TEMPLES IN KANNUR

PARASSINIKKADAVU MUTHAPPAN TEMPLE

This temple is located at Parassinikadavu, 20-km from Kannur town. The deity is Muthappan.The mighty deity is very powerful to solve the problems of the devotees. People intending to start new business come here before starting it for blessings for success and give offerings. Large number of devotees visits the temple.The deity is in a hunter’s attire. A bow and arrow are held. There are canines as companions.The rituals have variations as compared to other temples. Theyyam is a cardinal ritual here. In fact it is the only place in kannur district where you can be almost guaranteed a glimpse of the theyyatam, enancted twice daily(6.30-8.30a and 5.45-8.30pm)before teh assembled worshippers by the resident priest. The Theyyam dancer manifests as the presiding god, dances and utters like the god. During the ritual dance the dancer possesses the powers to solve the problems of the devotees and he announces solutions.Theyyam begins in early morning. There are two Theyyams or Thiruroopams (sacred appearance) as some call. One represents Thiruvappan and the other Vellatom. During Kalasam (a specific ritual performed in Muthappan and Chathan temples with related musics) the Madayan (chief priest designate) accepts Roopam (image). Thereafter the performer gears toThiru Nritham (sacred dance). the two hour ceremony culminates with the peak stage where the Theyyam the performer transforms himself as the deity and the devotees are called one after one to listen to their grievances or demands. After hearing, solutions are prescribed.Mostly for the convenience of the devotees coming from far-flung areas the temple runs a Resort – Thai Resort(0497 2784242). Shaded by coconut trees, seven circular stone cottages are dotted around a well kept garden. It has all modern amenities and facilities.

RAMANTHALI SANKARANARAYANA TEMPLE

The temple is located a t Ramanthali, near Payyannur. The deity is Sankaranarayana. The idol is six-foot tall in Panchaloha. Such a tall idol of Sankaranarayana is seen only here.The right side of the idol is Shiva and the left half-side is Vishnu as body-guards. There is a sub-deity. He is Bhoothananda. The sanctum sanctorum is in Gajaprishta form.There is a 6-day long festival which starts on the 17th of Meenam (31st March) and ends on 22nd.It is believed that the temple is of parasurama prathishta . The MoolaSthana of this temple ,of Lord Shiva, is now inside the limit of Naval Academy. However a restricted worship is allowed here.

KANHIRANGAD VAIDYANATHA TEMPLE

The temple is located at Kanhirangad, 6-km from Thaliprambu, on a hill top. The main deity is Shiva, facing east. Here the deity is self-incarnated and as the name (Vaidyanatha) implies, the deity is a celebrated Ayurveda physician. Bhagawathy, Ayyappan and Ganapathy are sub-deities.Skin and eye diseases get cured here by offering Bhajan (singing of god-praising poems).The main offerings are Ksheeradhara (pouring of milk on the idol) and Jaladhara (pouring of water on the idol).Shivarathri is the main festival which is in the month of Kumbam (February/March). There is Aaru Nhayar (six Sunday) ceremony here. If the 6th day of any Malayalam month is on Sunday it is called Aaru Nhayar (six Sunday) and is considered auspicious.Thiruvathira is also celebrated on a large scale.Brahmin ladies are not allowed to enter the temple.

SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE , PERALASSERI

Situated at Peralassery. This temple carries historic importance. The legend is that Rama and Laxmana on their way to Srilanka halted at this temple and sought the blessings of the deity to rescue Sita from the captivity of Ravana.Bronze and copper idols of snakes spotted everywhere in the temple. A beautiful stepped up tank is under renovation.Peralassery Sri Subrahmanya temple, located at Mundallur on the Kannur - Koothuparambu route, 15kms from Kannur, is one of the famous shrines in Malabar. Lord Subrahmanya, son of Lord Siva, is the presiding deity of this temple. The temple is said to be connected with the famous epic, 'Ramayana'. It is believed that it was here that Lord Rama along with Lakshmana halted on their way to free Sita from Ravana in Lanka. The temple also has a shrine for the serpent God and has a number of bronze and copper idols of snakes. The annual festival of the temple is celebrated for eight days. Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal, Parayan Thullal and Seethankan Thullal are the main art-forms performed during the festival. Another important concert during the festival is a highly religious dance, ' Thidampunritham' performed by the priest.

SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE, PAYYANNUR

Located at Payyannur, 21-km north to Thaliparambu on NH 17. Pavithra mothiram – sanctified ring – made with gold and holy darbha grass is a speciality here. The Brahmins used to wear such rings during rituals. The ring is made outside on order and sanctification is done in the temple. It is believed, wearing this ring, evils ward off.

SURYANARAYANA TEMPLE

At Kadiroor. 5-km from Thalassery. A 13th century origin. The idol is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama en-route to Srilanka. He was on Sita’s rescue assignment. For years together the temple remained unattended. Later, on orders from T H Baber prayers were held here to invoke help for the marching army to annex Coorg. The battle won, Baber helped renovate the temple damaged by Tipu Sultan.

SRI VITTOBA TEMPLE

This temple at Payyannur in the Kannur district. It  was established in 1974. The main prathishta is Vittoba Rukmini. The temple and prathista are facing the west. There are sila vigrahas and panchaloha vigrahas of  Vittoba and Rukmini   installed in the srikovil. The sila vigrahas were made by the famous sculptor Karkal Sriranjal Gopalakrishna Shenoy.

It is believed that Sree Vittal or Vithoba is Naada Murthi and is fond of bhajans and He does not need other poojas. So, bhajans are conducted regularly in the temple. Vaisakha Pournami festival, Ashada Ekadashi, Bhajana (recital of slogans of gods’ likings), Karthika Ekadashi Bhajana, Karthika Panchami, Uthana Dwadasi, Sree Varamahalaxmi Vritham (fast) are the festivals and major ceremonies conducted.

The divine “Shami Vriksha Katte” in the temple premises is a great craze for devotees. The worship of this tree fulfils the wishes and remove obstacles encountered, the devotees testify. It is believed that the Raksha Charadu (safety thread) worshipped at the feet of the Lord Vithoba and goddess Rukmai ensures solace and prosperity to the devotees who wear it. 

RAJA RAJESHWARI TEMPLE, TALIPARAMB

This shrine is situated at Thaliparambu, 23-km away from Kannur town, on NH 17. The deity is Shiva.In no other temples in Kerala Shiva is known as Rajarajeswara. The devotees call the Lord here in some pet names also – Perumthrikovilappan, Perumchellurappan, and Thampuran Perumthrikovilappan.The deity Shiva here in the form of Jyothirlingam is three time more powerful in divinity than any other Shiva temples. The legend for this extra ordinary phenomenon is of interesting read.

While the Sage Parasuraman who is the incarnation of Vishnu visited the shrine it was in bad shape. The pained Sage researched on the cause. At this stage Sage Narada appeared and explained the core reason for the pathetic condition of the temple. Sage Sankara and his company were churning the disk of the Sun so as to minimize the impact of heat. The dust formed from grinding was mixed with Amrith, the divine nectar for immortality. From the mix they shaped up three shining Shivalingams (Jyothirlingams) and presented them to Lord Brahma. After a long while, Brahma entrusted the same to Parvathi, the wife of Shiva. Parvathi, in turn, gave them to three Kings, one for each. Out of the three kings, Maandatha was of Thretha Yugam, while the other two Muchukundan and Shathasoman were of Dwapara Yugam. Thretha Yugam and Dwapara Yugam are of two different ancient periods according to Hindu mythology.The idols were given by Parvathi on a specific condition that they should not be installed at places where no death of any lived object has taken place nor the body of any dead object has fallen.The long search landed Maandatha at a small obscure place where a Thalika (a metal dish-plate) can be accommodated. Maandatha put the Shivalingam in a plate and installed. The place thereafter came to be known as Thaliparambu. The idol, after some time, disappeared and the place became vacant. The place however became shining and divine.The King Muchkundan who was in search of a place befitting to the nomenclature prescribed by Parvathi landed at the spot, after failing to locate a place, where Maandatha had installed the Jyothirlingam and installed the Jyothirlingam in his custody at the spot. This too vanished after some time. But the place became doubly shining and doubly divine.The third King Shathasoman who received the third Jyothirlingam from Parvathi also landed at the very spot where two installations were done in search of a suitable spot fitting to the module prescribed by Parvathi. He too selected the very spot as he could not locate any other place and installed the idol in his custody. This idol started sinking into the earth. The perturbed King immediately started praying to Sage Agasthya. Responding to the prayers, the Sage appeared and the King narrated the event. The Sage lighted a ghee-lamp and prostrated 12 times before the idol and half-way on the 13th prostration the idol stood firm on the ground. The sacred spot thus became three-fold divine and there-fold shining. The devotees started pouring in.Sage Narada narrated the event to Sage Parasurama who constructed a temple there.Sage Agasthya appeared in the temple premises and made Abhishekam (ceremonial washing) on the idol. The Sage also lighted a ghee-lamp which flares non-stop all these years. The ghee required for the lamp gets as offering from the devotees.The sanctum sanctorum is two-tiered and shaped rectangular. It has four doors, one at each side. Parvathi is seated on the west side of the sanctum sanctorum. The door of Parvathi’s shrine is kept closed always.Before visiting Rajarajeswara temple a devotee is required to visit and worship Lord Krishna in Vasudevapuram temple. This temple is located on the southern bank of the big temple pond of Rajarajeswara temple. This is a custom and tradition. Again, before worshipping Rajarajeswara a devotee is required to worship Sree Bhoothanatha (Kumbodharan) at his shrine.Rajarajeswara and the deities of Trichambaram (Lord Krishna) and Kanhirangad (Sree Vaidyanatha) are inter-connected and administered by a single authority, Thaliparambu-Trichambaram-Kanhirangad Devasom.

