Kottiyoor Siva Temple

Introduction to the Kottiyoor Temple

Kottiyoor Temple is located on the banks of the Bavali River in Kannur, Kerala. Thruchherumana Kshetram is its original name. The Kizhakkeshwaram or 'Akkare Kottiyoor' and the Vadakkeshwaram or 'Ikkare Kottiyoor' are the two temples in Kottiyoor located on the eastern and western banks of the River Bavali. During the Vaishakha festival, only the Kizhakkeshwaram or Akkare Kottiyoor Temple, a temporary hermitage, is open. The Vadakkeshwaram or Ikkare Kottiyoor Temple (the main temple) is closed throughout the year except for twenty-seven days for the Vaishakha festival.

The Malabar Devaswom board administers the Kottiyoor Temple. The twin temples, Ikkare Kottiyoor and Akkare Kottiyoor, are major attractions and popular pilgrim sites in Kerala. The Kottiyoor Temple is also called Dakshina Kashi.

Legend of the Kottiyoor Temple

According to the legend, once Prajapati Daksha, Sati's father, performed a Yagna at this place without inviting Sati and Shiva. Sati went to the spot to meet him. But Daksha insulted both Sati and Shiva before his guests. The humiliated Sati suddenly jumped into the Yagna fire and immolated herself. When Shiva learned of her death, he went to the Yagna. A furious Shiva opened his third eye and destroyed Daksha and the Yagna. Later, Vishnu and Brahma requested Shiva to revive Daksha so that he could complete the Yagna. Daksha realized his mistake and started worshipping Shiva at this place. Shiva appeared before him here in the form of Swayambhu Lingam.

The Architecture of the Kottiyoor Temple

The Kottiyoor Temple is in a dense forest amidst a sacred grove covering 80 acres of land. The temple on the western bank, Ikkare Kottiyoor, is where Shiva graces as a Swayambhu Lingam at Manithara, along with his consort Parvati. Due to the absence of a sanctum, the devotees worship Sati (Parvati) on a raised platform, 'Ammarakkalu Thara,' adjacent to the Swayambhu Lingam. It is one of the oldest Shakti Peethas.

An ancient holy sword from Muthirerikavu is taken in a procession from Wayanad, and the rituals begin with pouring ghee on the idol, which is placed in a thatched hut. During the festivities, Ikkare Kottiyoor does not observe any rituals. The main Prasad is called Odappoo.

Festivals in the Kottiyoor Temple

The Kottiyoor Temple grandly celebrates the Vaishakha festival, which is held between May and June. It lasts for 28 days, and hordes of devotees visit the temple to worship the deity and participate in the rituals and ceremonies. Women devotees are prohibited from participating in the Vaishakha festival on the last three days.

During the festival, Ilaneer Veppu (offering of tender coconuts) and Ilaneerattu (consecration of the temple idol with coconut water) are the chief rituals performed in the Kottiyoor Temple. Prakuzham, Neerezhunnallath, Neyyattam, Bhandara Ezhunnellal, Ilaneerattam, Kalavaravu, and Kalabhattam are other rituals performed during the festival.