Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple Timings:
3:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Kottiyoor or Kottiyur is a famous Hindu pilgrim center devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The proper name of the temple here is Sri Kottiyoor Mahadeva Kshetram. Kottiyoor temple is located near Kelakam in Kannur district of the southern state Kerala. Sri Kottiyoor temple is also known as the “Dakshina Kashi” or “Varanasi of the South” and attracts lakhs of devotees every year during the “Vaisakha Maholsavam” celebrations.
Kottiyoor is totally different from any other temple. Set amidst the jungle, nourished by a flowing river in serene surroundings, you will feel the divine energy the moment you step on this mythical land. Continue exploring this site to know more about Kottiyoor temple.
Kottiyoor Temple is also known by the names Kudiyoor, Dakshina Kashi. Thricherumana, Vdakkumkaavu, Kizhakkumkaavu and Vadakeeswaram.
At Kottiyoor, there are two temples – Akkare Kottiyur and Ikkare Kottiyur, located on the opposite banks of Bavali river. Akkare Kottiyur is open during the Kottiyoor Vaisakha Maholsavam festival only.
Kottiyoor Lord Siva Temple Dress Code:
At Kottiyoor Temple, Kerala traditional attire is preferred. Men are not allowed to wear shirt or t-shirt. Shawls are preferred on upper torso of men.
About Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple:
Kottiyoor or Kottiyur is an ancient Hindu pilgrim center devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in Kannur district, Kerala. The temple is situated on the beautiful Sahya mountain range valley and is blessed with abundant natural beauty. The Bavali river with her medicinal waters flow from the Wayanad ghats on the banks of the temple. On the northern side of the river bank, there is a small lake known as ‘Thiruvanchira’ and here in the midst of this lake is this temple sans temple.
The temple has a Shiva linga believed to be a ‘swayambhu’. Swayambhu means born on his own or not man made. The small heap where this Shiva linga is worshipped is known as ‘Manithara’. The abhishekam for the Shiva linga is with milk, ghee (clarified butter) and karikku (tender coconut water). In the same lake, there is another heap ‘Ammarakallu’ where Sree Parvati Devi is worshipped. This way, at Kottiyoor you get the blessings of both Shiva and Shakthi.
Kottiyoor is also known by the names Kudiyoor, Dakshina Kashi. Thricherumana, Vdakkumkaavu, Kizhakkumkaavu and Vadakeeswaram.
At Kottiyoor, there are two temples – Akkare Kottiyur and Ikkare Kottiyur, located on the opposite banks of Bavali river. Akkare Kottiyur is open during the Kottiyoor Vaisakha Maholsavam festival only.
Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple Mythology:
Daksha is son of Brahma and one of the Prajapatis. Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. The vain Daksha performed a great yagna/ yaga(with the sole aim of insulting Shiva), to which he invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son in law Lord Shiva. Against Shiva’s wishes, Sati attended this yagna and was insulted by her father. Unable to bear this insult, Sati immolated herself in the yagna fire.
Enraged at the loss of Satidevi, Shiva opened his third eye. Then appeared Veerabhadra with a 1000 arms and carrying weapons in each hand. He destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice and cut off Daksha’s head.
Since the yaga was stopped, the Gods feared that many difficulties may arise in the future. The Gods along with Brahma and Vishnu went to Kailas and sought Shiva’s help. Shiva was pacified and all of them reached the yaga place and restored the yaga. The dead were brought back to life. Daksha’s head was destroyed in the yaga fire and was replaced by a goats head. Daksha pleaded to Shiva for his arrogance and was given Moksha.
After the yaga, every one went back and Lord Shiva took the form of the swayambhu linga next to where Sati immolated herself in the yagna fire. Since all the Trimoorthies or the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva met together at this place, it was known as Koodiyoor (Koodi in malayalam means meet or join). Koodiyoor became Kottiyoor.
So Kottiyoor is believed to be the spot of the ancient Dakshayaga. The auda flowers/ odapoo is considered as the beard of Daksha.
Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple Festivals:
The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is held every year during the months of May – June. The twenty eight day festival commences with the Neyyattam ritual on the Swati Day in Edavam and concludes with the Thrikkalashaattu.
The Vaisakha Maholsavam celebrations begin with the ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu from Wayanad. On the following day, on Visakham star Bhandaram Ezhunnallath ritual is held. Gold, Silver vessels, heavenly ornaments etc are brought from nearby Manathana village to Kottiyoor.
An important ritual during the festival is the ‘Elaneer Vayppu’ or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. On this special day, thousands of tender coconuts carried from different parts of Malabar by the devotees are submitted. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as ‘Elaneeraattam’.
Rohini Aaradhana is a very important ritual which is not seen in any other temple. The priest embraces the swayambhu Shiva linga as part of the ritual. The belief behind this ritual is that Brahma himself worships Lord Shiva to pacify for the loss of Sati.
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.
1) Neerezhunnallathu
2) Neyattam
3) Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu (Mid night, Ladies will be Allowed only after this)
4) Thiruvonam Aradhana
5) Ilaneer Veypu
6) Ashtami Aradhana, Ilaneerattam
7) Revathi Aradhana
8) Rohini Aradhana
9) Thiruvathira Chathussatham
10) Punartham Chathussatham
11) Aayilyam Chathussatham
12) Makam Kalam Varavu (After 12.00 PM, Ladies won’t be allowed)
13) Atham Chathussatham, Valattam, Kalasa Pooja
14) Thrukkalassattu
Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple Route:
Kottiyoor is connected by bus from Thalassery, Kannur (Cannanore) and Mananthavady. Special bus services are arranged during Vaisakha Maholsavam from Thalassery to accomodate the large number of devotees.
If you are coming to Kottiyooor with own transport, the drive to Kottiyoor is very scenic and roads are in good condition. If you are coming from Calicut or Kannur side, reach Thalassery and then take the Koothuparamba, Nedumpoyil, Kelakam road.
If you are coming from Wayanad, Mysore, Bangalore side, reach Bathery and then take the Mananthavady road. From Mananthavady, ask for Kannur Road and drive around 10 kilometers. There will be a road going towards right here and is easy to miss. You will find a sign which says “Boys Town x kms”, you need to turn right here. This is the start of the ghat section (Paal Churam) that will get you down from Wayanad. Another 10 Kms, you will reach a place called Ambayathod. Drive straight to Kottiyoor from here.
Ample parking facilities will be arranged around Sri Kottiyoor temple during the festival season
Distance to Kottiyoor from Major Towns/ City
Kannur (Cannanore) – 70 Kms
Thalassery – 60 Kms
Calicut – 125 Kms
The closest Railway station Thalassery is 60 Kms away. The closest Airport is at Calicut.
Kottiyoor Lord Shiva Temple Address:
Sree Kottiyoor Devaswom,
Kottiyoor Post Office,
Kelakam,
Kannur District,
Kerala – 670651
Phone: 0490 2430234, 2430434
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