Kottiyur Ulsavam and Pilgrimage, Kannur District

08 Jun- 04 July 2025; Kottiyur Ulsavam and Pilgrimage, Kannur District

At Kottiyur Kshethram the main deity is Lord Shiva.  There are two divisions Ekkare Kottiyur and Akkere Kottiyur(this side and that side). Ekkare Kottiyur is a typical Kerala style temple with daily Pooja. At Akkare there are no constructions, only a Shivalingam (symbolic representation of Lord Shiva) mounted on a stage called Manithara, which is surrounded by water from river Baveli. Entry to Akkare Kottiyur is restricted except for the festival period. Calendar of various rituals and functions are given.

08 Jun 2025: Neyyattom-The main functions held simultaneously on this day are given. 

Muthireri Vaal Varavu - The sword supposed to be of Lord Veerabhadran brings from Muthireri, 15miles from Kottiyur.

Odayum Theeyum Varavu- The fire required for the ceremonies is brought here from Jathiyur Madom Kshethram, near Kuttiady. 

Neyyattom - Pooja performed using ghee, prepared and kept by thousands of devotees in small bronze pots. 

09 Jun 2025:  Bhandaram ezhunnallathu-All the valuables of the deity- the ornaments, swords, Pots for Pooja etc- kept at their official strong room, Muthireri Vaal, Bali Bimbangal  (image of the deities) and an elephant ceremoniously proceeds to Akkare Kottiyur. This marks the beginning of Ulsavam at Akkare Kottiyur. At the same time the temple at Ekkare Kottiyur closes till the festival ends. Ulsavam rituals like Sreeboothabali , Ashtapathi, Kottippattu seva, Mathavilasam & Anguleeyangam koothu etc are performed every day. Women pilgrims are allowed to go to akkare Kottiyur after this ritual  Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu. 

15 Jun 2025: Thiruvonam Aradhana-Considered as a holy day for pray and worship. From this day onwards Melam, Nadaswaram, Thayambaka etc( traditional orchestras) are performed at akkare Kottiyur. 

17 Jun 2025: Elaneer Veppu-The most spectacular event. Thousands of tender coconuts-Elaneer- are brought here by the devotees in-groups from various parts, even from Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts. They reach Kottiyur by mid night and place these tender coconuts at a specified time, a devotional and enthusiastic function, which usually continues till dawn. 

20 Jun 2025: Revathi Aradhana- Special Poojas are performed. A unique custom is performed on this day. By noon a Brahmin member from Kurumathur Illam, Thaliparamba, arrives and does Pooja, then he embraces Shivalingam (the idol), which is a special right to this family on this occasion.

30 Jun 2025: Makam Kalam Varavu-After the usual Pooja at noon, the elephant, temple orchestra artists etc are withdrawn from Akkare Kottiyur. Female pilgrims are also not allowed after this. By mid night, all the mud pots (Kalam/Kalasam) for Pooja, produced by Kusava community at Nallur village, come here in procession. It is held on the Malayalam day Makam and is called Makam Kalasam Varavu. But this procession is not supposed to be seen by anybody. So everybody in the nearby places remain in their homes with lights switched off. Secret Poojas are held during might at the sanctorum for three days. 

04 July 2025: Thrikkalasattu- After Kalasa pooja is Kalabhabhishekam, Abishekam (a sacred bath, pouring the liquid to the idol, from the top) using Kalabham (Ayurveda combination) and is performed early morning. In the afternoon Muthireri Vaal and Bhandaram are sent back to their respective places. Festivity will come to an end by throwing all the temporary constructions into the river. Next day morning the priest covers the Shivalinga with Ashtabandham(covering with clay accompanied by mantras) and the authorities give back Manithara (holy seat) to Kurichias(warrior tribes) to protect till next festival.   

Location/Access: At Kottiyur, Kannur district. Thalassery-Kottiyur-60kms

Kannur-Kottiyur-76kms; Buses available from all these places. Nearest Railway stations are at Kannur & Thalassery. 

For more info: Kottiyur Devaswom, Ph: office- 0490-2430234, Temple- 0490-2430434

Srisailam Rest House, Thalassery, Ph: 0490-2343044

(Toilet and temporary night shelters are provided during festival. Hotel facilities are available at Thalassery, Kannur, Iritty and Peravoor)