Sri Mundakkal Karikalikavu, the primal seat (Moolasthanam) of the eighteen-and-a-half Karikali shrines, is located at a place called Kottapparambu in Puliyakkodu, within the Kuzhimanna village of Malappuram district.
According to legend, Sri Karikali arrived at Kottapparambu in Puliyakkodu after her battle with Sri Bhadrakali. Ancestors have passed down stories of several miraculous events associated with Mundakkal Karikalikavu. The small square-shaped well in the temple courtyard, said to have been created by the Goddess's sacred sword (Pallival), is one such example.
In the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil), Karikali and Bhadrakali reside facing two different directions — a very rare form of installation. Sri Karikali faces the east, while Sri Chovva Bhagavathi, also known as Bhadrakali, faces the west. Karuvettan, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, resides as a sub-deity (Upadevatha) on the northern side outside the main sanctum.
While daily consecration (Abhishekham) and food offerings (Nivedyam) are performed for Sri Karikali, for Chovva Bhagavathi, turmeric powder consecration and cucumber offerings are made only when the Chovva Vilakku ritual is conducted.
Another unique feature is that the western door of Chovva Bhagavathi opens only when seven Chovva Vilakku offerings coincide.
The consecration day (Pratishta Dinam) of Mundakkal Amma falls on the Ashwati asterism in the Malayalam month of Mithunam. The main festival celebrations of Sri Karikali are Thaalappoli, Karikali Thira, and Paalum Vellari.
Thaalappoli at Mundakkal Karikali Kavu is celebrated only in alternate years — on the flag-hoisting Tuesdays falling on or after the 15th of Edavam, so the Goddesses from other shrines may participate in Mundakkal Amma's festival.
If the festival does not take place in alternate years, custom requires Naattu Thaalappoli to be conducted every 12 years. Once the festival concludes and the festival flag is lowered, no festivals are customarily held in any other nearby shrines.
The fulfilment of desires, destruction of enemies, recovery from illness, matrimonial bliss, blessing of children, and academic success are attainable through the blessings of Mundakkal Amma.
The ritual of Mutturukkan, meaning breaking obstacles, holds greater significance here than in other temples — a coconut is cut with a knife right in front of the Goddess to shatter obstacles.
The Mandala Vilakku offering is highly significant for fulfilment of intended wishes. Other prominent offerings include Chovva Vilakku for Chovva Bhagavathi, cucumber offering for Karuvettan, and Karinpayasam, Koottupayasam, Niramala, Choroonu, and Ezhuthiniruthal for Karikali.
Most of the development at Sri Mundakkal Karikali Kavu has come from devotees whose prayers were answered. Unlike other temples, door-to-door fund collections are not conducted here — by divine will, devotees bring everything directly to the sacred presence.