Kottiyoor Utsavam – Hindu Festival

4to40.com May 18, 2016 Indian Festivals 3,647 Views

Kottiyoor is a very old Hindu pilgrim center dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in Kannur district, Kerala. The temple is located on the attractive Sahya hill range valley and is blessed with abundant natural attractiveness and the medicinal waters of the river Bavali. The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival is held every year throughout the months of May to June. The twenty eight day carnival commences with the Neyyattam ceremonial on the Swati Day in Edavam and concludes with the Thrikkalashaattu.

The Kottiyoor Utsav in Kannur engages two temples, situated on the opposite banks of Bavali river- Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor. This festival partakes in part of the environment of Vela and Pooram. The temple is located at the foot of the Waynad high grounds rising 3,000 to 5,000 feet from the sides of the little glade. The festival is attended by all categories but they do not mix simultaneously. The Nairs proceed first and after a couple of days, the Nairs having finished, the Tiyans and so on. The people like those bound for the cock-festival at Cranganore, indulge in the vilest and filthiest misuse. They use violence to persons and property all along the street.

Date And Venue

• Dates – May 20 (Friday) – June 16 (Thursday)
• Venue – Kottiyoor temple, Kannur district

Legends

Kannoth Kunhikannan of Chala went to the forest to measure and consider the land of Kottiyoor Perumal. There he glimpsed Karimpalars or tribes chopping cane for Elaneerkav. Kunhikannan claimed some cane; but they denied to give them. Kunhikannan vigorously took the cane and trounce the tribes. They went in front of the temple, bawled and acquainted the God. Two serpents went away from there and went into the field of Kunhikannan in the form of two leeches. His younger sister was the Chirakkal Thampuran’s Kettilamma and she was with child. On her way home, she got down from the palanquin in the field and the leeches bit her to death. Whereas the common post-death performances were finished, the crows did not touch the ‘bali’ rice. On astrological investigation, it is understood that there was the anger of Kottiyoor Perumal and he had to present a gold cane as an atonement.

Significance Of The Festival

The festival is held is not in the temple but in the forest about a quarter of a mile away from it. There is a river between the spot where the festival is held and the temple. About a hundred yards after the stream there is a little glade in the plantation which is a sacred location. It is heed exceedingly holy and the very concept of visiting it except at the carnival is regarded dreadful. In the center of the glade is a around of piled stone, 12 feet in diameter and in the middle of the stack of stone is impolite lingam. Temporary sheds are put up for the occasion. Pilgrims convey with them offerings when they go up for the festival.

Special Cuisines Prepared

Elaneer Vayppu or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga is a significant ceremonial during the carnival. On special days, thousands of tender coconuts submitted from different components of Malabar by the devotees.

Rites And Rituals

Neyyattam ritual on the first day and the Thirukalasattu ritual on the completing day in the presence of devotees. The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival begins with the ceremonial of bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu from Wayanad. On the following day, on Visakham celebrity Bhandaram Ezhunnallath ritual is held. Gold, Silver vessels and heavenly ornaments are conveyed from Manathana village to Kottiyoor. A significant ceremonial throughout the festival is the ‘Elaneer Vayppu’ or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga. The next day the priest of the temple, pour the collected coconut water on to the idol which is renowned as ‘Elaneeraattam’.