The Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam is a mesmerising festival held amidst dense forest with the lush greenery of Wayanadan hills and the gorgeous River Baveli forming a stunning backdrop. Devotees belive that it is here where King Daksha once conducted his yaaga where his daughter and spouse of Lord Shiva, Sati, committed suicide.
Surrounded by the lush Wayanadan hills and Paalukaachi Mala, the Kottiyoor Temple of Kannur district in Kerala is a prominent and ancient Shiva temple of South India. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The Bavali river flows from the Wayanad Ghats on the banks of the temple. On the northern side of the river bank, there is a small lake known as 'Thiruvanchira' and here in the midst of this lake is this temple sans temple. (M Balamurugan | EPS)
The Vaisakha Maholsavam or Kottiyoor ulsavam, which is held annually during the months of May and June is the most important ritual associated with the temple. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The celebrations begin with a ritual, where a sword is brought to the temple from Muthirerikavu in Wayanad district. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The 28-day long festival is conducted by two temples - Akkara Kottiyoor and Ikkara Kottiyoor-situated on the either banks of the river. However, all the important rituals take place in the makeshift temple of Akkara Kottiyoor. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The Akkara Kottiyoor temple is located at the centre of a pond named Thiruvanchira from where water flows towards the Bavali river to the west. (A Sanesh | EPS)
Devotees circumambulate the shrine within the pond, braving the torrential monsoon showers. (A Sanesh | EPS)
Odappoovu or the auda flower is the main symbol of Kottiyoor festival. The flower that has white fibres flowing down represents the white beard of King Daksha. The flower is distributed among the devotees attending the annual festival at the temples. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The Yajnashala is located on a raised platform made of river stones named Ammarakal thara. It is believed that Sati immolated herself at this Ammarakal Thara during King Daksha's yajna. (A Sanesh | EPS)
Devotees visiting the temple situated in the centre of the forest are least concerned about the rain.The heavy shower is no excuse for the jumbos either for evading from the Shiveli ritual for which they are an integral part. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The flooded temple province will host several conventional Hindu rituals including the Sayana Pradakshinam, where the devotees roll themselves on the floor of the temple which is known to be the 'centre of consciousness'. (A Sanesh | EPS)
The festival concludes with Elaneerattam in which tender coconut water collected from the devotees is poured on the idol by the head priest. Large groups of people wait for hours to participate in various events before getting darshanam at the temple. (A Sanesh | EPS)