TRICHAMBARAM TEMPLE

Trichambaram Krishna Temple is a 11th century shrine situated at Trichambaram on the National Highway, around 20 km from Kannur and 5 kms south of Taliparambu town, famous for its spice trade. It is a sacred place of the Vaishnava cult and the main deity of the temple is Sree Krishna in his child form. The temple is known as Trichambaram because the pratishta (idol) here was executed by Sambara Maharshi . In front of the temple there is an elinji tree which bears no fruits but only flowers. The temple complex has three ponds and also a shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga, surrounded by water on all sides. The annual festival or the Trichambaram Mahotsavam, a colourful event is usually held in the Malayalam months of Kumbham-Meenam ( February-March). 

The temple is believed to be built by Lord Parashuram, the mythological architect of Kerala, who had put down the rituals, routine, worship and details of the annual festival. The temple is of great archeological importance and contains one of the most wonderful collection of mural paintings in South India. The sanctum sanctorum is double storied and has a copper roof in pyramid shape with a golden stupa (pinnacle) at the top. The sanctum has beautiful wood carvings which demonstrate scenes from the Epic Mahabharata, and murals paintings that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves and displays the craftsmanship of ancient times. 

SREE RAMASAWAMI TEMPLE, TIRUVANGADI

Sree Ramaswami Temple dedicated to Sri Rama is one of the most important temples in Malabar and the oldest among the four temples dedicated to Lord Rama in Kerala. It is situated 23km from Kannur, near Thalasseri fort. The temple is well-known for the exquisite carvings on the walls which are believed to have been done nearly 400 years ago. As the temple roof is made with copper sheets, it is locally known as 'chempadicha melkoora' (brass pagoda). In the18th century, some portion of the temple was destroyed by Tipu's troops but the temple itself was saved from damage by gods miracle. The seven day long annual festival of the temple, 'Vishnu Mahotsavam' is held in the month of Medam (April -May). The festival that commences on the Vishu day, is a colourful event with elephant pageantries, processions, fire works and Panchavadyam. Ramnavami is also celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

KOTTIYOOR SIVA TEMPLE

Two ancient Shiva temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor are located in the dense forests on the opposite shores of River Bavali in Kottiyoor, 60km from Kannur. Diety in Akkare Kottiyoor temple is the 'swayambhoo lingam' (self-created idol of Lord Shiva). The idol is kept on the ground ('Manithara') formed by a small heap of stones. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during the Vaisakha festival celebrated in the month of May-June every year that lasts for 27 days. Akkare Kottiyoor temple remains open only on these festival days. The 'abhishekam' (offering) here is with milk, ghee (clarified butter) and karikku vellam (tender coconut water). Pilgrims to the temple, before trekking to the holy hills, take a bath in the River Bavali, which is considered to be divine. Daily worship is held at Ikkare Kottiyoor temple. An interesting feature is that this temple remains closed during the 27 day long festival in Akkare Kottiyoor temple. 

JAGANNATHA TEMPLE, THALASSERI

A messenger from heaven came to overcome the devilish caste system...

He gifted the pitiable society with Jaganath Temple.. 

During mediaeval age of Kerala the people belonging Theyaradhi Ezhava caste were denied of worshiping gods and they were forbiddened to enter into the temple. They worshiped god within Kavu and Kazhakam. And it was Sree Narayana Guru, who realized that no one should be denied of the temple entry on the basis of caste. Thus Guru laid the foundation of Jaganath Temple for Ezhavas.  Sree Narayana Guru Consecrated the temple on 1 Kumbham 1908. The chief diety Lord Shiva was named as Ezhava Shiva by Guru inorder to shut the mouth of the upper caste. Guru also declared that the uppercaste people should be allowed to enter into the temple. Moorkoth Kumaran Master is having a great significance with temple. The sculpture of Sree narayana Guru was laid by him. Astounding work of Kumaran Master, which worth’s crores gives requisite verve and character to Jaganath Temple. Jhanodhaya Yogam is having the power of administration. Every year the temple festival is celebrated on Kumbham, Punartham Nakshatra and it continues for eight days. Jaganath temple is within 2 km from Thalassery bus stand.Jaganath temple have been the display – arena of the craft finesse and are the persuasive testimony of the profound dedication of the devoted artisan . Astounding wooden carryings adorn the ceiling of the temple. Beyond caste and religion Jaganath Temple is a mesmerisings boon.

MAKRERI SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE

Makreri Subramanya Temple is the only temple in Kerala where the main thanthri (Pujari) is Hanuman. Hanuman, in Thretha Yugam, has installed the main deity and He still does all the Pujas. Hence the power of this temple is unimaginable, though it is in the interiors and known to lesser number of people.This temple is situated in a place called Makreri (short form of Markkadasseri) near Tellicherry in the district of Cannanore in Kerala. Even though this place is in a remote location from the main town, the temple has been determined by experts to be thousands of years old.Makreri temple is 13 km away from Thalassery, which is considered to be the oldest temple. Subramania and Hanuman are the major moorthis in this temple.

ANNAPURNESWARI TEMPLE, CHERUKUNNU

            The Annapurneswari temple, situated at Cherukunnu near Thaliparamba, is believed to have been constructed by Parasurama. According to tradition, Annapurneswari of Kasi (Banaras) came to Cherukunnu in a ship with three maid servants and a number of their followers. Later, the goddess proceeded to the spot where the temple is now situated.

VELAM GANAPATHY TEMPLE

Velam Ganapthi Temple is just 800 Meters from Mayyil township. Famous Parassini Madappura Muthappan Temple is nearly 8 KM away from Mayyil on the banks of Parassini River.
(Velam's name cam from Mahabharatha. The place where Bhima killed Bakan was called Velam. Bakane Konna Bakalam then termed as Velam).

KAIRATHA KIRATHA TEMPLE, IRITTY

There is a scar mark on left side on the top of the head. This marking is attributed to a story. When Shiva and Parvathi appeared before Arjuna in the form of Kiratha and Kirathu (hunter and huntress) Arjuna hit on the forehead of Kiratha which caused the mark. This was due to mistaken identity.A Brahmin had taken away Vasuki who stood guard to Umamaheshwara (Uma and Maheshwara – Parvathi and Shiva) in a palm-leaf umbrella to his Mana (home) for worship with the blessings of Umamaheshwara. This Brahmin family later became rich and their Mana famed as Pampummekkatt (serving of snake) Mana. This Mana is about 6-km east of Mahadeva temple. It is very famous for serpent Gods. People from all over Kerala and beyond visit here for the solution of problems connected with serpents.This temples famous offering is swayamvara pushpanjali.

KADALAYI SREE KRISHNA TEMPLE

There is an interesting myth connected with the origin of the temple. It is believed that the idol consecrated here is the very idol worshiped by Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna at Dwaraka in Dwapara Yuga millenniums ago. One day it happened that she failed to notice her husband standing near her as she was immersed in performing pooja to the idol. The Lord got furious. He kicked the idol off the pedestal. It flew and fell in the nearby sea. Its right hand was broken. Time and Tide took the idol to the Kannur sea belt. A fisherman happened to net it. It being a precious catch, he presented it to King Valabhan, the Kolathiri King ruling over the area more than thousand years ago. The king had constructed a temple Kadalayi, a village about 6Kms north of Kannur and was on the lookout for an idol to be consecrated there. The astrologers understood the sanctity of the idol and confirmed that the idol, though its hand was broken and thus deformed, was worthy of consecration. The idol was thus consecrated at Kadalayi. When the temple was ruined due to the devastating onslaught of time a new temple was built at Chirakkal one eighty years ago and the old idol re-consecrated. The temple, though situated at Chirakkal, came to be called by its old name Kadalayi.

KEEZHUR SIVA TEMPLE

This temple is in keezhur where thousands of people offer their prayers to Lord Siva.