Kottiyoor Temple – Kerala
Kottiyoor is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage center dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati located in the Kannur district of Kerala. This Kottiyoor Temple is situated in the valley of the Sabhya mountain range with abundant natural beauty. The river Bavali flows with medicinal waters from the Wayanad ghats on the banks of the temple. On the northern side of the river bank, there is a small lake called ‘Thiruvanchira’.
Also Read:
Thiruvarppu Sree Krishna Temple
The temple has a Shiva Lingam believed to be ‘Swayambhu’. Swayambhu means self-born or non-man-made. The small pile used to worship this Shivalinga is called ‘Manitara’. Abhishekam for Shiva Lingam is done with milk, ghee and karikku (light coconut water). In the same lake there is another mound ‘Ammarakallu’ where Sri Parvati Devi is buried. Thus, at Kottiyoor you get the blessings of both Shiva and Shakti. Kottiyur is also known as Kudiyur and Dakshina Kashi. Tricherumana, Vadakkunkau, Kijakkunkau and Vadakeswaram.
At Kottiyoor, there are two temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, facing the Bavali River. Akkare Kottiyoor is open only during Kottiyoor Vaishakh Mahotsavam.
Legend & History of Kottiyoor Temple
Daksha is one of the Prajapatis (king) who is the son of Lord Brahma. Sati Devi, the wife of Lord Shiva, is the daughter of Daksha. Sati married Shiva against her father. Daksha performed a great yajnam (with the sole aim of humiliating Lord shiva) to which he invited all the gods and goddess except Lord shiva who is his Son-in-law. Against Shiva’s wishes, Sati attends this yajna and is humiliated by her father. Unable to bear this insult, Sati was burnt in the Yajna fire.
Angered by the loss of Sati, Lord Shiva opened his third eye. Then Virabhadra appeared armed with 1000 weapons in each hand. He destroyed Daksha prajapati’s sacrifice and cut off his head.
As the sacrifice was stopped, the gods feared that many troubles would arise in the future. The gods along with Brahma and Vishnu went to Kailasa and sought the help of Shiva. As Lord Shiva calmed down, everyone reached the place of sacrifice and resumed the sacrifice. The dead were brought back to life. Daksha’s head was destroyed in the sacrificial fire and replaced by the head of a goat. Daksha pleaded with Lord Shiva for his pride and got salvation.
After the yagya, everyone goes back and Lord Shiva takes the form of Swayambhu Linga next to where Sati burned herself in the yajna fire. As the Trimurtis called Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva meet at this place it is known as Koodiyur. (Kudi in Malayalam means to meet or join). Koodiyur became Kottiyoor. So Kottiyoor is believed to be an ancient Dakshayaga site. Aada flowers/ Oda flowers are considered as Daksha’s beard.
Kottiyoor Temple Festival 2023:
May-June: Vaisakha Festival
The Vaisakha Mahotsavam festival is a twenty-eight-day festival that begins with the Neyyattam ritual on Swati (star) Day in the forest and ends with Trikalasathu. Vaisakha Mahotsavam festival celebrations begin with the ritual of bringing the sword from Muttirerikau in Wayanad. The next day, on Visakha Nakshatra, Bhandaram’s seven-year cycle takes place. Gold, silver vessels, celestial ornaments etc. are brought to Kottiyoor from the nearby village of Manathana.
Offering tender coconuts to the ‘Elanir Vayappu’ or Swayambhu Shivalinga is an important ritual during this festival. On this special day, devotees offer thousands of tender coconuts from different parts of Malabar. The next day, the head priest of the temple pours the collected coconut water on the idol called ‘Elanirattam’. Rohini worship is the most important ritual found in no other temple. As part of the ritual, the priest embraces the Swayambhu Shivalinga. The belief behind this ritual is that Brahma himself worships Lord Shiva to vanquish Sati. As part of the festivities, the idols of Shiva and Parvati are taken out in procession (ejunnallippu) with two elephants. After the procession, the elephants are well fed (anyutu) and given a formal farewell.
Visit Beaches in Kerala:
Kottiyoor Temple Timings:
Pujas at Akkare-Kottiyoor are held only for one month. From Choti (Swati) Nakshatra in Idava month to Chitira Nakshatra in Mithuna month. During this time the temple is open throughout the day. The Ikkare-Kottiyoor temple is kept open on all days (except festival days at Akkare-Kottiyoor) from 6 am to 8 pm for three pujas on opening days. Usha Puja at 8 am Uchcha Puja at 1 PM Attaja Puja at 7 pm.
Kottiyoor Temple Ulsavam 2023:
6 May-2023, Saturday – Prakkoozham
27-May-2023, Saturday – Neerezhunnallathu
1-June-2023, Thursday – Neyattam
2-June-2023, Friday – Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu (Mid night, Ladies will be Allowed only after this)
8-June-2023, Thursday – Thiruvonam Aradhana
10-June-2023, Saturday – Ilaneer Veypu
11-June-2023, Sunday – Ashtami Aradhana, Ilaneerattam
13-June-2023, Tuesday – Revathi Aradhana
17-June-2023, Saturday – Rohini Aradhana
19-June-2023, Monday – Thiruvathira Chathussatham
20-June-2023, Tuesday – Punartham Chathussatham
22-June-2023, Thursday – Aayilyam Chathussatham
23-June-2023, Friday – Makam Kalam Varavu (After 12.00PM, Ladies won’t be allowed)
27-June-2023, Tuesday – Atham Chathussatham, Valattam, Kalasa Pooja
28-June-2023, Wednesday – Thrukkalassattu
Dress Code for Kottiyoor Shiva temple
In the Kottiyoor temple, emphasis is placed on traditional Kerala clothing. Mens are not allowed to wear shirts or t-shirts. Shawls or towels are preferred over the upper torso of men. Women should wear saree or half saree. Other trendy dresses are not allowed into the temple.
Kottiyoor Temple Address :
Mahadeva Temple / Vadeswaram Temple,
Kottiyoor, Kannur District, Kerala State, Pincode – 670651
How to reach Kottiyoor Temple in Kerala?
By Airport: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to the temple at a distance of 101 km from the temple.
By Railway Station: Ernakulam Jn (South) Railway Station is the nearest railway station at a distance of 121 km from the temple.
Kottiyoor Temple Photos:
