Parasinikadavu and Kottiyoor Temples, Kannur, Kerala

A short 2 days pilgrimage visit to Parasinikadavu and Kottiyoor temples, Kannur, Kerala, India

I visited Parasinikadavu and Kottiyoor temples in October 2018.

Kottiyoor Temple:

Kottiyoor temple is situated in the Kottiyoor village, East Kannur almost 65 Kilometers from Kannur Town. Since it is on the eastern side of Kannur, it falls under the Western Ghats region of Kannur. The huge hills ,valleys and dense forests – iconic landmarks of the Western Ghats can be experienced here.

This is a prominent Shiva temple in the state of Kerala and also known as ‘Varanasi of the South’ (Dakshinakashi)

There are two temples in Kottiyoor – one on the western bank of the Bavali river- and the other being on the eastern bank.

Also known as Ikkare and Akkare Kottiyoor.

The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is held every year during the months of May – June. The twenty-seven-day festival commences with the Neyyattam ritual on the Swati Day in Edavam and concludes with the Thrikkalashaattu.

The temple on the east bank (Akkare Kottiyoor) is a temporary place of worship (its located in dense forest). It is open only during the Vysakha festival. The temple on the west bank Ikkare Kottiyoor is a permanent one like other Hindu temples and you can visit this temple any time of the year (except on some special occasions).

There is a lot of history behind these 2 temples. As per the legends, Kottiyoor is the place where the ancient king Daksha performed Daksha Yaga.

I travelled to Kottiyoor temple from Kannur. The last private bus that starts from Kannur Bus stand to Kottiyoor is between 3- 3:30 PM (don’t recollect the exact timing now) and it takes around 2.5 hrs to reach the destination. Also please keep in mind the last private bus from Kottiyoor is at 7 PM and its to Thalassery. Also there are 1-2 long route KSRTC buses that go through this route to Thalassery and other places. Keep these timings in mind, so that you can plan your journey accordingly.

I was surprised to see that there was no rush at the temple . To be frank, at 6:30 PM, I was the only person in the temple. What I understood from the local shop vendors was the temple receives the highest number of pilgrimage in the festival season after Sabarimala and remaining days, there is no rush at all.

Websites:

http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/

http://www.kottiyoortemple.com/

Address:

Sree Thricherumanna Alias Kottiyoor Devaswom

P.O. Kottiyoor, Kannur Dist, Pin-670 651
Tel : +91 490 2430234 , 2430434
Fax: 0480 2430234
e-Mail: info@kottiyoordevaswom.com,
kottiyoordevaswom@yahoo.com

Parassinikkadavu Temple:

Sri Muthappan Temple is located at Parassinikadavu 20 kms from Kannur Town, on the banks of Valapatnam River.

The first bus that starts from Kannur bus stand is a KSRTC bus (6 AM- 6:30 AM, I don’t recollect the exact timing now). The bus picks passengers from both private and KSRTC bus stations.

This temple is unique for its worship styles and rituals. Unlike other temples here the offerings to the deity include toddy [an extract from coconut trees], fish and meat. Also, people from any religion can enter this temple. Happened to see a lot of foreigners visiting this temple.

There is a lot of history behind this temple. Unlike other temples, the devotees can ‘interact’ with the God as they pour out their grievances in a free-wheeling ‘chat’ with the tastefully decorated “Muthappan Theyyam,” an artist who assumes ‘divinity’ by representing the God.

Sree Muthappan is always accompanied by a dog. Dogs are considered sacred here and one can see dogs in large numbers in and around the temple.

You can see two carved bronze dogs at the entrance of the temple that are believed to symbolize the bodyguards of the God. When the Prasad is ready, it is first served to a dog that is always ready inside the temple complex.

From the Bus stand to the temple, you will have to cover a lot of steps. So be prepared for this.

Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple generally remains open in all seasons of the year.

Timing:

Vellattam and Thiruvappana are performed everyday morning from 5:45 and 8 AM.

Vellattam is also performed in the evening around 6:30 PM.

Thiruvappana is not performed on the following days:

1) Thulam 1^st to Vrishchikam 15^th, every year
2) Amaavasi (new moon) day of Karkkitakam and Thulam
3) ‘Nira’ day of the temple
4) When there is a death in the Madappura family.

The temple provides free meals and free accommodation to everyone who comes there.

There is also the supply of tea and boiled ‘Red cow beans (Vanpayar)’ along with coconut pieces, as prasadam.