Kottiyoor is a small town situated in the district of Kannur, Kerala.

Kottiyoor is in the valley of huge hills and a short stroll away from the forest. Kottiyoor is the 23rd Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala, located in the enchanting serene hills of Western Ghats. One of the famous sites here is the Kottiyoor Shiva temple also referred to as “Dakshina Kashi”, Situated on the banks of the river “Bavalipuzha”.  This temple has 2 Sanctorum, one is the “Ikkare” Kottiyoor (Which in Malayalam Means near the side of the river) and the other “Akkare” Kottiyoor (the far side of the river) situated amidst the Kottiyoor forest.  While the presiding deity in both the temples is lord Shiva, it is the Shiva lingam that is worshiped in both places. The Akkare Kottiyoor temple is open only from June-July (Vaishakam months) while the Ikkare Kottiyoor temple is open throughout the year except from June-July (Vaishakam months). 

History says that During ancient times Kottiyoor was a densely forested area and was inhabited by native people called the “Kurichans”. Fishing, cattle rearing, and paddy cultivation were the primary occupations of these native people. Legend has it that one day a Kurichan during his daily routine through the forest, stops to sharpen his arrow on a uniquely shaped stone. Immediately he notices bleeding from the top of the stone. Bewildered he runs in a frenzy and reaches the “Padinjitta Illam”. The Namboodri there asks him about the happenings and the Kurichan narrates the incident of bleeding. It crosses the equally puzzled Namboodiri that this is due to some divine power. He immediately informs the Mannanthala Nair chieftain (Anju veetukar), who held suzerainty over that area, and under their supervision, the Namboodri conducts the necessary absolutions, to stop the bleeding. The bleeding doesn’t stop despite all the extensive rituals. It was then that a person belonging to the “Thiyya” community offers tender coconut and by using the nectar from the tender coconut the bleeding comes to a stop. That perhaps is the reason why tender coconuts are carried as offering even to this day at Akkare Kottiyoor, by pilgrims from the “Thiyya “community. 

The case with any religious place, there are several other stories connected with it. Suffice it to say that Akkare Kottiyoor temple's annual celebrations during the months of June-July offer specific privileges to all people belonging to different castes. All in all, very inclusive celebrations involving people of all denominations. The huts are made only of bamboo and coconut leaves. The temple complex consists of mansions. There is a rock it’s called manithara, made of the stones and soil of bavali (river). There is also a stone in the presence of the goddess. Kottiyoor is famous for its festivals. The annual festival of Kottiyoor temple is 28 days festival that begins on the chothi nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Edavam. The neyyattam (festival) ritual on the chothi day marks the beginning of the festival and the Thrikkalashattu ritual on the chothi nakshatra of mithunam month marks the end of the festival. This festival partakes in part of the environment of Vela and Pooram. The temple is located at the foot of the Waynad high grounds rising 3,000 to 5,000 feet from the sides of the little glade. The festival is attended by all categories but they do not mix simultaneously. The Nairs proceed first and after a couple of days, the Nairs having finished, the Thiyyans and so on. One of the main ritualistic programs in this festival is Elaneer Vayppu in which tender coconut brought by the devotees is offered before the swayambhoo lingam (lord shiva).  

The divine festival concludes with Elaneerattam in which the collected tender coconut water is poured on the idol by the head priest.  As a part of this festival, a procession (Ezhunnallippu) is held with two elephants carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. After the procession, the elephants are fed well (Aanayootu) and given a formal farewell. The elephants salute the deity and walk back accompanied by the beat of the percussion instruments while the devotees gather in large numbers to watch the spectacle. Kottiyoor is a wonderful tourist spot for biologists, nature sight-seers, and mountaineering trekkers. Neendunokki, Palukachiyamala, Chappumala, pannyamal, Kelakam are all serene green places suitable for Eco tourism. The forest is serene, and a large variety of birds and seasonal butterflies are seen here. Palukachipara's hilltop is a popular location for usual trekkers.