Kottiyoor Temple

Coordinates: 11°52′22.29″N 75°51′39.18″E / 11.8728583°N 75.8608833°E / 11.8728583; 75.8608833
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For Kottiyoor Festival, see Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam.

Kottiyoor Temple
Thruchherumana Temple (തൃചേരുമന ക്ഷേത്രം)
Main shrine at Kottiyoor surrounded by sacred grove
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKannur district
DeityShiva
FestivalsKottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam
Governing bodyMalabar Devaswom Board[1]
Location
StateKerala
CountryIndia
Geographic coordinates11°52′22.29″N 75°51′39.18″E / 11.8728583°N 75.8608833°E / 11.8728583; 75.8608833
Architecture
TypePartially Kerala style
CreatorUnknown
CompletedUnknown
Website
http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/

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.[2]

There are two temples in

Sati Devi immolated herself in this place.[4]

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.[5][6] Kottiyoor Perumal also owned over 30,000 acres of forest-lands in Kannur District.[7]

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.[8]

Significance

Ikkare Kottiyoor temple with sacred tree in the front.
Inside the shrines varanda.

The Kottiyoor Temple is highly revered in Kerala and neighboring areas of adjoining states. The legend goes that the shrine is blessed with the divine presence of The Holy Trinity or The Trimurthy (Brahma - Vishnu - Shiva) and the primordial Mother Goddess (

Kali (the personification of Kali Yuga), has promised Parashurama in the presence of Trimurthy in not entering the premises of the holy shrine.[9]

Kottiyoor is one of the most sacred shrines of

Hindu Divinities, the place is called Kottiyoor from Koodi and Uuru meaning Meeting Precinct.[10]

The temple is well known for its old structure and is not renovated so as to not disturb the old customs and traditions of the temple.

Social participation

Odappu, a "flower" made of bamboo pieces instantly is a thing every devotee buys from the temple to his home to be hung there for a year. Here is a shop selling the same.

The Kottiyoor Pilgrimage has far reaching participation from the entire society. The Hindu communities in the region bring the raw materials as a ritual each year from even more than a hundred of kilometer away by walking. Each community have been delegated specific duty by the Kottayam (Pazhassi) royal family, and has not been re-delegated from the inception. They consider this as a right given to them and exercise their part as a duty. This has been happening as a ritual for ages and is centuries of years old tradition. The pilgrimage has become a part of their culture. The temple is located in a serene dense forest which is now declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary by Government of Kerala.[11]

The rites and rituals of the festival is a symbol of Shaiva-Vaishnava-shakteya communal harmony. Rohini Aradhana

Sati Devi
.

Thruchherumana Temple origin

The 'Prathishta'(i.e. the installation of idol) of the Thruchherumana Temple, was done by

Sankaracharya had classified the rites and rituals of the temple. He came to the Thruchherumana temple and worshiped there but he did not cross the river and worshiped the Swayambhoo linga as it was not the period of Vysakha pilgrimage. This belief is strictly followed until this time, of not going to the premises of Swayambhoo linga, or Akkare kottiyoor, if it is not the Vysakha pilgrimage time. Sankaracharya made ablutions in the Vavali river and prayed from the west bank of the river without crossing and continued his journey.[13]

Legends

A pious Namboothiri of Kalakkatt Illam (one of the four major Mantravada (Sorcery) lineages of Kerala)[14] 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.

Associations with other Temples

The

Bhuta Ganas carry the presents of Tirunelli Perumal to Vysakha Mahotsavam. Once a Bhuta tried to steal a present and the Perumal cursed him to become a rock.[17]
The Sacred sword of Veerabhadra is brought for the Kottiyoor Festival from "Mutherikavu" a nearby temple.

Tons of firewood are used for the Kottiyoor festival in the shrine. Not even for a single year until now has it been required to remove the excess ash from the altar. All the essentials needed for Ammarakkal Tara is brought from Manathana shrine. Sacred swords also come from Chapparam Bhagavathi temple. Pooja vessels, ornaments etc., come from Karimbanagopuram.

Rites and Rituals schedule

Present day rituals of Kottiyoor were set out by Sri Shankaracharya. With his spiritual vision, he felt the presence of Shiva at 'Akkare Kottiyoor' and not willing to pollute the holy ground with the touch of his feet, prayed from 'Ekkare Kottiyoor' and left.

Bamboo flower maker

The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is held every year during the months of May - June. The twenty eight-day festival commences with the 'Neyyattam' ritual on the 'chodi' Day in Edavam (rishabham) and concludes with the Thrikkalashaattu. The Vaisakha Maholsavam celebrations begin with the ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu from Wayanad. On the following day, on Visakham star, Bhandaram Ezhunnallath ritual is held. Ornaments and Pooja vessels of pure gold and silver are brought from the nearby Manathana village to Kottiyoor.[18]

The bridge

An important ritual during the festival is the 'Elaneer Vayppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. On this special day, thousands of tender coconuts carried from different parts of Kerala by the devotees are submitted. The following day, the Namboothiris of the temple collect water from tender coconuts in pure gold and silver pots and then the Chief Priest pours the collected coconut water on to the idol in what is known as 'Elaneeraattam', also called the 'Rashi velli'.[19] Rohini Aaradhana is a very important ritual which is not seen in any other temple. Kurumathur Brahman (The senior most member of Kurumathur family considered the embodiment of Vishnu in the ritual) embraces the swayambhu Shiva linga as part of the ritual. This is symbolic of Vishnu pacifying Shiva Who is saddened by the loss of Sati.

As a part of the festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants carrying the idols of Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell.[20]

The 'Thammangadan Nambiar' Family (The Vediyara Chandrothu Family), a sub-branch of the

Kottiyur Shiva Temple, believed to be the site for the famous Yajna of Daksha. "Villippalan Kurup" is the name, by which the member of this Family, performing the ghee-offering ritual is known.[21]

Temple Dress code

Men: Traditional Mundu, Shirt and Banian allowed. Lungi not allowed. Women: Salwar Kameez Allowed, Saree, Set Mundu, Skirts and Blouse allowed.

Access

Calicut and Cochin
.

Palchuram

References

  1. ^ "Temples under Malabar Devaswam Board, Division : Thalassery" (PDF). Malabar Devaswam Board. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Major Temples under Malabar Devaswam". Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  3. ^ "These women weave coconut fronds to eke out a living". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  4. ^ "New Kottiyoor". Kottiyoor Devaswom. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  5. ^ Viruthiyel, Joseph Varghese (1982). "Migration and social structure in rural Kerala" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Bitstream" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Jspui" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Festival time at Kottiyur". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Kottiyoordevaswom - Shiva Kshetram". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Kotiiyoor 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".
  11. ^ "Wildlife sanctuary area in Kannur increases". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  12. ^ "Kottiyoordevaswom - Shiva Kshetram". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Kottiyoordevaswom - Shiva Kshetram". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  14. ^ ""Manthravaadam" (Conjuration / Sorcery)". namboothiri.com. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  15. ^ "Kottiyoordevaswam - Shiva Kshetram". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  16. ^ "Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple".
  17. ^ "Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple".
  18. ^ "Kotiiyoor 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".
  19. ^ "Kotiiyoor 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".
  20. ^ "Kotiiyoor 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".
  21. ^ "Kottiyoordevaswam - Shiva Kshetram". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kottiyoor Temple.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kottiyoor_Temple&oldid=1221287438"