Pilgrim Centres
Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple
The Parassinikadavu temple is situated 18 kms northeast of Kannur, on the banks of River Valapattanam. The temple, locally known as Parassini Madapura, has many distinctive rituals and customs that mark it as distinct from other temples in the state. Even the three-storeyed structure, painted white, is different from the common style of traditional temples.
The temple compound is full of stray dogs. No one attempts to chase them out and they are allowed to roam around as they please. This unusual tolerance stems from a belief that dogs are the favourite companions of the temple deity.
The deity is Muthappan, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. According to a legend, a long time ago a child named Muthappan, who had an insatiable appetite for meat, dry fish and liquor, roamed the area. On account of his strange ways, he was cast out by his family. Sometime later, a series of incidents proved beyond doubt that the child was no ordinary mortal but one who manifested the Divine. Muthappan soon vanished without a trace, and the temple was built by the natives here, in his name, as he was believed to have been an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
One of the main offerings at the temple is dried fish and toddy. Such a custom is not known to be followed in any other temple in the state. The temple is also distinctive in that it allows entry to all devotees, irrespective of their religion. They may go around the temple and near the sanctum sanctorum.
From October to February, the ritualistic dance of Theyyam is performed every night at the temple premises. The Theyyam artiste, who performs in the beautiful setting, is able to cast a magical spell on the audience with his spiritually charged performance. There is a Kathakali club attached to the temple, and the authorities arrange Kathakali performances on prior request.
Odathil Palli
Odathil Palli, half a kilometer from the Thalassery Fort, is one of the ancient mosques in Thalassery. The mosque traces its origin to Chowakkaran Moosakkaka, who was a commission agent of the East India Company and a leading spice merchant of the time. The erstwhile King of Travancore gifted him the wood required to construct the shrine. It is said that Moosakkaka sent the materials and the workers to Thalassery in an Odam, a kind of boat, which gave the mosque its name, Odathil Palli.
The mosque was designed in typical Kerala style of architecture, with no domes or minarets. The roof is covered with copper sheets, and there is intricate woodwork on the walls and pillars.
Thiruvangadu Sree Ramaswami Temple
The Sree Ramaswami Temple, about 23 kms from Kannur, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Legend has it that Sage Parasurama, who is said to have reclaimed Kerala from the Arabian Sea, created this temple. With its sculptures, mural paintings and intricate carvings in wood, the temple is a connoisseur’s delight. The carvings, which are believed to be 400 years old, depict gods, goddesses, animals and scenes from epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The annual festival of the temple is observed on “Vishu” (the first day of the Malayalam New Year) in the Malayalam month of Medam (April), and lasts seven days.
Rajarajeshwara temple
The Rajarajeshwara temple, near Taliparamba, is one of the important Shiva temples in South India. The massive boundary walls and the two-tiered pyramidal roof capture one’s attention on reaching the temple premises. A unique feature of the temple, believed to have been built by the Mooshika king Sapasoman, is the absence of a flagstaff.
It is believed that after eight in the evening, Lord Shiva is present in the temple along with Goddess Parvathy and that during these hours, they will grant any wish of their women devotees.
Performances of traditional art forms like Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu are held here regularly. The scholar-trustees of the temple used to present the ‘Veera sringala’ [bracelet] as a token of their appreciation to great artistes. Koodiyattam maestro Mani Madhava Chakyar is one of the many artistes who was honoured with the Veera sringala here.
Madhur Temple
Madhur temple is located on the banks of River Madhuvahini at a distance of about eight kilometres from Kasaragod town. Though the name Madhur Ananteshwara Vinayaka temple suggests that the deity is Lord Ganapathy, the temple is actually dedicated to Anantheswara, a manifestation of Lord Shiva.
History and architecture
The temple was built by the Mypadi rulers of Kumbla in the 10th century and was renovated later to its present form in the 15th century. The imposing temple attracts not only devotees but also connoisseurs of architecture who find its blend of Hindu and Jain architectural styles fascinating.
The temple has a three-tiered dome of which the top two storeys have copper plate roofing and the lower one has tile-roofing. The intricately carved wooden pillars and beams inside the temple compound speak volumes for the artistry of the craftsmen of a bygone era. The walls and roofs of the temple are decorated with stucco images depicting scenes from Indian mythology. The Namaskara Mandapam (the pavilion in front of the sanctum) is adorned with wood carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. There is a deep well inside the temple compound. The water, which remains untouched by the rays of the sun, is believed to have many curative properties.
