TEMPLES OF KASARAGOD

Religious History Antiquity and deities Administration
Mannanpurath Kavu Sree Neelakanteswara (Thali) Temple
Sree Anantheswara Temple Sastha Temple

Religious History

n the ancient days, the people followed an independent religious philosophy related with Dravidian practices. Around 3rd Century B.C., Jainism and Buddhism came into the district. It was the Jainism that set foot in the region and established places of worship known as Basadis. Two important Basadis are located at Manjeswaram, the northern part of the district. Buddhism could not attract the people of Kasaragode as in the other parts of state. Both Jainism and Buddhism declined consequent on the insurgence of Aryans and by the revival of Hinduism. Efforts of Sri Sankaracharya and Bhakthi movement contributed much for the promotion of Hinduism. Though Christianity came to Kerala in 52 A.D., it did not make any impact on the religious thoughts of the people. The arrival of foreigners created a favourable atmosphere for Christianity, but situation did not improve till the influx of Christian immigrants from Travancore to the eastern parts of Hosdurg Taluk during the first half of 20th Century. However, Islam religion spread widely in the district after 7th Century A.D. One of the earliest mosques established by Malik Ibn Dinar is in Kasaragode. Communal harmony and religious tolerance are the remarkable characteristics of the people of Kasaragode.

According to 2011 census, the population of the district is 1302600. Majority of the population belong to the Hindu community divided into Brahmins, Kshathriyas, Ambalavasis, Nairs, Ezhavas, Billavas, Nadavars, Kammalars etc. To the Hindus, worship of god is imperative and hence temple formed an integral part of their daily life. As per the survey conducted by the Census Department, Kasaragode district has 572 temples. Important temples of the district are listed below.

