The Akkare & Ikkare Kotiyoor temple

A temple like no other is quite unique in terms of how it came into being & the rituals conducted here. Locally known as the Thruchherumana Kshethram or Vadakkeshwaram temple, the name Akkare - Ikkare kshethram is what it is commonly known by. The temple is not actually a structure but a yagna site & is situated on both sides of the Bavali river. The permanent temple is on the western bank & is called the Ikkare Kottiyoor Kshethram & the temporary yagna site is on the eastern bank by the name of Akkare kottiyoor. The temple holds importance to an event revered in Hindu Mythology & is situated within dense forests. At the Akkare Kottiyoor kshethram it is forbidden to build any permanent structure as it symbolizes the simple life of the hermits who were present to witness sati committing suicid not does it have any sanctum for devotees to worship Sati as Shakthi. 

The exact date of temple construction is not known but as per legend the temple was built when the Swayambhu lingam was found along the banks of the river. The temple only opens for 27 days annually during the Vishakha month & during the other days of the year no rituals are conducted nor any devotees are allowed to come. The Kottayam royal family had the control of the temple & it still holds importance in various decisions taken at the temple. The descendants of the family are still needed to conduct certain rituals during the Vishakha festival. The temple is so sacred that the name of the place where the temple stands comes from the presence of all Gods in the grove (Kooti-uru). The temple is said to be blessed by the holy Hindu Trinity of Shiva, Vishnu & Brahma. It is said that Goddess Parvathy in the form of Kali promised Parasurama who built the Ikkare temple that she will not allow Kaliyug to enter the temple.

The temple is the place where the Daksha Yagam was conducted. As per mythology, Daksha was the son of Brahma & one of the Prajapathis of the land. His daughter Sati was in awe of Shiva & in love asked him to marry her. Lord Shiva at first did not approve of it but later accepted the proposal from Devi Sati & married her. Daksha was unhappy with the marriage as being a Prajapathy he felt insulted for his daughter marrying a hermit. He showered many insults at Lord Shiva whenever the opportunity came, but Shiva loved Devi Sati & so ignored every insult. Daksha decided to conduct a yagna of prosperity & invited every God, Prajapathis, sadhu’s to the ceremony but Lord Shiva was uninvited. Daksha during the ceremony was asked why Lord Shiva was uninvited, to this he continued his insults to the Lord. Devi Sati who came to the yagyashala could not hear more insults of her husband & in anguish immolated herself by jumping into the Yagna Pyre. When Lord Shiva saw this, he was enraged & came to the Yagnashala in the form of Veerabhadra. He performed the thandavam dance & opened his third eye to destroy the yagyashala & forests around. At the end of the dance he cut off the head of Daksha. The Gods had to make Shiva stop his destruction & asked Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu embraced Shiva tightly to pacify him which resulted in Shiva closing his third eye. Lord Shiva was pacified & he on the request of Gods brought back all what he destroyed. He could not give Daksha moksha with his own head as it fell in the pyre, so replaced it with that of a goat. Lord Shiva then assumed the form of a Swayambhoo & all devotees can now see it kept on a pedestal at the Akkare Kshethram next to where Sati commited suicide. The most important offering at the temple is called Aalinganam Pushpanjali which is based on the event where Lord Vishnu embraces Lord Shiva to pacify him. The temple also follows rituals based on all Hindu forms – Shaivate, Vaishnavite & Shakteya in dedication to the Trinity.

The temple is the only place where one can worship Devi Sati. One visit to the temple during the festival is a time for all to know how the world would have been in the ancient times.