There are two temples here. One is Ikkare kottiyoor which is permanent shrine while the other is the Akkare kottiyoor which lacks and formal shrine and consists of only thatched huts like that of a hermitage.The Akkare kottiyoor temple remains closed throughout the year except during the Vaishakha month (May-June). It is believed to be the place where Daksha Yaga was held and the place where Sati immolated herself and commited suicide. This temple is totally different from any other temple I visited. It is set amidst dense forests and lacks any permanent structures. The whole place resembles a yaga bhoomi by itself. A pristine river, Bavali flows through the banks of the yaga bhoomi. The Swayamboo Shiva linga shrine stands amidst a pond. Devotees circumambulate the shrine within the pond mostly in rains. The pond is connected to the river. This is a place where nature and faith binds.Temple pilgrimage is a rarity where each community is given right to perform specific rituals and duties of their own. All the rituals performed have a uniqueness of their own. Elaneer vaypp, Elaneerattam, Rohini aradhana etc. are some important days of the Vaishakha Mahotsavam. The whole place gives you very different vibe. Its a must visit place for many reasons.

No words can explain the feel of this place, everyone should experience the beauty and peace of the nature by visiting this place. It's not only a place for worship a typical idol but also a place were we can mingle with nature's beauty. Actually there are two temples namely "Akkara kottiyoor" and "Ikkara kottiyoor", gates facing to each other. Akkara kottiyoor is situated on the bank of river Bavali. And is only opened for 27days in Vaishaka masa, rest of the year it is closed. But Ikkara kottiyoor is opened throughout the year. Here lord Shiva is the idol. Ikkara kottiyoor is beside the road, but to reach Akkara kottiyoor we have to walk some distance and cross the river Bavali. Literally it's surrounded by water on four sides and the speciality is that the idol is not installed inside any walls or anything but in open space roofed by palm leaves. Devotees walkthrough this water bodies and pray. The view from this place is fantastic and mind-blowing. The place will be more and more beautiful when it's rain. In particular time we can see "Chakyar Koothu". The important ritual during the festival is the 'Elaneer Vayppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. People used to buy "Odapoovu" (bamboo flower) to hang on their house and car for fortune and interruptions facing in life. There are so many shops and hotels were the pilgrims can buy things. Public toilets are also available. In the river pilgrims used to bath before they enters the temple but it's not a mandatory thing. There is no dress code for women but men should not wear T-shirt or shirts while entering the temple, also Lungi is not permitted meanwhile Pants, jeans, mundu are Ok. I personally suggest everyone to take a spare dress because as the festival is celebrating on rainy season there is a chance for rain and may get wet because as there is no particular place to stand while raining. In the case of transportation you can prefer any vehicles public or private. Parking facilities are available, both paid and unpaid. Special Public buses are chartered for the festival season from Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode, etc You can also visit Paal churam which is just 6km from kottiyoor.

It's an excellent Temple in North Kerala.....Worshipping God Siva....The akkare kottiyoor only opens in May - June season..It's better to come here about 2-3 pm...so we can avoid crowd... Evening I am not suggesting because there will be a chance of heavy Rain .. Excellent spot with family and friends...There are good facilities for car parking etc...Have a nice day!!

Kottiyoor Temple is a prominent Shiva temple in Kottiyoor, Kannur, Kerala,India. Vadakkeshwaram Temple is the common name of the temple from ancient times, but some of the local people address the temple as Ikkare Kottiyoor as it is on the bank of the river close to the Kottiyoor village, to differentiate it from the shrine in the other side of the river. Thruchherumana Kshetram is also another name by which temple is known. The temple is a special category temple under Malabar Devaswom board

One need to really experience this place. A Divine environment on the lap of nature. There isn't a difference between the nature and Godliness and this realisation is for sure for one who visit this place. Well organised by the temple authorities. For one's who is traveling from long distance, there is clock room facility to put their baggage.

There are two Kottiyoor temples. They are Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor. Akkare Kottiyoor which breaks conventional pictures of temples in your mind. It is basically surrounded by water and you can walk in that water to reach the temple and offer prayers. During special Utsav there will be a huge rush of devotees. Restrooms and baggage clock room facilities are available. There will be a wide variety of festival shopping options during Utsav. Please note that women are not allowed at the Akkare Kottiyoor temple before the Bhandaramezhunnallathu on Vishakham day and after the noon Seeveli on Makam day which usually happens in May and in June

There is two temple is here.. ikkare kottiyoor(ഇക്കരെ കൊട്ടിയൂര്‍) and akkare kottiyoor( അക്കരെ കൊട്ടിയൂര്‍) ikkare kottiyoor temple is open every day and you can visit eny time.. akkare kottiyoor is only opens just one month in a year. May, june is the festival time.. the temple is surrounded with full of greenerys and river, if you visit once here you will definitely will come next year..