1 Ananthapura Lake temple, Kumbala
2 Anantheswara temple,Manjeswaram
3 Anantheswara Vinayaka temple, Madhur
4 Arasu Manheshnar Devasthanam, Kunjathur
5 AribayalNaga Brahma Sthanam, Katampar
6 Bhagavathy temple, Palakunnu
7 Bhagavathy temple, Uppala
8 Chakrapani (Maha Vishnu) Temple, Thrikkaripur
9 Chooliyaar Bhagavathy temple, Uduma
10 Dharma Sastha temple, Cherkalam
11 Dharma Sastha temple, Kinavoor
12 Dharmasastha temple, Kodakkad
13 Dharmasastha temple, Sasthampara
14 Durga Bhagavathy temple, Bara
15 Durga Bhagavathy temple, Kamballur
16 Durga Bhagavathy temple, Pallikkara
17 Durga Parameswari Temple, Kambar
18 Durga Parameswari temple, Katukukke
19 Durga Parameswari Temple, Mallam
20 Durga Parameswari temple, Nekraje
21 Durga Parameswari temple, Uppala
22 Durga Parameswari temple,Agalpadi
23 Durga Paramewsari temple, Thekkil
24 Gopalakrishna temple, Adur
25 Gopalakrishna temple, Kumbala
26 Gopalakrishna temple, Kuthiyala
27 Gopalakrishna temple, Muniyur
28 Gopalakrishnaswamy temple, Nekraje
29 Gulika Bana temple,Mangalpadi
30 Kanila Bhagavathy temple, Manjeswaram
31 Karpooreswara (Siva) temple, Hosdurg
32 Kathyayani Maha Devi temple, Korakod
33 Keertheswara temple, Manjeswaram
34 Kiratheswara temple, Kinavoor
35 Kiratheswara temple, Puthukkai
36 Kootathaje Ammanavaru Devasthanam, Vorkadi
37 Kshethrapalan temple, Manikkoth
38 Kshethrapalan temple, Udinur
39 Kumaraswamy temple, Bela
40 Kurumba Bhagavathy temple, Adakthbayil
41 Kurumba Bhagavathy temple, Thalankara
42 Kuttamath Bhagavathy temple, Cheruvathur
43 Lekshmy-Venkitesa temple, Kanhangad
44 Madaneswari temple, Kanhangad
45 Maha Vishnu Dura Parameswari Sastha temple, Mundola
46 Maha Vishnu temple, Alakkod
47 Maha Vishnu temple, Alamthatta
48 Maha Vishnu temple, Kallar
68 Maha Vishnu temple, Karatka
49 Maha Vishnu temple, Katambar
69 Maha Vishnu temple, Kolathur
50 Maha Vishnu Temple, Kudlu
70 Maha Vishnu temple, Kuttikol
71 Maha Vishnu temple, Munnad
51 Maha Vishnu Temple, Pullur
72 Maha Vishnu temple, Udayamangalam
52 Mahadeva temple, Karatka
53 Mahadeva temple, Kidoor
54 Mahadeva temple, Peruthadi
55 Mahadeva Parvathy Sastha temple, Ubrangala
56 Mahalingeswar temple, Nettanike
57 Mahalingeswar temple, Nettanike
58 Mahalingeswara temple, Adur
59 Mahalingeswara temple, Alamkudlu
60 Mahalingeswara temple, Badaje
61 Mahalingeswara temple, Baja Kudlu
62 Mahalingeswara temple, kanathoor
63 Mahalingeswara temple, Kunjathur
64 Mahalingeswara temple, Kuntar
65 Mahalingeswara temple, Mulinja
66 Mahalingeswara temple, Panayal
67 Mahalingeswara temple. Gude
73 Mahavishnumoorthy temple, Kuntar
74 Mahishamardhini temple, Gosata
75 Mahishamardini temple, Kallakatha
76 Mahishasuramardini temple, Cherippadi
77 Mallikarjuna temple, Kasaragode
78 Mallikarjuna temple, Kumbala
79 Mannampurathu Kavu (Chandayogeswari temple), Nileswar
80 Muchilot Bhagavathy temple, Bakel
81 Muchumkav Parthasarathy temple,Kumbala
82 Nilakanteswara (Thali) temple, Nileswar
83 Panchalingeswara temple, Adur
84 Panchalingeswara temple, Bayar
85 Panchalingeswara temple, Kuntankuzhi
86 Parammel Durga Bhagavathy temple, Klayikat
87 Perumthrikkovilappan temple, Ravaneswaram
88 Rayiramangalam Bhagavathy temple, Pilicode
89 Sadasiva temple, Mangalpadi
90 Salathoor Durga Daivasthanam. Vorkadi
91 Sankaranarayana temple, Koliyur
92 Sankaranarayana temple, Kumbala
93 Sankaranarayana temple,Shiriya
94 Sastha temple, Chandragiri
95 Sastha Vishnu temple, Bakel
96 Sasthaveswara temple, Maniyur
97 Siva Temple, Memadilayi
98 Siva temple, Pullur
99 Sooryeswara temple, Paththur
100 Subaraya Deva temple, Katukukke
101 Subaraya temple, Vorkadi
102 Subramania temple, Mouvvar
103 Subramania temple, Thalaklaye
104 Subramanya temple, Aravath
105 Subramanya temple, Balla
106 Subramanya temple, Banthadukka
107 Subramanya temple, Bevinje
108 Subramanya temple, Mayipadi
109 Subramanya temple, Mooliyar
110 Subramanya temple, Mugu
111 Subramanya temple, Puthige
112 Udineswara Siva temple, Neerchal
113 Uma Maheswara temple, Mulleriya
114 Uma Maheswara temple, Narampadi
115 Vanadurga temple, Kadumana
116 Vanasastha temple, Kanhangad
117 Varadaraja Venkitaramana temple, Kasaragode
118 Veerabhadran temple, Cheruvathur
119 Veeranjaneya temple, Kumbala
120 Venkitaramana temple, Kasaragode
121 Vettakorumakan temple, Nileswar
122 Vinayaka temple, Patathumogaru
123 Vishnumangalam temple, Pullurgraman
124 Vishnumoorthy temple, Haripuram
125 Vishnumoorthy temple, Thada

Antiquity and deities

Antiquity of the temples of Kasaragode district cannot be determined in terms of age of the idol or structures of the temple. The antiquity of each temple may, therefore, be decided based on legend or history. However, the Department of Census, Government of India identified 15 temples of the district as very ancient having more than two thousand years of age. 36 temples were constructed between 1st and 9th Century AD. Between 10th and 20th Century AD, 509 temples have been constructed. The department could not ascertain the antiquity of 12 temples.

The deities of Kasargode are mainly Goddess Bhadrakali or Bhagavathy, Lord Vishnu, Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Lord Sastha etc based on various kalpa or sankalpa (concept). Combination of sankalpa such as Sankara-Narayana, Ardha-Nareeswara, Uma-Maheswara, Lakshmy Narayana are also there. The influence of Kannada culture can be seen in the shrines as well as the practice of worship in the northern part of the district. Number of temples based on various sankalpa is given below:


Sl No
Kalpa concept
No
1
Vishnu Kalpa (Lord Maha Vishnu / Venkiteswara/ Rama/Sri Krishna/Parthasarathy)
158
2
Siva Kalpa (LordSiva/Mahadeva/ Mahalingeswara/ Muththappan/Kiratha-moorthy
91
3
Durga Kalpa (Goddess Bhadrakali / Bhagavathy / Mahalekshmy / Durga/ Saraswathy /Parasaksthi)
221
4
Ganapathy Kalpa
03
5
Subramanya Kalpa
25
6
Sastha Kalpa
32
7
Others
53
 
Total
572

Administration

In ancient periods, King or local chieftains are owned and administered temples. Some of the temples were owned by madams, tharawads or individuals. However, majority of them were under the administrative control of King or local chieftains. When the foreigners established their power in the area and powers of local rulers faded away, administration of temples was also taken over by them. In 1790, the British Government came forward with certain regulations to control the administration of temples in Malabar region. The first enactment on these lines was the Madras Regulation VII of 1817. Subsequently, the Religious Endowment XX of 1863 was enacted. Since this Act was found to be a failure, the Government brought out another one repealing the Act of 1863. Later in 1927, the Government passed the Madras Hindu Religious Endowment Act (Act II of 1927) and brought temple administration under their control. After independence, the Congress Government of erstwhile Madras State introduced the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act of 1951 to govern the temples. When the Kerala State was formed and Malabar region formed its part, this Act was made applicable to the temples of that region which includes the present Kasargode district. A Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board was also came into existence. Later the Board was converted into a Department. Till 2008, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department held control over the temples. In 2008, the Government of Kerala, amended the Act and constituted the Malabar Devaswom Board. Now 89 temples of the district are under the control of the Malabar Devaswom Board.


They are as follows:

1          Acheri Vishnumoorthi Temple, Panayal
2          Adukkath Bhagavathy Temple, Bedaduka
3          Agalpadi Durga Parameswari Temple, Umbrankala
4          Alankattu Mahalingeswara Temple, Nokraje
5          Alanthatta MahavishnuTemple, Kayyoor
6          Alibhootha Temple, Arikkadi
7          Ambar Sadasiva Temple, Mangalpadi
8          Anantha padmanabha Temple, Kannur
9          Arya Karthyayani Temple, Thalankara
10        Avala Durga Bhagavathy Temple, Beyar
11        Ayala durga parameswari Temple, Uppala
12        Chandragiri Sastha & Thrikkanad Thrayambakeswara Temple, Kalanadu
13        Daivanglu Temple, Paivalige
14        Durga Temple, Neeleswaram
15        Edaneer madam, Padi
16        Gopala Krishna Temple, Belur
17        Iravil Madhava Vazhunnavar Charitable Trust, Beloor
18        Jadadhari Temple, Badoor
19        Kamballoor Bhagavathy Temple, Chittarikkal
20        Kambar Durga Parameswari Temple, Kudalamarkala
21        Kammadath Bhagavathy Temple, West Elery
22        Kanathoor Mahalingeswara Temple, Mooliyar
23        Kanippura Gopala Krishna Temple, Kumbala
24        Kaniyala Bhootha Temple, Beyar
25        Karpooreswara Temple, Hosdurg
26        Kavi Subraya Temple, Vorkadi
27        Kinimani Bhootha Temple, Nekraje
28        Kinimani Deiva & Subraya Deva Temple, Puthige
29        Kiratheswara Temple, Kinavoor
30        Kochikkadavu Vishnumoorthy Temple, Pallikkara
31        Kolachappa Sastha Temple, Meencha
32        Komarachamundeswary Temple, Uchilankodu
33        Koodathaje Ammanavara Temple, Vorkadi
34        Korakkattu Bhagavathy Temple, Korakkad
35        Kottathu Vettakkorumakan Temple, Neaeswaram
36        Kudalu Gudde Mahadeva Temple, Kudalu
37        Kundikkana Sankaranarayana Temple, Perdala
38        Kundumkuzhi panchalingeswara Temple, Bedaduka
39        Kuttiala Gopala Krishna Temple, Kudalu
40        Lakshmi Venkitesha Temple, Hosdurg
41        Madanantheswara Vinayaka Temple, Madhoor
42        Madikkaimadam Temple, Ambalathara
43        Madiyankoolom Kshethrapralaka Temple, Ajanoor
44        Mahadeva Swami Temple, Kidoor
45        Mahalingeswara Temple, Adoor
46        Mahalingeswara Temple-, Badaje
47        Mahalingeswara Temple, Nettanige
48        Makkamveedu Bhagavathy Temple, Pallikkara
49        Malladurga Parameswari Temple, Mooliyar
50        Mallikarjuna Temple, Kasargod
51        Mandampurathu Kavu, Nealeswaram
52        Mariyamman Temple, Hosdurg
53        Meetha Mograya Bhootha, Vorkadi
54        Melarippu Vearabhadra Temple, Clayikkode
55        Mogru Durga Parameswary, Kattukukke
56        Mulayannoor Bhagavathy Temple, Beloor
57        Mundol Durga Parameswary, Karaduka
58        Padinhamburathu Dhoomavathy Temple, Padi
59        Palakkunnu Bhagavathy Temple, Pallikkunnu
60        Pallikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Nealeswaram
61        Panchalingeswara Temple, Beyar
62        Panduranga temple, Kasargod
63        Poomani Kinimani Temple, Mogralputhoor
64        Rayiramangalam Bhagavathy Temple, Peelikkod
65        Sadasiva Temple, Puthukkai
66        Salathoor Mallaraya Temple, Pathoor
67        Sankara Narayana Temple, Koliyoor
68        Santhana Gopala Krishna Temple, Kodalamogru
69        Srimad Anantheswaram Temple, Mancheswaram
70        Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Aravathu
71        Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Mooliyar
72        Subraya Deva Temple, Kattukukkai
73        Thalakkalayi Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Chemmanad
74        Thaliyil Neelakanda Temple, Nealeswaram
75        Thayanoor Mahavishnu Temple, Chittery
76        Udaneswara Temple, Perdala
77        Udinoor Kshethrapalaka, Udinoor
78        Udyavar Daivangalu, Udyavar
79        Upendra Kesava Trust ( Iravil Mahavishnu), Pulloor
80        Varadaraja Venkitta Ramana Temple, Kasargod
81        Vearabhadra Temple, Cheruvathur
82        Vettakkorumakan temple, Kayyur
83        Vilakkumadam Venkitta Ramana, Kolathoor
84        Vishnu Chamundeswari Temple, Chittary
85        Vishnu Moorthy Temple, Adoor
86        Vishnu Moorthy Temple, Kuttikkol
87        Vishnu Moorthy Temple, Pulloor
88        Vishnu Moorthy Temple, Thrikkaripoor
89        Vishnumangalam Temple, Pulloor

ANANTHAPURA LAKE TEMPLE, KUMBALA


Location: Ananthapura is 5 km from Kumbala. Kumbala can be reached from Mangalore by rail or road. It is 13 km north along the National Highway from Kasaragod town.
Panchayat: PuthigeVillage:Kannoorr

Nearest railway station: Kasaragod (12 km)
Nearest airport: Mangalore (65 Km)

Legend: Legend says that this is the original place where Ananthapadmanabha of Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram has been settled down. According to the legend Lord Vishnu in his boyhood used to play in the precincts of the temple, which was resented by a meditating sage. The humiliation-felt child Vishnu created a tunnel from there to Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and moved to the precincts of Thiruvananthapuram temple for play. The sage spent his life in search of the child Lord. The Ananthapura Lake Temple and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple are having a close connection.

Deity: The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu similar to the famous temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram. Here the idol is in sitting posture, whereas in Thiruvananthapuram the idol is in a lying (Ananthasayanam posture) on the holy snake Adisesha.

Time of worship: From 05.30 to 13.00 hrs and from 17.30 to 19.30 hrs.

Special features of the temple: Ananthapura Lake Temple is situated in the middle of a lake on a remote rocky hill in the Kasargod District. This is the only lake temple in Kerala. A revered crocodile known as Babya is living in the lake. The crocodile is believed to be the guard of the temple. The presence of this crocodile reminds us the story of Gajendra Moksha narrated in the Bhagavatha Purana. The crocodile seldom caused harm to human beings.



There is a footbridge across the lake to reach the temple. The temple is open to all people irrespective of caste or creed. The shrine is encircled by a chuttambalam and murals adorn its walls. There exists a cave that lead to a small pond where the water level remains steady in all climate conditions. The ceiling of the Namaskara Mandapam is carved with wood.

MANNANPURATHU KAVU, NILESWAR (SREE CHANDA YOGESWARI TEMPLE)

Location: Nileswar is situated on the National Highway 17 just 4 Km south to Kanhangad town in Kasargode District. It is well connected with road and rail. The temple is situated just 150 M north to the Nileswar Railway Station.
Panchayat: Nileswar
Village: Nileswar
Nearest Railway Station: Nileswar
Nearest Airport: Mangalore (100 Km)   

Legend:  Legend says that Asura polluted Sage Kapila’s yaga (propitiation) with blood and flesh. Lord Parasurama, who heard about this atrocity, killed the Asuras and protected the yaga. Propitiated by the timely action of Lord Parasurama, goddess Bhagavathy (Durga) emerged from the altar and Lord Parasurama installed Goddess Bhagavathy and Lord Siva there. Another story tells that the local people who were afraid of a local notorious criminal, known as Mannan, prayed Goddess Bhagavathy at Madai, a neighboring village, to save them from his atrocities. The Goddess gave a portion of her powers to the priest of Mannanpurathu kavu. The priest advised Mannan to refrain from his notorious activities. When he refused to comply with the advice, the priest killed him.  The place where Mannan was killed is known as “Mannanpurathukavu”. The temple is believed to have existed in the 8th Century AD. In the Kerala Mahatmya there is reference to the installation of a shrine dedicated to Bhadrakali (Durga) at Nileswar. It is believed that Lord Parasurama established this temple along with the famous Thali Temple situated in the nearby area as a single unit.
Deity: Goddess Chanda Yogeswari (Durga or Bhagavathy) is the principal deity of the temple. The Panchaloha (five metal) idol of Goddess Chanda Yogeswari (Durga or Bhagavathy) is having 3 fierce eyes, 8 arms with Sankh (conch) Chakra (disc), Saram (arrow), thrisoolam (weapon with three sharp edges), Khadga (sword) and Gada (club) in six arms and tow arms with abhaya (act of saving) and varada (giving) poses. The idol symbolises the Goddess who slayed the Mannan. Bhadrakali, Sree Bhairavan, Lord Ganapathy and Kaikolan (a manifestation of Lord Siva) are the other deities.
Time of worship: From 05.00 to13.00 hrs. and from 17,00 to 20.00 hrs.
 Festival: Vrichikapatt, Makarapatt, Meenapooram, Theyya-kalasam (Kaliyattom) are the important festivals. Vrichikapatt is celebrated for three days from the Karthika asterisk in the month of Vrichikom while Makarapaat is celebrated for 9 days from Makara Samkranthi day.  Meenapooram festival is on the month of Meenom last for 9 days from Karthika asterisk to Pooram asterisk.
Special features: The temple is located in the middle of a large sacred grove spread over about six acres of land. The sanctum sanctorum is situated within a compound wall in this grove.

SREE NEELAKANTESWARA (THALI) TEMPLE, NILESWAR


Location: The temple is situated one kilometer west of Nileswar Railway station. Nileswar is situated on the National Highway 17 just 4 Km south to Kanhangad town.
Location: The temple is situated one kilometer west of Nileswar Railway station. Nileswar is situated on the National Highway 17 just 4 Km south to Kanhangad town.


