When the goddess answered a devotee's prayer

There is a charming legend about the founding of Paravur Mookambika temple. One of the kings who reigned in Paravur long ago used to visit the Kollur Mookambika temple regularly. When age overtook him, and he could no longer undertake the journey, he grieved that he could not continue the pilgrimages and called on the Goddess for relief. Lo! he had a message from Her: it was a blessing to install a temple to Her in his own domains. And so was this temple established. The fame of the temple spread all around.

The installation of the Goddess here is similar to that at Kollur. Unlike other temples, it is in the middle of a tank, and the shrine is surrounded on all sides by water. Perambulation is along a pathway built over the water-spread. It is reminiscent of the Sowparnika in Kollur.

Lotuses bloom in this water. In the sanctum, the installation is resplendent on a full-blown lotus flower. Clad in pure white, She is four-armed, and seated on a white lotus. In one of Her left hands is a white lotus, and in another, a manuscript on palm leaves. In the right hands, are - a rosary of letters, and the mudra denoting exposition. Peculiarly, the worship is from an upper level.

The main celebration is that of the Navaratri. This is perceived as the auspicious occasion for initiating children in letters, and for novices in dance and music. Many offer a music performance as their homage during Navaratri.

Another unique feature is the offering of a medicinal preparation. This is administered to children in order to make their intelligence keen, and enable them to be adept in learning. It is considered auspicious to keep pens to be used for answering examination questions in front of the installation for a blessing.