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Tourist Attractions in Kannur District

Friday, September 23, 2016

MRIDANGA SAILESWARI TEMPLE / മൃദംഗ ശൈലേശ്വരി ക്ഷേത്രം

BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT WORLD RENOWNED MRIDANGASAILESWARI TEMPLE.

Muzhakkunnu Mridanga shaileswary 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. By rail, one can reach the temple either via Kannur or Thalasserry railway station. From Muzhakannu, only road travel is available.

Mridanga Saileswari Temple, situated in Kannur, a land of Theyyam and Thira glorifying the cultural pomp and tradition of Kerala, is believed to belong to the series of 108 Durga Temples set up by Saint Parasuraman.

News Paper article on Muzhakkunnu Mridanga shaileswary Temple.
Mridanga Saileswari Devi is renowned to shower her blessings to all those who pray earnestly before her, lighting the ghee lamp. The diety, Goddess Durga is omnipotent, easy to please, demolisher of evils and foes, and is celebrated as one who grants all the wishes of devotees instantly!


The temple nomenclature revolves round Mridanga, acclaimed to be the mother of all musical instruments, originated in Devaloga or heaven. Devi is presumed to have originated in the form of Mridanga and the reverberation of her voice provided the name Muzhakkunnu, the hill that echoes. MridangaSailam stands for the drum hill and the Goddess seemed to have appeared on the south eastern premises of the temple. Lord Parasurama captivated the essence of Devi into an idol and founded the temple in MridangaSailam or Muzhakkunnu.

It is worth mentioning that Kathakali took shape here in this temple premises by the acclaimed king of Kottayam Thampuran, who got influenced by the Ramanattam of KottarakkaraThampuran. Kottayam Thampuran penned the texts of Bakavadham, Kirmeeravadham, KalyanaSaugandhikam and Nirathakavachakalakeyavadham in this temple.

Malabar Kottayam King pazhassi
Rajas idol at Muzhakunnu Sree
Mridanga saileswari temple
The first lines of Kathakali seeking God’s blessings, speak out the relevance and fame of Mridanga Saileswari and echoes all through the world! A popular myth related to Kathakali, prevailing here is that when Thampuran could not properly visualise the ‘lady figure’ in Kathakali, he meditated for a while. The Goddess appeared in the temple pond, exhibited a lady form and till now without a change, this feminine attire is employed in Kathakali. The clan diety of Kerala Lion Veera Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, Goddess Porkkali stays in trio-state here-that of Saraswathy, the goddess of education, Lakshmi-the goddess of plenty and Kali-the evil destroyer Goddess. In whatever form we appeal to her, Devi appears is in the same shape and structure! The name Porkkali came into existence as sacrifice was offered to Devi by kings before setting out for warfares. This was the custom of all Purali kings as the Goddess was their family diety as expressed in black and white in ‘KokilaSandesham’. The sacrifice and the trance experience happened in the cave temple situated west of the main shrine. ‘Kali’ or blessings for ‘Por’ or war later contributed a new title to Devi as Porkali. The Guha temple believed to be the pivot of all Porkkali temples of South India is now no more, just the remnants remain. We all must anew take pledge on behalf of the Goddess and dedicate ourselves for the renovation of the temple and reconstruction of the Guha temple bringing back its past pomp and glory, lifting it to the forefront to be acclaimed as the best temple of the world. Let us take this as our mission, as it is the need of the times and surrender ourselves for its fruitful enactment!

Seva List / Offering list/ Vazhipaad of Mridanga Saileshweri Temple, 

Mridanga Saileswari Temple Pond
Nearest Airport
The nearest airports are Kozhikode and Mangalore. Upcoming Kannur International Airport is just 15 km away.

Nearest Railway Station 
►Kannur Railway Station
►Thalassery Railway Station

Nearest Bus Stand
Frequent buses are available from Koothuparamba , Iritty and  Mattannur Bus Stand.

Nearest Temples
►Thodeekalam Siva Temple
► Kottiyoor Siva Temple

By Road
It is 44 km from both Thalassery and Kannur, and 55 km from Thaliparambu.

Bus to Mridanga Sailwshweri temple from Iritty.
The route from Thalasserry goes through Koothuparanba towards Mattanur- take a right turn at Uruvachal junction, about 4 km before Mattanur. A ride of 14 km through this road via Thillankerry will take you to Muzhakunnu. The temple is about 200 meters away.

