During our recent Kannur trip, we visited 3 Kannur temples. I wanted to take my kids to the Kerala styled temples, show them the traditional Kerala lamps, how chandan and kumkum are offered in banana leaves, and the presence of beach sand inside many temples. We visited all the temples in the evenings and it was a really blissful experience.
3 Kannur temples to visit in Kannur trip
Sundareshwara Temple:
The Sundareshwara Temple, located in the Kannur district of Kerala, India, is a significant shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Lord Sundareswara, the ‘God of Beauty’. The temple was built in 1916 and was consecrated by the revered social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru. The temple’s name, Sundareswara, signifies that ‘Everyone is beautiful’, promoting the idea of finding beauty in everything. There are other shrines here as well for Ayyapan Swamy and Ganesha. The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The temple organises an eight-day annual festival between April and May. Unlike other temples, people did not go circles around garbagraha, instead they went three times right to left in semi-circles.
Highland Muthappan Temple Madappura:
The temple is dedicated to Sree Muthappan, the most popular local deity. The rituals of the temple are unique as they do not follow the Satvic Brahminical form of worship, as in other Hindu temples of Kerala. The main mode of worship is the ritual enactment of both the versions of Muthappan, through a traditional dance known as Muthappan Theyyam. There is no dress code to enter the temple and is open for all people irrespective of caste and creed. We went on a Saturday at about 8.15 PM and luckily the temple was opened infact in a festive mode. The local devotees told us that it was a festive day that day and hence the temple was open for long hours. There are many Muthappan temples in the region and we went to the Highland Muthappan temple. We were blessed to see the Muthappan himself telling fortune for people. It is ritual for people to tell their suffering to Muthappan and get his blessings and follow his instruction. People also offer him dakshina of their choice and he gives back some leaves that you can keep in your hair or put in your wallet. You can light bronze dhiyas here and it is charged at 50 rs per lamp. I will add more about my experiences here in a separate blog.
Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathi Amman Temple:
The Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple, located near the Valapattanam river in Kerala, India, is a revered shrine dedicated to the fierce form of Bhadrakali. This temple, which is the family shrine of the Chirakkal Royal Family, is known for its association with the ancient martial art Kalarippayattu. The temple architecture is in traditional Kerala style and in the evenings, the idols look spectacularly beautiful in the light of natural dhiyas and the darkness outside. The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 12:45 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This temple also houses several gods like Ganesha and Varahi amman. You can light lamps here and offer your prayers. Kids, women and men need to be needed in traditional dresses in saree, salwar kameez and full skirt for women and dhoti for men. You can read about my experience of visiting Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy temple here.
You might also be interested in other really interesting temples like Prathyangira Devi Temple in Kumbakonam.
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