Kottiyoor Temple

A remote forest Shiva shrine on the Bavali river, site of the ancient 28-day Kottiyoor Vaisakha Mahotsavam pilgrimage; the Akkare shrine has no permanent roof and is open only during the festival.

Town guide: Kannur city Kannur district Get directions →

Practical guide

Plan Kottiyoor Temple

Typetemple

Nearest baseKannur city

Best timeMorning or early evening is usually best

Time needed45 minutes to 2 hours, longer during festival or queue periods

EntryFree; the Akkare shrine is accessible only during the annual festival.

Nearest town/baseKannur city

DistrictKannur

Place typetemple

Time needed45 minutes to 2 hours, longer during festival or queue periods.

A remote forest Shiva shrine on the Bavali river, site of the ancient 28-day Kottiyoor Vaisakha Mahotsavam pilgrimage; the Akkare shrine has no permanent roof and is open only during the festival.

Kottiyoor Temple belongs under Kannur city, one of the practical travel bases in Kannur district. Use Kannur city for stays, food, local transport and operators, then plan this place as a focused stop rather than an isolated pin.

Visiting

Kottiyoor Temple — at a glance

TimingsThe Akkare Kottiyoor shrine opens only for the ~28-day Vaisakha Mahotsavam (around May–June); the Ikkare shrine is open through the year.

Best timeThe Vaisakha Mahotsavam (roughly May–June) is the one time the forest shrine comes alive; dates shift yearly.

Entry: Free; the Akkare shrine is accessible only during the annual festival.

Getting there: A remote forest temple on the Bavali river in eastern Kannur, reached via Kelakam/Manathana.

An ancient Shiva pilgrimage in the forest, with the roofless Akkare shrine across the river used only during the festival — one of Kerala’s most atmospheric temple traditions.

What to expect

Highlights

Temple visit at Kottiyoor Temple
Kerala temple architecture and rituals
Local food, shops and pilgrim services nearby

Getting there

How to visit

Base yourself in Kannur city or a nearby town in Kannur, then confirm the last-mile route locally before leaving.
Check temple entry customs, dress rules and festival crowd conditions before arrival.
If the visit depends on forest, temple, boat, ferry, weather or seasonal access, check the official/local rule on the day before travel.

Distance by road

Kozhikode92 km
Mangaluru143 km
Mysuru179 km
Coimbatore267 km
Kochi270 km

Road km to Kannur; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.

Timing

Best time

Morning or early evening is usually best; festival days can be powerful but crowded.

Weather in Kottiyoor TempleSeasonal guide

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Visitor notes

Dress modestly and follow local entry rules.
Photography may be restricted inside temple areas.

Safety

Good to know

Use official counters for offerings/tickets where applicable.
Keep footwear and valuables secure in crowded areas.

On the map

Where Kottiyoor Temple is

Photos

Kottiyoor Temple in pictures

Nearby

What’s near Kottiyoor Temple

wildlifeAralam Wildlife Sanctuary3.1 km away damPazhassi Dam29.5 km away heritageGundert Bungalow43.0 km away heritageThalassery Fort43.1 km away viewpointOverbury’s Folly43.2 km away islandDharmadam Island46.1 km away

Good to know

Kottiyoor Temple — frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Kottiyoor Temple?

Morning or early evening is usually best; festival days can be powerful but crowded.

What are the entry fee and timings at Kottiyoor Temple?

Entry: Free; the Akkare shrine is accessible only during the annual festival.. Timings: The Akkare Kottiyoor shrine opens only for the ~28-day Vaisakha Mahotsavam (around May–June); the Ikkare shrine is open through the year.. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.

How do I reach Kottiyoor Temple?

Base yourself in Kannur city or a nearby town in Kannur, then confirm the last-mile route locally before leaving. Check temple entry customs, dress rules and festival crowd conditions before arrival. If the visit depends on forest, temple, boat, ferry, weather or seasonal access, check the official/local rule on the day before travel.

How much time do I need for Kottiyoor Temple?

45 minutes to 2 hours, longer during festival or queue periods.

What else is near Kottiyoor Temple?

Nearby you can pair Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (3.1 km), Pazhassi Dam (29.5 km), Gundert Bungalow (43.0 km), Thalassery Fort (43.1 km).

What should I know before visiting Kottiyoor Temple?

Use official counters for offerings/tickets where applicable. Keep footwear and valuables secure in crowded areas.