From Kannur move to Mattanur from here to Uliyil ( about 9 km). From Uliyil town take a right turn to reach Thillankerry, and then to Muzhakunnu town.

From Taliparamba go towards to iritty via Sreekandapuram  after iritty town left turn from Pazhanjeri mukk Bus stop towards peravaoor - Nedumpoil Road and after 7kms from kakkayangad town take left turn towards uruvachal road. The temple is about 2.7 kms away.



ഇരിട്ടിയിൽ നിന്ന്.. കാക്കയങ്ങാടിൽ നിന്ന്.. തലശ്ശേരിയില്‍ നിന്ന്...
From Iritty From kakkayangad From Thalassery
7.25 KSRTC 
6.40 KSRTC  7.10 KSRTC
8.20 Avanthika 6.45 Aiswarya  9.15 Kavya
8.35 Shruthy 7.00 Harisree  9.40 Shreyas
9.15 Harikrishna 7.15 Kavya 10.20 Avanthika
9.30 Nandanam  7.25 KSRTC 11.15 KSRTC
10.00 Peralassery 7.35 Shreyas  12.40 KSRTC 
10.30 Lakshmipriya  7.40 KSRTC  3.20 Avanthika
11.00 Gurusannidhi 7.50 Visaka 4.40 Shreyas
11.30 Aiswarya  8.05 Lakshmipriya  6.15 Kavya
11.45 Kavya 8.35 Palazhi ഉരുവച്ചാലിൽ നിന്ന്..
12.25 Shreyas 8.45 Avanthika From Uruvachal
12.40 Kerala  9.00 Shruthy 7.15 Avanthika
1.05 Lakshmipriya  9.45 Harikrishna 7.40 Harikrishna
1.30 KSRTC  10.00 Nandanam  8.00 KSRTC
1.45 Nandanam  10.30 Peralassery 8.30 Peralassery
2.00 Palazhi 10.55 Lakshmipriya  9.15 Gurusannidhi
2.20 Aiswarya  11.25 Gurusannidhi 10.15 Kavya
2.55 Harikrishna  11.55 Aiswarya  10.50 Shreyas
3.20 KSRTC  12.10 Kavya 11.20 Avanthika
3.45 KSRTC  12.55 Shreyas 12.15 KSRTC
4.00 Shreyas  1.05 Kerala  12.45 Visaga
4.20 Lakshmipriya  1.35 Lakshmipriya  1.45 KSRTC
4.35 Peralassery  2.00 KSRTC  2.15 Gurusannidhi
4.55 KSRTC 2.15 Nandanam  2.50 Peralasery
5.05 KSRTC  2.30 Palazhi 3.45 KSRTC
5.20 KSRTC  2.45 Aiswarya  4.15 Avanthika
5.35 Aiswarya  3.00 Visaka  5.10 Gurusannidhi
5.50 Avanthika 3.15 Harikrishna 5.50 Shreyas
6.00 Kerala  3.30 Gurusannidhi  6.45 Visaga
6.15 Palazhi 3.50 KSRTC  7.15 Kavya
6.45 Gurusannidhi  4.05 KSRTC  മട്ടന്നൂരില്‍ നിന്ന്..
7.00 KSRTC  4.20 Shreyas  From Mattannur....
7.10 Lakshmipriya 4.45 Lakshmipriya  7.00 Kerala
8.05 KSRTC  5.00 Peralassery  7.45 Nandanam
8.25 KSRTC 5.10 KSRTC 9.00 LakshmiPriya
കൂത്തുപറമ്പിൽ നിന്ന് 5.20 KSRTC  9.35 Palazhi
From Koothuparamba 5.35 KSRTC  10.05 Aiswarya
7.40 KSRTC 5.55 Aiswarya  11.40 Lakshmipriya
8.10 Peralassery 6.10 Avanthika 11.50 Nandanam
9.00 Gurusannidhi 6.20 Kerala  12.50 Aiswarya
9.55 Kavya 6.35 Palazhi 1.25 Harikrishna
10.25 Shreyas 7.05 Gurusannidhi  2.20 Kerala
11.00 Avanthika 7.15 KSRTC  2.55 Lakshmipriya
11.50 KSRTC 7.35 Lakshmipriya 3.50 Aiswarya 
12.25 Visaga 8.20 KSRTC  4.40 Palazhi
1.20 KSRTC 8.45 KSRTC 5.05 KSRTC
1.50 Gurusannidhi 5.45 Lakshmipriya 
2.30 Peralasery 6.15 Harisree
3.20 KSRTC 6.45 KSRTC
4.00 Avanthika 7.15 Aiswarya 
4.50 Gurusannidhi 8.00 Kerala
5.20 Shreyas
6.20 Visaga
6.55 Kavya







