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Kottiyoor Temple- Kashi Of The South
Tucked into the lush green Sahyadri mountains in the Kannur district, Kerala, lies Kottiyoor Temple which is believed to be the oldest place to perform Shaiva-Shakta worship. It is also known as Thruchherumana Kshetram, Vadakeeshwaram, Dakshin Kashi and locally as Vadakkukavu.
The legend says that Kottiyoor is the place where the arrogant King Daksha conducted the ill-fated yagnya. This is where Devi Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire angry at the dishonour meted out to her husband, Lord Shiva.
Somnath Temple: Lord Shiva's Jyotirlinga
Furious that his beloved was no more, that too due her own father's actions, Lord Shiva created Veerabhadra from the force of his fury. They rushed to Kottiyoor and destroyed the yagnya. Lord Shiva cut Daksha's head off and proceeded to do the Tandava(the dance of destruction) carrying the half burnt body of Devi Sati. To stop the destruction of the world, Maha Vishnu cut Devi Sati's body using his Sudarshana into 51 pieces. The pieces fell to earth forming the 51 shakti peethas distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent.
This story comes alive as you enter the vicinity of the temple. There are even places that are named in relation to Devi Sati's journey from Kilas. The place where she was met with the bull who was sent for her by Lord Shiva is named "Kelakam" ( Kala, in Malayalam, means bull). The place where she stretched her neck to look for her father's yagnya is called "Neendu nokki" ( Neendu means to stretch and nokki means to see). Devi Sati is said to have wept and the place where her tears fell is known as "Kanichar" (Kaneer means tears).
Mallikarjun Temple: Kailash Of The South
As the yagnya was destroyed and it spelled bad times for the world, Maha Vishnu and Bramha went to Shiva and requested him to complete the yagnya. The place where they met was called "Koodiyoor" ( Koodi means together or jointly). Over time Koodiyoor changed into Kottiyoor.
Read on to learn more about Kottiyoor Temple.
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Svayamboo Shiva Linga
It is thought that Daksha's severed head fell to the earth and transformed into a svayambhoo Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga was lost to the forest until one day a tribal chanced upon it. He happened to be sharpening his arrow on a stone when it miraculously started to bleed.
Astonished, the tribal informed the families nearby and they found out that it was a Shiva Linga. It is said that they poured ghee and tender coconut water to sooth the bleeding wound on the Shiva Linga. This is a custom that is carried on even today during the Vishakha festival.
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The Two Temples Of Kottiyoor
There are two temples in Kottiyoor, one on each side of the river Bavali(also known as Vavali). The temples are called Ekkare (this bank of the river) and Akkare (the other bank of the river). People take bath in the river before visiting the Temple. The waters of the river Bavali is said to be therapeutic and laden with medicinal properties. The pebbles in the river can be rubbed together to form a sandalwood like paste which people use to dot their foreheads.
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Akkare Temple
Akkare Temple is open only for 27 days when Vishakholsavam ( the Vishakha festival) is celebrated. There is no Sanctum Sanctorum or Garbhagriha. The temple, "Manithara", is a thatch-roofed area on a raised platform of stones which contains the Shiva Linga. It situated in the middle of a knee-deep pool called "Tiruvanchira". The devotees have to wade in the pool as they go around the deity to perform the pradakshina.
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Ammarakkal Thara
Ammarakkal thara is the place where Devi Sati gave up her life. It is situated behind the Manithara along with a huge banyan tree. Ammarakkal thara is lit up a big lamp which is covered with a huge umbrella made of palm tree leaves. Coins and currency are offered here. Coconuts are offered by the devotees at the banyan tree. To the side is the Thidapally, where the food for the deities is made.
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Ekkare Temple
Ekkare Temple remains open for 11 months of the year. The temple is inaccessible during the Vaishakha festival.
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Vaishakha Festival
The festival starts with the removal of "Ashtabandhanam"(the covering of the Shiva Linga). There are various rituals performed here and each class of the society has a particular ritual to perform. These rituals were put in place by Shankaracharya and many of the rituals are performed in secret. The beginning and the end part of the festival cannot be witnessed by women.
Once the festival is over, the Shiva Linga is once again covered with Ashtabandhanam and the thached roof is demolished, exposing the Linga to the sun and the other elements of nature until the next year.
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Special rituals
Elaneerattam ( the offering of tender coconut water) and Neyyattam ( the offering of ghee) are the special rituals that happen during the festival. Devotees carry tender coconut to the temple where it is collected and offered to the deity.
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Rohini Aaradhana
Another important ritual that cannot be seen any where else is called Rohini Aaradhana. The eldest member of the Brahman family, Kurumathur family, is thought to embody Maha Vishnu. During the Rohini Aaradhana ritual, he hugs the Shiva Linga. This is done to recreate the story according to which Lord Maha Vishnu consoled Lord Shiva on the loss of Devi Sati the same way.
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The Sword of Veerabhadra
It is said that the sword that was used to chop King Daksha's head is still preserved in Mutheri Kavu, a temple close by. The sword is brought to Kottiyoor Temple during the Vishakha festival.
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Miracles At Kottiyoor Temple
Inspite of the fact that tons of fire wood is burned at the Temple, Not once has the need arised to clean the place of its ashes. It is said that the ashes form in a different Temple many miles away.
Odappu( the flowers of bamboo)
Every devotee who visits Kottiyoor Temple returns with the blessings of the deity and Odappu that they purchase at the numerous stalls. Odapoo or Auda flowers are made from beaten tender bamboo. They are said to represent King Daksha's beard. The devotees, on returning to their homes, place the flowers in their pooja room or hang it outside their houses for luck.
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