The temple has a history associated with many rulers, especially the Kumbla ruler, Jai Simha I. There is also a story associated with Tipu Sultan. While on his conquering spree, Tipu approached this temple with the intention of destroying it. Feeling thirsty, he had some water from the well inside the temple. It is said that after relaxing for a while, Tipu changed his mind and left the temple untouched, except for a mark made with his dagger. The mark of Tipu’s dagger can still be seen here.
Sree Mahalingeshwara temple
Sree Mahalingeshwara temple is one of the popular Shiva temples in Kasaragod, situated in Panayal village, 16 kms from Kasaragod town. This 13th century temple is located on the banks of Payaswini river. It is a popular shrine believed to have been constructed by Arjuna, one of the mythical Pandava warrior prince, in the Indian epic Mahabharata.
The corniced laterite walls, tiled roof, exquisite carvings on the wooden rafters based on the Vedas and colourful wall paintings of the gods are some of the highlights of the temple. The annual festival celebrated here falls in the month of February/March.
Manjeswaram, about 15 kms from Kasaragod, is an ancient town, nourished by the Manjeswaram river. The town is home to many centers of worship including Hindu and Jain temples, mosques and churches. There are 15 mosques in Manjeswaram. One of the important temples here is the Srimad Anantheshwara temple close to the Karnataka border.
Jain temples
One of the old Jain bastis (Jain temples) here is the Hosangadi Chaturmukha Vathayana temple. Chaturmukha means four faces. The temple houses four idols of Vardhamana Mahaveera facing four directions.
Muzhakkunnu Mridanga saileswari Temple
Muzhakkunnu Mridanga saileswari Temple is one of the most famous Devi (DURGA) temples in Kerala. The lady form of KADHAKALI originated from Muzhakkunnu by Kottayam rajavu. This temple is believed to be the family temple of Veera Pazassirajah.
Morning hours: 05:00 Am to 12:30 Am | Evening hours: 05:00 Pm to 08:00 Pm
PUJA TIMINGS
Usha Pooja @ 07:00 Am [Dawn Prayer] | Uchha Pooja @ 11:00 Am [Noon Prayer] | Atthazha Pooja @: 07:15 Pm [Evening Prayer]
Deeparadhana: Time aligned with Sunset
Pazhayangadi Mosque
The 500-year-old Pazhayangadi Mosque at Kondotty is one of the most revered Muslim pilgrim centers in Kerala. The mosque, situated about 18 kms from Manjeri, is associated with the Muslim saint from Persia, Kondotty Thangal.
This centuries-old mosque is built in traditional Mughal architectural style and is characterized by facets of intricate works and a large white Dome that stands out against the green hilly environment.
The famed festival here is the Kondotty Nercha which falls in the month of February/March. The festival is marked by several cultural programmes, including musical recitals.
Kottiyoor Shiva Temple
The Kottiyoor Shiva temple, known as the “Varanasi of the South” is a popular pilgrim center in northern Kerala. There are two temples here – the ‘Akkare Kottiyoor’ and the ‘Ikkare Kottiyoor’ that are collectively called as Kottiyoor Shiva temple. They are located on either side of River Bavali that can be reached through a stretch of thick forests.
The temple is associated with ‘Daksha yaga’, a popular legend of Hindu mythology. Vaisakha festival is an important celebration here that falls in the month of May and lasts 28 days. Devotees from far-off regions come to attend the festival, which begins with Neyyattam.
During the Neyyattam ritual, a sword kept at the temple of Muthirikavu in Tavinal village is brought to Ikkare Kottiyoor. Ghee is then poured ceremoniously over the sword.
The Akkare Kottiyoor temple does not have the common formal structure of a temple and remains open only on festival days. Devotees offer tender coconuts to the deity, and also perform the act of pouring tender coconut water on the idol. This ritual is called Elaneerattam.
Jagannatha Temple
The Jagannath temple, situated about one kilometer from Thalassery city, was constructed under the leadership of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, in 1908. Sree Narayana Guru was a spiritual leader and philosopher, who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden classes.
Contrary to popular custom, non-Brahmins perform the pooja and rituals here. Since the 1920s, it has allowed entry to the scheduled castes, when other temples prevented them from even entering the temple compound.
St John's Anglican Church
The St John’s Anglican Church, near Thalassery Fort, was built in 1869 by Sir Edward Brennan, who reportedly reached Thalassery after a shipwreck. He was the Master Attendant at Thalassery during British rule. Though he provided the funds for the construction of the church, it could be completed only after his death. His tomb can be seen in the church cemetery with an epitaph that reads “The Sterling Upright Englishman”.
The church is a fine example of the Anglican and Gothic styles of architecture. The structure received a facelift in the recent past with funds provided by the Departments of Archaeology and Tourism.