Saturday, June 4, 2016

Edakkal Caves, Wayanad

Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Edakkal Caves

Edakkal Caves,Edakkal Rock engravings are invaluable treasures of the world heritage. It got the name edakkal because of the structure of the cave formed by the stone, Edakkal means 'a stone in between'.
Kerala School Tour
Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Edakkal Caves Wayanad

Edakkal Caves Wayanad


Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Edakkal Caves Wayanad


Steps to Edakkal caves

Aswin pathmakumar 



inside Edakkal caves



inside upper Edakkal caves


Eddakkal caves - Stone drawings from 5000 BC.
Eddakkal caves - Stone drawings from 5000 BC.




Eddakkal caves - Stone drawings from 5000 BC.
Eddakkal caves - Stone drawings from 5000 BC.


Eddakkal caves - 



Eddakkal caves
Edakkal Caves 
Top view of Wayanad
Amazing wayand, From the top of Edakkal Caves



Top view of Wayanad
Amazing wayand, From the top of Edakkal Caves


kerala School Tour


Passage to the edakkal caves are very steep and narrow and once you reach the top of the cave you can view the top view of Wayanad hills. Earlier people used to go for trekking in the ‘Ambukuthi Hills’ from the top of the second cave. Now banned by Govenrnment.


Edakkal Rock engravings are invaluable treasures of the world heritage. The site was first reported in the journal 'Indian Antiquary 'in 1901 in an illustrated article written by F.Fawcett, the superintent of police of the erstwhile Malabar District.

Rock art in the form of paintings are there in plenty.but engravings in edakkal caves are unique. The edakkal engravings represent various objects and cultural signs of the past societies. The drawings include figures of humans and animals , trees, wheels, carts and also symbols, letters and numeric signs Human figures depicted in different styles are the most important items among the drawings. Wheels carts etc are also depicted in different styles.Some of the newly found figures are comparable with signs and symbols reported from various Chalcolithic and Bronze age sites of the sub continent.

There are two caves one above the other, the engravings are all on the upper cave, The upper cave is evidently supported by the lower one.carrying capacity of these caves is naturally limited. Therefore number of visitors to the monument at a time has to be restricted according to the capacity of the rock formation.

Impairment of any kind of this monument cannot be repaired. it is our earnest responsibility to preserve this most valuable world heritage without any damage
Edakkal Cave
Edakkal caves hill in the background

Entry Hours:


Saturday 8AM–2PM

Sunday 8AM–2PM

Monday Closed
Tuesday 8AM–2PM
Wednesday 8AM–2PM
Thursday 8AM–2PM
Friday 8AM–2PM

How to reach 
Edakkal is around 14km south of Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district of Kerala. Sulthan Bathery is the nearest (KSRTC) bus station and Ambalavayal is the nearest town bus and jeep service available from ambalavayal to Edakkal. 

Address: Wayanad, Nenmeni, Kerala 673595, India
Edakkal Bus
Bus to Edakkal Cave.
Phone: +91 99470 42559

Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Rly Station
Nearest Airport : Karipur International Airport
Nearest Bus Stand: Sulthan Bathery 
Route : Kozhikode ► Sulthan bathery ► Ambalavayal ► Edakkal 

Near By Tourist Attractions:
  • Chembra Peak
  • Pookod Lake
  • Kuruva Islands

Monday, June 23, 2014

Kottiyoor Temple / Kottiyoor Mahadeva Temple / Kottiyoor Amalam

Kottiyoor Temple / Kottiyoor Mahadeva Temple is a very famous Siva temple in Kottiyoor, Kannur District, on the bank of bavali river. 
The Lord of Kottiyoor Temple is known as Kottiyoor Perumal. Kottiyoor temple is also known as  'Varanasi of the South' (Dakshinakashi). There are 2 temples Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyyoor (The Main Temple). Akkare Kottiyoor is opened only during the annual festival (ulsavam) "Vaisakha Maholsavam". During the Vaisakha Maholsavam the ikkare kottiyoor (the Main temple) will be closed. 
kottiyoor 2018
Kottiyoor Temple

kottiyoor festival 2018
Kottiyoor Temple
Kottiyoor ulsavam 2018
Kottiyoor Temple
kottiyoor latest
Kottiyoor Temple

