Kottiyoor Temple
Dakshan, the son of Brahma, set out on a ‘Tapas’ as directed by his father. The ‘Tapas’ was to have the mighty Durga to be born as his daughter. After a long time, Durga materilised before him and agreed to his wish on the condition that, she would cease to be his daughter and turn destructive if she is slighted. Months later Dakshan’s pregnant wife Prasoothi gave birth to a baby girl. Dakshan named her ‘Sathi’ while people called her ‘Dakshayani’. Sathi grew up into an incredibilly beautiful young woman, desired by one and all.
Dakshan now sought to increase his prestige, through a prestigious matrimonial alliance for his daughter. But Sathi loved, worshiped and wished to marry Lord Shiva, residing in Kailasa.
Dakshan tried his best to change Sathi’s intention, heaping insults on Shiva.
Dakshan never had a liking for Lord Shiva. He was quite derisive towards Lord Shiva, While Shiva was always tolerant of the rich, arrogant Dakshan.
It was time for ‘Sathi’s’ swayamvaram. Nobles and kings from all over were invited. A clay model of Shiva was placed at the entrance, as a common doorkeeper,Dakshan’s ultimate insult of the Lord.
Sathi walked in, but her searching eyes could not see Shiva anywhere. She waited. Then walked out and placed the garland on the clay model of Shiva.
Shiva appeared at once. Accepted Sathi and returned to Kailasa. Dakshan’s fury now turned on his daughter too.
The annual festival at Kottiyoor Shiva Temple is 28 days festival which begins on the Chothi nakshatram or Swati Naksthtra in the Malayalam month of Edavam. The Neyyattam ritual on the Chothi day marks the beginning of the festival and the Thrikkalashaattu ritual on the Chothi nakshatram of Mithunam month marks the end of the festival. Below are the details of dates of Vaisakha Maholsavam Festival 2011 at Kottiyoor Mahadeva Kshetram.

Kalam Varavu

Kalam –pots for kalam pooja, conducted on makam, pooram, uthram days, are brought to Kottiyoor from the villege Nallur; Four families – Nellooranmaar – hailing from kulalaya – caste engaged in making pots – have this right by birth. 156 pots bound together with strips from plants growing wild , in bundles of 12 each are brought in a procession. 12 people form the procession. They reach Kottiyoor after dusk. Before reaching Akkere kottiyoor, they remove their cloths and put on leaves instead. Rites demand, that by the time they reach Akkare Kottiyoor, the ‘Sannidhanam’ – temple premises should be in pitch darkness. All the settlements should have shut their doors, and the people inside should sit in the dark. Pannoor Sthanikan Brahmin, binds his eyes and sits with his back turned on the Manithara. After offering the pots, the pot bearers on reaching the Manithara are given prasadam from the back. The pots are kept in the settlement of karimbanekkal Chathoth. All except Nellooral sthanikan, then return. 142 pots are used in pooja. Its at night, sacred and secret, these poojas cannot be witnessed by anyone. Kala pooja takes place on Pooram or Uthram at night.
Makam Kalam Varavu – 8th June 2011(No entry for women after 12.00 noon)
Attham Chathu Satham, Kalasha Pooja – 11th June 2011
Thrikkalashaattu – 12th June 2011 (Festival concludes)
Elaneer Vayppu, Elaneeraattam, and Rohini Aaradhana are some of the important rituals performed as part of the Vaisakha Maholsavam festival at Kottiyoor Shiva Temple. Women devotees are not allowed to enter Akkare Kottiyoor temple before Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu reaches Akkare Kottiyoor Temple on 17th May 2011 (2nd Edavam 1186) and after Makam Sheeveli on 8th June 2011.