On 18.06.09 I have visited historically and mythologically famous Kottiyoor Temple along with my daughterAnkitha, son Manikandan, wife Sheela and mother-in –law .I was visiting the temple for the first time. The divine energy which I have experienced while entering into the jungle prompted me to publish this post.Enroute to the temple we have visited Mamanam temple also.

LOCATION

The temple situates about 70km eastwards from Kannur City of Kerala State. From Thalassey people can reach here by traveling a distance of 60 km.The nearest Air Port is Calicut and Railway Station is Thalassery

STRUCTURE

The temple occupies its place in Western Ghat or Sahyadri Range with extravagant natural beauty. Uniqueness is that the temple consists of two identities. (1) Akkare Kottoyoor and (2)Ikkare Kottiyoor. In Akkarae Kottiyoor Temple poojas will be there through out the year except at the period of Vaishakhamahothsavam at Akkarae Kottiyoor.Akkare Kottiyoor will be opened only at the time of Vaishakha mahothsavam.
These two temples are differentiated by the river Bavali.The Bavali river originates from Wayanad Ghats and believed to be containing medicinal water. On the North side of the river there occupies the temple Akkara Kottiyoor.There can be seen a small lake called Thiruvanchira on the northern side of the river. where the imaginary sanctum sanctotrum situates. This particular pilgrim centre is devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddes Parvathy

SANCTUM SANCTORUM

The absence of physical sanctum sanctorum is a uniqueness of the temple. The Shiva Linga worshipped here is Swayambhoo or born on its own. . This Shiva Ling is believed to be not built by man. It is found on a small heap called Manithara in Thiruvanchira.In Thiruvanchira there can be seen another heap called Ammarakkallu where Goddess Parvathy is worshipped. Here the blessings of both Shiva and Parvathy are overflowing.

DERIVATION OF THE NAME

Kottiyoor is also known as Dhakshinakasi.. It is believed that all the blessings of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are felt here. and hence the name Koodiyoor ( Koodi= joined and Oor= land) was conferred. The name Koodiyoor later transformed to Kottiyoor.

VAISHAKHA MAHOTSAVAM

It is celebrated during May-June in every year which lasts for 28 days.The celebration involves many unique rituals and ceremonies.It commences with the ritual called Neyyattam and ends with Thrikkalasattu. Bringing of Muthirery Sword also signifies the commencement of the festival .E laneer veppu os also an important function observed here..It is the submitting of tender coconuts before the Swayambhoo Shivalinga.These tender coconuts werwe bruoght from different parts of the Malabar region.In Elaneerattam the water from the tender coconuts is poured on the linga by the Chief Priest .But in the ritual called Rohini Aradhana the Priest embraces the Linga. The myth behind this function is that the Brahma himself worshipped and hugs Shiva to pacify the loss of Sathi. The festival approaches the close by the ceremony called Ezhunnallippu in which the idols of Shiva and Parvathy were carried by two elephants.

SIGNIFICANCE OF KOTTIYOOR PILGRIMAGE

The kottiyoor pilgrimage is very significant in the present era

PHOTO GALLARY

Kottiyoor Temple festival is held in Akkare Kottiyoor temple, one among the two ancient ancient Shiva temples in Kottiyoor, 60km from Kannur; the other being Ikkare Kottiyoor temple. Akkare Kottiyoor temple remains open only on the festival days while the other remains closed during the festival. The annual vaisakha celebration which last for 27 days commences during the month of May-June with a ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirikavu from nearby Thavinal village, to Akkare Kottiyoor temple. The festival begins with offering 'Neyyattam' (pouring of ghee) on the Swati Day in Edavam and ends with 'Thirukalasattu'. An important ritual during the festival is the 'Ilaneer Veppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the deity. On that special day, thousands of tender coconuts from different parts of Malabar are submitted here. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as 'Elaneerattam'. As a part of the festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell. The elephants salute the deity and walk back accompanied by the beat of the percussion instruments while the devotees gather in large numbers to watch the spectacle.