Kottiyoor

Kottiyoor or Kottiyur, a famous pilgrim center , Situated on the eastern border of Kannur district in Talassery Taluk, Kerala. It is famous for Temple Festival. A very old Siva temple also known as the "Dakshina Kashi" or "Varanasi of the South" attracts Lakhs of devotees every year during the "Vaisakha" celebrations.The idol here is considered “swayambhoo” ie., nobody installed the idol here, but people just discovered the Siva idol there and started worshipping. There is no temple as such sans the "thara" formed by a small heap of stones, called “Manithara”. This is the only visible signs of the ancient temple that draws thousands of faithful every year. Many feel the Siva power is solidified as the idol here. Neyyabhishekam, Elaneerattam (Tender Coconut water Abhisheka) are famous here. It is near by the bank of River Bavalee. The river is considered holy by devotees.

Akkare Kottiyoor

Kottiyur is different. You will feel it when you step into the tranquil surroundings of the temple. Set amid a jungle area nourished by river Bavali in Kannur district, the temple is known as the Varanasi of the South. (Varanasi is a religiously prominent town on the shores of river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The famous Vishwanatha temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva).

At Kottiyur, there are two temples– Akkare Kottiyur and Ikkare Kottiyur, located on the opposite banks of Bavali river. The festivities at Kottiyur begin with a sword from the Muthirikavu Temple in Tavinal village being taken to the Ikkare Kottiyur temple. It is believed that this sword was the one with which the mythical character Dakshan was hacked to death by Lord Shiva and is today an object of daily worship at the Muthirikavu Temple. The temple is believed to be located on the spot of the ancient Dakshayaga.

Ikkare Kottiyoor

Kottiyoor Festival is the only one temple having the plea for Gods and Ghosts. The Auda Flower( white fibres flowing down and looks very much like a white beard) is the sysmbol of kottiyoor festival, auda flowers are the beard of the ancient king Daksha, who was held a yaga in this place. On the orders of Lord Siva, his demons beheaded Daksha. Later, conceding to the plea of Brahma and Vishnu, Lord Siva gave life to Daksha and completed the yaga.Auda Flower is an artificial flower made by bamboo, but it will be created only that festival season . This Auda Flower ,we can’t get anywhere out of Kottiyoor. It has a story related” Dakshayaga” and Loard Shiva.

The festival season is the second longest season festival in Kerala. It will be 28 days. The 28 days long annual festival here commences on the Chothi asterism in the Malayalam month of Edavam (May-June) and culminates on the Chithira asterism of the Mithunam month (June- July).The festival will be in rainy season


Innumerable temple rites are performed here during the festival time of one month. Remaining period the Akkare temple is closed