Ananthapura Temple
The Ananthapura Lake Temple is located in the middle of a lake in the village of Ananthapura, about 14 kms from Kasaragod town. To reach the temple, one has to take the bridge near the Kumbla-Badiyadka road. It is the only such temple in the whole of Kerala. The temple is known as the moolasthanam, the original abode, of the Lord Padmanabha of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Watch the video of Ananthapura Lake Temple.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Padmanabha who is seated on the serpent king, Anantha and on both sides of Bhoodevi, the Goddess of Earth and Sreedevi, the Goddess of Prosperity are seated. Garuda and Hanuman stand in front of them praying with folded hands. The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century. Since then, the temple has been renovated many times. Apart from the beautiful place, it is located in, the temple is also known for its mural paintings.
On the north-eastern corner of the lake is a large cave with a small pit that holds water. It is said that water in the pit never goes dry.
Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque
Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, one of the earliest mosques built in Malabar, is situated at Thalankara, about two kms from Kasaragod town. It is believed to have been built by Malik Ibn Dinar, who is credited with the propagation of Islam in Kerala.
The mosque, which resembles a palace built in the typical Kerala style of architecture, has two storeys and massive beams. The structure that stands today is not the original one that Dinar constructed. Initially, it was only a small structure with a thatched roof.
The peculiarity of Dinar’s mosque is that its entire flooring was done using the marble stones that Dinar brought from Mecca. Later, when the mosque was reconstructed, it was made into an elaborate structure, but the marbles from Mecca and some doors of the original mosque were retained.
Intricate carvings in Arabic can be seen on the wooden beams and pillars. The mosque details its history of construction in Arabic on the latticed woodwork.
This huge mosque with tiled roof also houses the grave of Malik Ibn Muhammad, a member of Dinar’s family, though some historians believe that the tomb is that of Malik Ibn Dinar himself.
The main celebrations of the Mosque include Uroos and other festivals to commemorate the arrival of Dinar at Kerala.
Peralassery Subramanya temple
Peralassery Subramanya temple is a pilgrim location situated about 14 kms from Kannur. The temple is believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Lakshmana made a pit stop on their way to Sri Lanka. As per the Ramayana, this happened as they set about to rescue Sita. The main deity is Lord Subramanya in serpent form, and the chief offerings are eggs.
The massive temple pond has countless steps that reflect a unique and intricate style of architecture, which cannot be seen elsewhere in Kerala; attracting thousands to this divine place. The annual Kodiyettam festival draws huge crowds to the temple
Pilgrim centres in Mancheswaram
Manjeswaram is home to a number of old churches as well. Famous among them is the Bela Church (the church at a place called Bela), known as Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Bela.
It is said that the church was built by the Konkani Catholics who fled Sreeranga Pattanam in the 18th century fearing persecution by Tipu Sultan. They first made a small thatched church at Kudrepady. Later, in the last decades of the 19th century, the church was shifted to its present location, about 11 kms from Kumbla. The annual festival here falls in the month of December.
Trichambaram temple
The Trichambaram temple is situated in Taliparamba, about 20 kms from Kannur. As the deity is Lord Krishna, the temple is an important pilgrim centre for the Vaishnavites. It is believed to have been built in the 10th century. The two-storeyed sanctum sanctorum houses the idol of Krishna, triumphant after the annihilation of Kamsa, the demon king. The ancient sculptures and murals on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are captivating.
The temple festival falls in the month of March. The conspicuous absence of elephants in the festival makes it markedly different from those of other temples. Elephants are not allowed into the temple as it is believed that Kamsa had sent elephants to kill Sri Krishna.
Sree Makreri temple
Sree Makreri temple is another place of worship in Kannur, and is associated with the Peralassery temple. According to the temple myth, Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, installed the idol in Thretha Yuga. Since the supreme markkadan [monkey] consecrated the idol, the temple got the name Markaddassery and over time it was shortened to Makreri. It is the only temple in Kerala, where the tantri [chief priest] is Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) himself. The main deities are Lord Anjaneya, Lord Vishnu and Ganapathi.
The temple pond is also considered ancient and it is believed that Lord Hanuman dug the pond with his tail. Devotees claim to have experienced the presence of Lord Hanuman in the temple premises. Thaipooyam in the Malayalam month of Makaram (February-March) is celebrated as the festival day at this temple.
V. Dakshinamoorthy Swamikal, the renowned musician and music composer in Malayalam film industry, had a great role to play in the renovation of the temple. A museum dedicated to him has a collection of awards he received during his career. Every year, Swamikal used to come here and perform before the Lord, and it was a time of great celebration for the villagers.
Visiting Timings: Morning 5.00 am – 1.00 pm | Evening 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm