Kottiyoor, Kerala · usually early May to late June
Kottiyoor Temple Festival
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Kottiyoor Temple Festival
When is Kottiyoor Temple Festival 2027?
Kottiyoor Temple Festival usually runs early May to late June. Exact dates are not announced yet.
How the dates are set: The festival runs from the Chothi asterism of the Malayalam month of Edavam to the Chithira asterism of Midhunam, typically between May and June.
Kottiyoor Temple Festival schedule
- First day: The Neyyattam ritual (pouring of ghee), begun by bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu in Wayanad.
- During the festival: Rituals include Bhandaram Ezhunnallath (gold and silver vessels brought from Manathana village), Rohini Aaradhana, Elaneer Vayppu (tender coconuts offered), and Ezhunnallippu, a procession with elephants.
- Last day: The Thirukalasattu ritual closes the festival, and the head priest pours the collected tender coconut water over the idol (Elaneerattam).
Sources: keralatourism.org, keralatourism.org
Getting to Kottiyoor Temple Festival
- Kottiyoor is around 65 km from Kannur city and well connected by road. The nearest railway station is Thalassery and the nearest airport is Kannur International Airport.
Source: trekentrip.com
History of Kottiyoor Temple Festival
According to legend, the temple stands where the ancient Daksha Yaga took place. Sati immolated herself in the yagna fire, and Shiva created Veerabhadra, who destroyed the yagna. The festival attracts over 100,000 participants.
Source: keralatourism.org
Kottiyoor Temple Festival: questions people ask
Where is Kottiyoor Temple?
On the banks of the River Bavali in Kannur district, Kerala. The two temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, face each other across the river.
Is Kottiyoor Temple open all year?
Only Ikkare Kottiyoor is open all year. Akkare Kottiyoor opens only during the festival days.
What is the Kottiyoor temple festival?
It is a 28-day festival, the Vaishaka Mahotsavam, hosted by two temples and rooted in the legend of the Daksha Yaga.
How do I get to Kottiyoor?
Kottiyoor is around 65 km from Kannur city. Thalassery is the nearest railway station and Kannur International Airport the nearest airport.
Sources: keralatourism.org, keralatourism.org, trekentrip.com
About Kottiyoor Temple Festival
A 28-day forest festival on the banks of the Bavali River, when the Akkare Kottiyoor shrine opens for the only time each year.
The Kottiyoor Vaishaka Mahotsavam is a 28-day festival hosted by two temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, on opposite banks of the Bavali River in Kannur district. The Akkare shrine has no formal temple building: a self-created Shiva lingam sits on a platform of river stones, and it opens only during the festival. Over 100,000 people take part. Dates follow the Malayalam calendar, so they shift each year.
Know before you go
- The Akkare Kottiyoor shrine is open only during the festival; the Ikkare Kottiyoor temple is open all year.
- Thalassery is the nearest railway station.
- Kannur International Airport (CNN) is the nearest airport; Kottiyoor is around 65 km from Kannur city.
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