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 Swati Day in Edavam 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. Gold, Silver vessels, heavenly ornaments etc are
brought from nearby Manathana village to Kottiyoor.
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 Malabar by the
devotees are submitted. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours
the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as 'Elaneeraattam'.
Rohini
Aaradhana is a very important ritual which is not seen in any other temple. The
priest embraces the swayambhu Shiva linga as part of the ritual. The belief
behind this ritual is that Brahma himself worships Lord Shiva to pacify for the
loss of Sati.
As a
part of the festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants
carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the
elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell.
Vaisakha
Maholsavam dates for year 2015
25-May-2015, Mondayy - Neerezhunnallathu
31-June-2015, Sunday - Neyattam
1-June-2015, Monday -
Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu (Mid night, Ladies will be Allowed only after this)
7-June-2015, Sunday -
Thiruvonam Aradhana
9-June-2015, Tuesday -
Ilaneer Veypu
10-June-2015, Wednesday -
Ashtami Aradhana, Ilaneerattam
12-June-2015, Friday -
Revathi Aradhana
15-June-2015, Monday -
Rohini Aradhana
17-June-2015, Wednesday -
Thiruvathira Chathussatham
18-June-2015, Sunday -
Punartham Chathussatham
21-June-2015, Wednesday -
Aayilyam Chathussatham
22-June-2015, Monday - Makam
Kalam Varavu (After 12.00PM, Ladies won't be allowed)
25-June-2015, Thursday -
Atham Chathussatham, Valattam, Kalasa Pooja
26-June-2015, Friday -
Thrukkalassattu
Elaborate rituals and
offerings are open to devotees during the festival. Visit the Kottiyoor
Vazhipadu Offerings page for the details and rates.
Kottiyoor Temple Route
Kottiyoor
is connected by bus from Thalassery, Kannur (Cannanore) and Mananthavady.
Special bus services are arranged during Vaisakha Maholsavam from Thalassery to
accomodate the large number of devotees.
If
you are coming to Kottiyooor with own transport, the drive to Kottiyoor is very
scenic and roads are in good condition. If you are coming from Calicut or
Kannur side, reach Thalassery and then take the Koothuparamba, Nedumpoyil,
Kelakam road.
If
you are coming from Wayanad, Mysore, Bangalore side, reach Bathery and then
take the Mananthavady road. From Mananthavady, ask for Kannur Road and drive
around 10 kilometers. There will be a road going towards right here and is easy
to miss. You will find a sign which says “Boys Town x kms”, you need to turn
right here. This is the start of the ghat section (Paal Churam) that will get
you down from Wayanad. Another 10 Kms, you will reach a place called
Ambayathod. Drive straight to Kottiyoor from here.
Ample parking facilities
will be arranged around Sri Kottiyoor temple during the festival season
Distance to Kottiyoor from
Major Towns/ City
Kannur (Cannanore) - 70 Kms
Thalassery - 60 Kms
Calicut - 125 Kms
The closest Railway station
Thalassery is 60 Kms away. The closest Airport is at Calicut.
Kottiyoor Address
Sree Kottiyoor Devaswom
Kottiyoor Post Office
Kelakam
Kannur District
Kerala - 670651
Phone: 0490 2430234, 2430434
