Kottiyoor Temple; the Origin of Shakthi Peethas

Kottiyoor Shiva Temple is one of the most prominent Shiva Temples in Kerala. Although its original name is Vadakeswaram Temple, it is most popularly known as Kottiyoor Temple due to its proximity to the Kottiyoor Village. There are two temples located on either side of the River Bavali. The one on the Eastern bank is known as Ikkare kottiyoor (Kottiyoor on this bank) and the one on the western bank is known as Akkare Kottiyoor (Kottiyoor on that bank). Ikke Kottiyoor will be open all the year for worship when the Akkare Kottiyoor will be open only for 27 days every year during the festival season. The Kottiyoor Pilgrimage during these 27 days is an important thing for devotees. This place is known as the origin of Shakthi Peethas and also the one and the only place on the planet earth where you will get protected from the evil effects of Kaliyuga.

What is Shakthi Peethas

King Daksha was not in a mood to send his daughter Sati in marriage to Lord Shiva but that could not change the minds of Sati. Lord Shiva and Sati got married against the will of her father Daksha Prajapati and it left vengeance in the minds of Daksha. Hence, he did not invite Lord Shiva when he organized a Yagna where he invited all other gods and goddesses. He did it purposefully to insult Lord Shiva. Though he took it lightly, Sati Devi could not. She went directly to the Yagnashala and asked her father why he did not invite her husband. Furious Daksha started insulting Shiva describing him as a barbarian and naïve. She just could not digest those words and committed suicide there itself.

Hearing the news of his beloved wife’s suicide, Lord Shiva arrived at the venue and forced himself inside the yagna shala. Nobody and none in the universe could bar the furious lord. He killed Daksha. However, he could not contain his fury just by killing Daksha. He took out the body of his beloved on his shoulders and started Thandava Dance. Heatwaves have started emitting from the body of Shiva which became unbearable for the living things in the universe. Seeing the destruction of the universe, Lord Vishnu appeared there and cut the body of Sati Devi into fifty-one pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra. Each piece fell at different places and these places became serene places where a devotee can converse directly with the divine power of Ma Sati. These places are known as Shakthi Peethas.

Kottiyoor, the place where Daksha organized his Yagna

It is believed that Daksha organized his Yagna at Kottiyoor. He started his yagna on a Vishakham star day but could not complete it as he was killed by Lord Shiva. Later Lord gave life back to Daksha on the request of Lord Brahma and went back to the Himalayas to undergo penance. Years have passed and eras have passed. The place became a dense forest where the tribal known as Kurichyaas used to inhabit. One day a Kurichya youth rubbed his arrow over a piece of rock to sharpen it and suddenly blood started oozing out from the rock.

Hearing the news, the Kurichya community leaders gathered at the place, and upon the advice of an elder, they approached an old Brahmin staying in a nearby village. He came there and inspected the rock. Suddenly he felt the presence of divine power in it. He summoned the village astrologer. Astrologer came and examine various possibilities. Finally, he identified the power as of Lord Shiva and the old Brahmin performed some immediate rituals with Koovala (Crataeva Religiosa) leaves.

Later, it has been confirmed that there is the presence of Sati Devi also. It has been found at the present day “Ammarakalu Thara”, a lifted piece of rock near to the Swayambhoo Linga. It is believed that Sati Devi committed suicide at this place. As it is barred to construct a temple based on some religious principles, only makeshift temples will be constructed during the festival seasons here. Another interesting fact is that the devotees can visit this temple only during the 27-day festival season which starts on the Swathi star of Malayalam month Idava.

Kottiyoor Temples on Either Side of River Bavali

Whatever we mentioned earlier is about “Akkare Kottiyoor, or the Kottiyoor Temple on the eastern bank of the River Bavali. There is another temple on the western bank which is called Ikkare Kottiyoor or Thricherumana Temple. The idol in this temple has been consecrated by the great Sage Parasurama. The intention of this was to facilitate devotees to worship Lord Shiva the entire year whereas they can do the same on the other the temple during the festival seasons. Later Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya fixed different types of rituals to be performed in both these temples. When Shankaracharya visited this place, it was not the festival season and hence he has not crossed the river to visit Akkare Kottiyoor. He designed the rituals for Akkare kottiyoor from the temple located on the other side of the river.

It is believed that Lord Brahma and Vishnu are also present here inside the shrine. Hence, the Kali, (The figure that represents Kaliyuga) promised Parasurama that he will never enter inside the temple. That is the importance of this temple. This is the only place on the earth where the devotees will get protection from the evil effects of Kaliyuga.

Kottiyoor Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to Akkare Kottiyoor will be during the 27 days of the festival and it starts with the Swathi star of Idavom (Malayalam month. Pilgrimage to Akkare Kottiyoor witnesses the participation from all classes of the Hindu community. In reality, each community has designated with bringing some specific materials which are used in different rituals being carried out in this temple. This duty has been allocated by the Royal Family of Pazhashi King.

As mentioned earlier, there is no permanent temple structure here and temporary structures will be constructed during the festival season. The right to mark different places for different deities lies in people from the Asari community whereas the right to perform the first Abhisheka is on the Kurichya community chief. Umbrellas made with palm leaves will be placed at different Devasthanas and the right to bring these umbrellas is of the people belong to the Kaniya community. The ghee for Abhishekam will be brought by the people belonging to the Nair community and the coconuts by Theeya community. The wicks to be used in the lamps will be brought by the people from the Chaliya community. People belonging to each community will bring the designated material even from far away places.

The festival starts with an interesting ritual. People collect water from the River Bavali and place it on the platform where the Swayambhoo Linga is placed. Then a special Hundi kept at a nearby temple will bring here. Women are permitted to enter the premises only after the arrival of this Hundi. On the same day, an ancient sword which is worshiped at Muthireri Kavu Temple in Thavinjal village of Wayanad will be brought here. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed Daksha using this sword. This 27-day festival is considered as pious as Daksha Yaga.

As per the legend, all the gods and goddesses were present during Daksha Yaga and hence the presence of all will be here also during this festival. This festival is also considered as a meeting point of Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shaktheya community. On a particular day, a priest from the nearby Vaishnava family will perform “Alingana Pushpanjali” on the Linga to commemorate the hugging of Vishnu to console Shiva on the demise of his beloved Sati Devi.