അമ്മാറക്കല്ല്  Ammarakallu , Place where Parvathy Devi  is worshiped, Kottiyoor Temple

 It is believed that Prajapathy Daksha, father of Sathi Devi performed a Yaga at this place. Sathi Devi and her husband Lord Shiva was not invited for the yaga. Sathi Devi went to the yaga place to meet her father, but he insulted lord shiva and Sathi devi. she immedialtely jumbed into to yagna Fire and killed herself for the shame caused infront of all the guests. After this even Lord shiva out of anger came to the yaga place and opened his third eye (Thrikannu) and destroyed everything and  King Dhaksha also died, Later, as per the request of Lord Vishnu and Brahma, Lord Shiva gave birth to Dhaksha and alowed him to complete the yaga. Dhaksha understood his mistake and he started worsiping lord shiva at this place and Lord shiva came infront of him in the form of Swayambhoo Lingam (idol). These are the beliefs about the Kottiyor temple.

Kottiyoor Manithara

Ikkare Kottiyoor
 This temple is different from other temples, The Diety in akkare kottiyyor is "Swayambhoo",(that which is created by its own) and opened for only 28 days in a year for the Vyshaka Maholsavam. Ilaneer Veppu or submitting tender coconuts before the deity is an main ritual during the festival. Thousands of tender coconuts brought by the devotees from different parts of malabar is submitted on the special day. The next day is Ilaneerattam. On this day, main priest pours these coconut water collected from the tender coconuts (ilaneer) on the idol.Womens are permitted to enter the akkare kottiyor for some particular days during the festival.

Kottiyoor route
Bavali River @ Kottiyoor Temple
The Bavali River, Paalukaachi hill are some of the tourists attractions in kottiyoor. The nearest Town is Kelakam.


Kottiyoor Bus
Bus To Kottiyoor Temple From Payyannur
via (Kannur►Koothuparamba►Kottiyoor)
You can reach kottiyyor easily from Kannur, Thalassery , Iritty and Wayanad.There are frequent bus services to Kottiyoor from Kannur, Thalassery , Iritty and Manathavady. Iritty - Manathanthavady KSRTC Buses goes via Kottiyoor.

To Reach Kottiyoor

  • Kannur ► Koothuparamba ► Nedumpoil ► Kottiyoor
  • Kannur ► Mattannur ► Iritty ► Peravoor ► Kottiyoor
  • Thalassery ► Koothuparamba ► Nedumpoil ► Kottiyoor
  • Iritty ►  Peravoor ► Kelakam ► Kottiyoor
  • Mananthavady ► Boys Town ► PaalChuram ► Kottiyyor


Nearest Railway Station 

  • Thalassery 60Kms
  • Kannur Rly Station 70Kms
Vaisakha Maholsavam dates for year 2016

  • 14-May-2016, Saturday - Neerezhunnallathu 
  • 20-May-2016, Friday - Neyattam
  • 21-May-2016, Saturday - Bhandaram Ezhunnallathu (Mid night, Ladies will be Allowed only after this)
  • 27-May-2016, Friday - Thiruvonam Aradhana
  • 28-May-2016, Saturday - Ilaneer Veypu
  • 29-May-2016, Sunday - Ashtami Aradhana, Ilaneerattam
  • 1-June-2016, Wednesday - Revathi Aradhana
  • 5-June-2016, Sunday - Rohini Aradhana
  • 7-June-2016, Tuesday - Thiruvathira Chathussatham
  • 8-June-2016, Wednesday - Punartham Chathussatham
  • 10-June-2016, Friday - Aayilyam Chathussatham
  • 11-June-2016, Saturday - Makam Kalam Varavu (After 12.00PM, Ladies won't be allowed)
  • 14-June-2016, Tuesday - Atham Chathussatham, Valattam, Kalasa Pooja
  • 15-June-2016, Wednesday - Thrukkalassattu

Elaborate rituals and offerings are open to devotees during the festival. Visit the Kottiyoor Vazhipadu Offerings page for the details and rates.