It is one of the famous Devi temples, situated hardly 1.5 km away from the Mofussil Bus stand and 2.5 km from the KSRTC Bus stand, the area still retains the beauty and charm of un-spoilt rural settings within the heart of the Kozhikode city.

The temple and the Kalayana Mandapom (Azhakodi Devi Mandiram) are administered by the Malabar Devaswom Board.

The most ancient and historically renowned temple "Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram" has its deity in the form of "Bhadrakali" in a calm disposition.

The temple consists of seven maternal incarnations: Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi.

Centuries ago, the site of ‘Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram’ was believed to have been an islet bordered by ocean in the west.

Writing the letter 'Aaaaa' on the tip of the child’s tongue, many seek the blessing of ‘Vidhya Devi’ (The goddess of knowledge).

Young girls, from far & wide, make the offering hoping to win a suitor and thousands will bear testimony to the goddess’s benevolence.

Ancient sculptures have it that the saffron powder, ‘Sindhoor’, on the forehead of the ‘Apsaras’, Urvasi and Menaka and the shimmer of the rubies on the Deva’s crown are caused by the red colour on Devi’s feet.

The ‘sindhoor’ on the forehead of married women symbolizes that they have said their prayers and paid respect to Devi.

One of the wonders of ‘Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram’ was the banayan tree on the eastern side of the main entrance to the temple.

Legend has it that the erstwhile ruler of "Kozhikode", the Samoothiri, gave six of his generals to the temple "Arikkodikkavu", which is presently the renowned "Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram".

To her right is goddess ‘Bhuvaneswari’ and to her left are the seven maternal incarnations’ Brahmani, Maaheshwari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaarahi, Indrani and Chamundi.

When they started abusing their mighty powers, lord ‘Shiva’ through his third eye gave form to an incarnation that reduced the ‘Tripuras’ to ashes.