Kottiyoor is also known as the Varanasi of the south. There are two temples namely Akkare Kottiyoor Shiva Temple and Ikkare Kottiyoor Shiva Temple. Akkare and Ikkare in Malayalam means either sides of river / waterbody. Kottiyoor Shiva Temple is located over the banks of river Bavali River.(Vavali Puzha). Akkare temple is only open for Devotees during the Vyshakholsavam during May-June. Kottiyoor is located near hill side on the Wayanad side of Kannur District. Kottiyoor Temple even have a rich mythological backstory about Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Sati (Dakshayani). Where Lord Veerabadhra (an Avatar of Lord Shiva) avenged Goddess Sati's death by beheading Dakshaprajapati and then resurrected by placing a head of Goat (Aja, goat in Samskrit) Akkare temple's chief shrine is surrounded by water 24x7 throughout the year, where the water is irritated through river Bavali. One of the chief attraction of kottiyoor is the "odapoovu" a white hairy like structure considered to be the "Jada" of Lord Shiva, which is now locally made using Bamboo stalk. Ikkare Temple is just like other ordinary Lord Shiva Temple open for devotees anytime throughout the year. Kottiyoor Shiva Temple has two Elephants, Ganeshan and Sooryanarayanan. Om Namah Shivay!

Kottiyoor Siva temples, an ancient pilgrimage destination in North Kerala, is situated in the peaceful hilly area of the Western Ghats. On the opposite banks of the Bavali River situate two temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor. Akkare Kottiyoor opens only for twenty-eight days during Vaishakhamahotsavam - the annual festival of the temple, which falls in the months of May-June. During that time, Ikkare Kottiyoor remains closed. The history of the temple is associated with Daksha Yaga. According to Hindu mythology, Dakshaprajapathi, not pleased with his daughter’s marriage to Lord Shiva, decided to conduct a Yaga [sacrifice] at this place without informing his daughter Sati Devi and Lord Shiva. Sati Devi unaware of his intention, visited the yagabhumi, the site, but was insulted by her father. Hurt and humiliated, she committed suicide with her yogashakti [spiritual power]. Distraught and enraged by this act, Lord Shiva did the Thandavanritham [destructive dance] as Veerabhadra and decapitated Daksha. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and other gods came to pacify Lord Shiva. Later, Shiva replaced Daksha’s head with a goat’s head. Hence this place is said to have the divine presence of the Trinity – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The restoration of the temple took place during the time of Shankaracharya, and rituals of the festival were set out by him. Ikkare Kottiyoor is a formal temple complex like any other temple. On the other hand, the Akkare Kottiyoor temple stands in the middle of a pond and does not have any formal structure. The Swayambhoo Shiva Linga is placed on a platform raised with river stones. The Vaishakamahotsavam starts with Neyyattam [ablution using ghee] and ends with Elaneerattam [ablution using tender coconut water] which are special rituals in the temple. Kottiyoor is said to be a place where Nature, man and God become one. Temple Timings: 05.30 am to 08.00 pm

Kottiyur Temple is a divine sanctuary nestled amidst lush greenery. Its serene ambience and architectural beauty captivate visitors. The spiritual vibes and sacred rituals leave a profound impact. A must-visit destination for seekers of tranquility and religious significance.

Kottiyoor Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kottiyoor, Kannur district, Kerala, India. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Kerala and is known for its annual Vaisakha Maholsavam festival, which is held in the month of May and June. The temple is believed to have been founded by Parashurama, a Hindu sage who is credited with carving out the land of Kerala from the sea. The temple is said to be one of the 108 Shivalayas that Parashurama built in Kerala. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of a lingam. The lingam is said to be self-manifested, or swayambhu. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Vishnu, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and other Hindu deities. The temple is open to all Hindus, regardless of caste or creed. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year, especially during the Vaisakha Maholsavam festival. The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is a 27-day festival that is held in the month of May and June. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show and features a variety of rituals, performances, and processions. The festival begins with a flag hoisting ceremony. This is followed by a series of rituals, including abhisekham (sacred bath), aarattu (water procession), and archana (prayer).

I had a great experience in this beautiful Shiva temple.I have no words to explain my experience.But I realy enjoyed myself when I am gone there.

Shiva, the supreme being dwells in this divine place. Must Visit Place if you are a Shiv Bhakth.

