Niram Kaitha Kotta Temple
This Ayyappa temple is situated in Vallikunnu Grama Panchayath at the northern extreme of Malappuram district of Kerala. It is thousand years of old and one among the most important Dharma Sastha temple of Malabar region. The Pattulsavam in every Makaram(a month in Kolla varsham ) performs in the premise of this temple with special rituals and 'Seeveli'.Somany monkeys are living near this temple. The well which provides the holy water (theertham) to the temple also have some special features. The holy water from this well which never dry or overflow is believed that the water is from the holy river Ganges. The water in the well never get sunlight. There is a way to this under ground well from inside the temple for collecting the holy water by the priest. A few many feets higher than this temple the famous Mekkotta Bagavathy Temple situates on the top of the hill. One will feel how the beauty and solitude provides mental relax when stay here for worship. The vast area around this temple provides the scope for forestation. The peak of the hill and the river which flows round the hill is a really beautiful sight. The beauty, elegance and the peacefulness of this area has the scope of developing in to a shooting location and a tourist centre.
History of the Temple
The whole structure of Niramkaithakotta is a temple complex. At the foot of the hill which streatches 50 Acres and the peak has a 500 feet hight from the sea level.There is a huge construction with copper sheets covering the roof known as 'Pattukottil'. Here is the encarved structure of 'Balakanda' of Ramayana in wood. In the next there lies one of the importnat Ayyappa temple aged 1500 years approximately.The Ayyappa image is believed to be 'Swayambhoo '. It is believed that Vilwamangalam Swami had started the practice of worshipping Lord Sri Rama during every mid noon and there are somany monkeys(soldiers of Srirama). The water, in the well which provide holly water to the temple, is believed to be the water from Ganges. A few many feets higher than this temple the famous Mekkotta Bagavathi temple situates on the top of the hill. This hill was the fortress and capital of the Parappanad Kingdom. The Machil Bhagavathi of this Kingdom later became the image for worshipping in this temple. One of the Kings of Parappanad Kingdom named Kerala Varma after completing his education left palace for worshipping a 'Rudra Moorthy'( a horrible and powerfull image of the gods and goddess). He worshipped Mookambika. The goddess appeared before him and advised to go south. Where he met the Rudra(Ghora) moorthy image of Kali and after pleasing her he requested to go with him as 'Machil Bagavathy' of his Kingdom. After Kerala Varma returned, Kali appeared before him in the same rudra image in the 'Machintakam'(a special room provided for god of a family-Kuladevatha).
It is also believed that when the Bagavathy reached at the Thalappoli thara (the earlier place for Kalari gods) her sister goddess on saying that she became out casted, accepted it for her permanent stay. The Mekkotta Bagavathy once in every year visits her sister at thalappoli thara. This practice is the festival of Thalappoli in which the women who bears Arithalam rushes to mekkotta temple and shower the thalam there after completing the three rounds around the temple. When there was a conflict between the Kingdom of Parappanad, Kurumbanad and Beypore, East India Company intervened and given the temple to Samoothiri Raja .
Festivals
There are mainly two festivals Niramkaithakotta Pattulsavam and Mekkotta Thalappoli.
Pattulsavam
THE Pattulsavam with five or more 'Kalams'(each day a Kalam) performs in the month of 'Makaram' with Seeveli and special poojas and entertainments programmed by Festival Committee. The general practice of Kodiyettu is not performed in this festival. Instead the 'Homa' is performed to commence this festival. Each day the Kshethra Komaram 'Kurup' draws the image of lord Ayyappa in the 'Kalam' using various powders like 'Arippodi','Krishnappodi',etc
Thalappoli
This festival is the most important and the local festival of this area. The believe that the Mekkotta Bhagavathi visits her sister at Thalappoli Paramb, lies about 1.5Kms south of this temple is the story behind this festival. The 'Thiru Udaval' -the weapon of the Bhagavathy, is tied up with 'Thiru Udayada'-dress of Bhagavathy, is brought on the elephant back along with the gold mirror image(there is no idol in this temple) at midnight and returns with the thalappoly . The thalappoly begins when Komaram after 3 rounds 'Pradakshina ' takes rice from the thalam. The running of the woman bears thalam is a beautiful sight and is a special feature of this festival. The Kalam of the Devi drawn using various powders is shattered before the closing of the temple for seven days.
Best Season:
Pooja Timings of Ayyappa Temple
Morning
Usha Pooja 06:00AM
Dhara(for Siva) 07:30AM
Navaka Pooja 09:00AM
Navakam Adal 09:30AM
Ucha Pooja 11:00AM
Evening
Nada Thurakkal 04:30PM
Dheeparadhana After Sunset
Athazha Pooja 07:00PM
Nada Adakkal 07:30PM
Pooja Timings of Bagavathi Temple
Morning
Nada Thurakkal 07:30AM
Two Poojas After Nadathurakkal
Evening
Guruthi 05:00PM
Nada Adakkal 06:00PM
Emergency Details:
Devaswam Manager,
Niramkaithakotta Temple,
Vallikunnu North(P.O),
Kadalundi Nagaram(Via),
Malappuram(Dist),
Kerala-673314.
Ph:0494-2470800
Transport Terminals:
Vallikunnu
How to Reach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode, 20 kms away
Nearest Airport: Kozhikode
Tags : Malappuram
