- DARSHAN AT KOTTIYOOR TEMPLE -

- DARSHAN AT KOTTIYOOR TEMPLE - 
 
  During my stay at Kerala in June 2008, I travelled to Kottiyoor for the first time. Kottiyoor, a one and half hour drive from my hometown Thalassery, is known for the Lord Shiva Temple situated there. It is believed that the Shiva Lingam there is self-born. Kottiyoor is a forest area and not very much inhabited. It is a beautiful place spread on the banks of river Bavali. The temple Akkare Kshetram is open only from May to June in a year and attracts large number of devotees from remote places. 
 
  On that crowded Sunday morning I was accompanied by my friends Raju Mohan & Devapriyan. We saw large number of people heading to Kottiyoor. Prior to enter the temple premises we had a bath in Bavali river and joined a long and slow-moving queue. The temple, a simple hut like structure with palm leaf roof, is situated in the middle of a pool of water. The mountainous outskirts and the greenery make the spot simply beautiful. After standing for a few hours we had Darshan. Soon the temple was closed for a short time for Puja and followed by elephant procession with musical accompaniment. On way back we saw the queue was becoming longer and longer. Now we crossed the river and visited another temple called Ikkare Kshetram which is a normal temple structure and open throughout the year. After walking out we could not refrain ourselves from entering one of many a food stalls out there. The place is full of stalls with local goodies. And soon we started back to Thalassery.