Kottiyoor Vaisakha festival. The festival takes place at the Kottiyoor temple on the days from Choti Nakshatra in the month of Idava to Chithira Nakshatra in the month of Mithuna (starting from mid-May to mid-June). The festival lasts for 28 days. Festival of Gods from Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu day to Uthradam day. A festival of men from Tiruvonam to Ayilyam. Makam is believed to be the festival of demons. Kottiyoor is the place where Sati's father, Daksha, performed a sacrifice to insult Lord Shiva. After Sabarimala in Kerala, Akare Kottiur is the most visited temple during festivals. Bavalipuzha, a tributary of the Valapatnam River, cuts Kottiyoor in two. Ikare Kottiyoor Temple is on the south side of the river. There is a permanent temple here. Akare Kottiyoor temple is on the north side. At Akare Kottiyoor, where the Vaisakh festival is held, a temple will be built exclusively for the festival. During the festival, there will be no pujas at Kotiyur temple. It is believed that Kottiyur is the place where the Daksha Yagam took place. Sati's father, Daksha, who did not like Sati's marriage to Lord Shiva, invited everyone from the fourteen worlds except Shiva and performed a yaga. Even though he was not invited, he went to watch the Sati sacrifice. There, saddened by Daksha's insult to Lord Shiva, Sati committed suicide by jumping into the sacrificial fire. Lord Shiva who was in Kailasa got angry and tore the flesh and threw it on the ground. From that Veerabhadra was born. Virabhadra went to the sacrificial altar and plucked off Daksha's beard and bowed his head. Shiva performed the Tandava dance. The gods, sages and Brahma Vishnu approached Shiva and pacified him. Daksha's head was scattered in the middle, so Shiva revived Daksha by adding a goat's head. The sacrifice was also completed. Later that area became forest.

Kottiyoor temple is located near Kelakam in Kannur district. This Hindu pilgrim center is devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.Sri Kottiyoor temple is also known as the "Dakshina Kashi".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.lakhs of devotees came here every year during the "Vaisakha Maholsavam" celebrations held between May- June This place is believed the place where Daksha Yaga held in Puranas. As per legend, Sati ended her life at the spot of Dhaksha Yaga as she could not bear the insult of her father Dhaksha towards her husband Lord Shiva. Knowing the death of his consort, furious Shiva killed Dhaksha and destroyed the Yaga. Later a pacified Shiva brought Dhaksha back to life. His lost head was replaced by a goat’s head. Dhaksa became a devotee of Lord Shiva. Sati reincarnated as Parvati and later became Shiva’s consort.The place where gods Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva met became known as Koodiyoor. Koodi in Malayalam means together and ooru means place. Koodiyoor later became Kottiyoor.

One of the beautiful Shiva Temple. You can experience the beauty of nature here. River,mountain's nice view. Actually there are two temples namely "Akkara kottiyoor" and "Ikkara kottiyoor", gates facing to each other. Akkara kottiyoor is situated on the bank of river Bavali. And is only opened for 27days in Vaishaka masa, rest of the year it is closed. But Ikkara kottiyoor is opened throughout the year. Here lord Shiva is the idol. Ikkara kottiyoor is beside the road, but to reach Akkara kottiyoor we have to walk some distance and cross the river Bavali. Literally it's surrounded by water on four sides and the speciality is that the idol is not installed inside any walls or anything but in open space roofed by palm leaves. Devotees walkthrough this water bodies and pray. The view from this place is fantastic and mind-blowing. The place will be more and more beautiful when it's rain. In particular time we can see "Chakyar Koothu". The important ritual during the festival is the 'Elaneer Vayppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. People used to buy "Odapoovu" (bamboo flower) to hang on their house and car for fortune and interruptions facing in life. There are so many shops and hotels were the pilgrims can buy things. Public toilets are also available. In the river pilgrims used to bath before they enters the temple but it's not a mandatory thing. There is no dress code for women but men should not wear T-shirt or shirts while entering the temple, also Lungi is not permitted meanwhile Pants, jeans, mundu are Ok. I personally suggest everyone to take a spare dress because as the festival is celebrating on rainy season there is a chance for rain and may get wet because as there is no particular place to stand while raining.

Kottiyoor Temple is one of the oldest hindu pilgrimage spot in the planet. The temple is located in southern India, north part of Kerala state. Kottiyoor Temple situated on the beautiful Sahya mountain range valley and is blessed with abundant natural beauty. 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. As per calculations the, area needed for construction of a temple was so vast that it would be impossible to construct an edifice of this magnitude. Hence, even today the temple exists in the form of several small temples, almost 72 numbers. Every person connected with temple activities resides within this boundary. In the middle of the circular water pond, is a semicircular raised "Thara" – the Manithara.

Ancient lord Shiva temple🙏. Devotees are best to wear Mundhu or pants up the knees since the diety pradakshina is through waters bare chested. It's has rich history going many centuries. It's only active during specific month of the year. Amazing experience 🙏.