Stories & guides for Kottiyoor Temple

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Verified local inventory

Businesses around Kottiyoor Temple

Roampedia only publishes businesses after admin approval or owner verification. These are the exact listing categories this place should carry; real businesses appear here as they are verified.

Magnet Hotel Kannur — 4-Star hotel in Kannur city

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4-Star hotel · Kannur city

Magnet Hotel Kannur

₹₹₹₹ 4-star

Four-star facility hotel at Chirakkal, Puthiyatheru, on the northern edge of Kannur city. It offers luxury air-conditioned rooms, multi-cuisine dining and banquet and event spaces as one of the city’s newer upmarket hotels. (stay option in Kannur city)

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4-Star hotel · Kannur city

The Hotel Elegance Kannur

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Kerala Tourism-classified 4-star hotel on the banks of the Tejaswini river at Karuvanchal, Alakode, in the eastern highlands of Kannur district. It offers luxury air-conditioned rooms and suites, a coffee shop, business centre and roof garden as an upmarket riverside base. (stay option in Kannur city)

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Kesavatheeram Ayurveda Hospital Ezhilode — Ayurveda and panchakarma hospital in Kannur city

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Ayurveda and panchakarma hospital · Kannur city

Kesavatheeram Ayurveda Hospital Ezhilode

Registered Ayurveda and panchakarma hospital at Puracheri, Ezhilode, north of Kannur city. It provides physician-led classical Ayurvedic treatment, panchakarma therapy and rejuvenation programmes in a dedicated treatment facility rather than a hotel spa. (do option in Kannur city)

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Malabar Beach Resort Ayurvedic Spa Thottada — Beach-resort Ayurvedic spa and wellness centre in Kannur city

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Beach-resort Ayurvedic spa and wellness centre · Kannur city

Malabar Beach Resort Ayurvedic Spa Thottada

Ayurvedic spa and wellness centre at the Malabar Beach Resort on Thottada Beach south of Kannur city. It offers Ayurveda massage, therapy and rejuvenation packages in a palm-fringed seafront garden setting, aimed at travellers combining coast and wellness. (do option in Kannur city)

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Kerala Tourism-classified Ayurveda nursing home · Kannur city

Itoozhi Namboothiri's Ayurveda Nursing Home

Kerala Tourism Ayur-Silver classified Ayurveda nursing home at Mayyil in Kannur district, run by the traditional Itoozhi Namboothiri Ayurveda family. It offers physician-led panchakarma, classical treatments and residential Ayurveda care rooted in a long Namboothiri lineage. (do option in Kannur city)

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Hotel Sky Palace Kannur — Affordable business hotel in Kannur city

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Affordable business hotel · Kannur city

Hotel Sky Palace Kannur

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Affordable business hotel at Metro Tower, Thavakkara Road, in central Kannur, positioned by Kerala Tourism as meeting travellers’ needs at surprisingly affordable rates. It provides value air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and city-centre access close to the railway station and bus stand. (stay option in Kannur city)

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Budget 2-star hotel · Kannur city

Green Park Residency Kannur

₹₹ 2-star

Kerala Tourism-classified 2-star deluxe hotel opposite the Railway Muthappan Temple at Thavakkara in central Kannur, within walking distance of Kannur Railway Station. It offers affordable air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and banquet facilities as one of the city’s most economical KT-classified hotels. (stay option in Kannur city)

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3-Star business hotel · Kannur city

Malabar Residency Kannur

₹₹₹ 3-star

Kerala Tourism-classified three-star business hotel at Thavakkara in the heart of Kannur city, about a three-minute walk from Kannur Railway Station. It offers 42 air-conditioned rooms and suites, the multi-cuisine Barka Restaurant and a banquet hall, and is billed as the first three-star hotel in Kannur. (stay option in Kannur city)

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RingCab Kannur Taxi Service

Things to do

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Taxi service · Kannur city

RingCab Kannur Taxi Service

do option in Kannur city: RingCab Kannur Taxi Service is a Taxi service option for do planning in Kannur city, Ernakulam, kerala, India. Use RingCab Kannur Taxi Service as a do option in Kannur city, Ernakulam, kerala, India. book timing, permits and local support before heading out. Key details: RingCab.com, EPVIII 368A, Rayaroth House, Nadal, near Oorpazhachi Kavu, Edakkad P.O., Kannur, Kerala 670663 · Price range: Contact direct · Amenities: Kannur taxi, Edakkad, Transfers.

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