Akkare Kottiyoor Maha Siva Temple Kottiyoor,Kerala

Kottiyoor Temple is a prominent Shiva temple in Kottiyoor, Kannur, Kerala, India. It was under the Kattan dynasty of Puralimala, from which the name ‘Katti-yoor’ originated. This name later evolved into Kottiyoor in the local dialect. 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.

There are two temples in Kottiyoor, one on the western bank of the Vavali river and the other one on the eastern bank. The shrine on the east bank (Kizhakkeshwaram or Akkare Kottiyoor) is a temporary hermitage (Yaga shrine) opened only during the Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam. The Vadakkeshwaram or Ikkare Kottiyoor (The Thruchherumana Temple) on the western bank of the river is a permanent temple complex like all other temples. It remains closed throughout the year except for the 27 days of Vysakha festival. The temple is situated in a densely forested area amidst a sacred grove that covers about 80 acres. Mythology says that Akkare Kottiyoor, the shrine on the eastern bank of the river, was the location of Daksha Yaga, at the conclusion of which Sati Devi immolated herself in this place.

The Kottiyoor Perumal Temple was, in its heyday in terms of gold and precious stones, the second-wealthiest Temple in the entire Kerala region (second only to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple which even with its smaller five vaults opened, lays claim to the largest collection of gold and precious stones ever, as well as being the wealthiest place of worship in the world). Kottiyur Perumal’s collection of gold and precious stones has been stored since time immemorial in the ‘Karimbana Gopuram’ of the “Ikkare Kottiyoor” Temple. Kottiyoor Perumal also owned over 30,000 acres of forest-lands in Kannur District.

The Thruchherumana Temple was built after the Swayambhoo lingam was found; however the exact date of construction of temple is not known; the pilgrimage has been taking place for many centuries.

Legends

A pious Namboothiri of Kalakkatt Illam (one of the four major Mantravada (Sorcery) lineages of Kerala) was returning from Kottiyoor. To pray for Sandhya vandanam in Manathana Shrine he took bath in the pond, after which a young lady from the adjacent bay offered him Taali (herbal shampoo), and told that she would apply it onto his forehead. He immediately recognized that she was none other than Bhadrakali and showing his head would mean his death. He folded his hand in front of her and said any thing given by The Mother is nectar. He took the shampoo and drank it. Devi was pleased with him and presented him with three sacred insignia which he installed in three temples in the Kannur region.