Legend: Nileswar is an abbreviation Neelakanteswaram related to Lord Neelakanta (Lord Siva). Another view is that the place named after Sage Neela who installed the idol of Eswara (God). Legend says that Lord Parasurama constructed the temple to facilitate Sage Neela to consecrate the idol.
Nileswar was the capital of ancient Kolathiri Kingdom, which spread from Kasaragod in north and Korapuzha (river) (Near Kozhikode) at south. Its border extended Kudaku (Coorg) (Now in Karnataka) in the east Arabian Sea in west. The royal family owned the temple. The senior most member of the royal family is the lifetime trustee of the temple.

Deities: Lord Siva represented by the Siva Lingam is the principal deity of the temple. A tall Siva Lingam at a height of 270 cm facing east is installed in the temple.  Lord Ganapathy, Lord Maha Vishnu and Lord Sastha are the other deities.Festival: Eight day long festival in Kumbhom (February-March) is the important festival. Of these, Pallivetta and Arat are very important.

MUCHILOT BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, BAKEL

Location: Bakel is located 12 KM south of Kasargode town and 12 KM north to Kanhangad town.Panchayat: Uduma
Village: Pallikkara-II
Nearest Railway Station: Pallikkara/Kanhangad
Nearest Airport: Mangalore (80 Km)

Legend: Once an innocent Brahmin girl was thrown out of her community alleging immoral activities without verifying its veracity. The disappointed girl committed suicide in a fire altar. The spirit of girl emerged as a Goddess and showed her presence in a well of Karivelloor Muchilot Nair who gave oil to the girl for making fire alter. The Muchilot Nair conducted a prasna (finding solution for problems) and confirmed the presence of goddess. The expiatory rites based on the prasna a senior member of Peruvannan family made a Theyyakolam (made of colorful costumes decorated long and large headdresses and facial make-ups that impersonate a God or Goddess to perform Theyyam) and performed a dance. The place where the Theyyakolam was danced is believed as the first seat of the deity. The dance performed by the Peruvannan is believed as the first Kaliyattom. Still, the right to perform Kaliyattom is vested with the Peruvannan family.

Deity: Bhagavathy is the principal deity represented by a sword.
Time of worship: The temple is kept open on all Tuesdays between 10.00 and 14.00 hrs.
Festival: Perumkaliyattom in Makaram (January-February) is the main festival. Thira, Theyyam and Kettukazcha are also perofrmed at the occasion
SREE ANANTHESWARA-VINAYAKA TEMPLE, MADHOOR

Location: Madhoor is located 8 Km north east of Kasargode to wn on the banks of Madhuvahini (Payaswini) river. The Anantheswara-Vinayaka temple is an ancient one and has references in Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.

Panchayat:Madhoor
Village: Madhoor
Nearest Railway Station: Kasaragode (8 Km)Nearest Airport: Mangalore (60 Km)


Legend: The legend mentions that Madharu, a dalith (a backward community) woman accidentally struck her sickle on a rock while she was collecting grass for animals and the rock started bleeding. Frightened woman informed the fact to the local ruler who convinced the sanctity of the place and he consecrated the idol of Lord Siva in the spot. Though Lord Siva is the principal deity, the Lord Vinayaka (Ganapathy) idol is more famous. The installation of Lord Ganapathy is associated with a legend related to Siva Yanja conducted by great saints. During the Yanja there was a heavy rain which made the Yanja impossible. Realising their stupidity, the saints painted a picture of Lord Vinayaka on the wall of sreekovil and offered pooja. Lord Vinayaka pleased and manifested Himself in the picture. The present idol of Lord Vinayaka is made of Kadusarkara and clay. It is stated that the idol started growing on three dimensions, when it grew and about to touch the roof of the sreekovil, devotees prayed for restricting further growth. The Lord pleased with the devotees and stopped growing horizontally but started to grow vertically. It is feared that the idol may grow up more vertically and the present sreekovil has to be reconstructed. Jaya Simha, ruler of Kumbala built a victory stone known as veerakallu to mark his victory over Pandya kings.  In 1784, Tippu Sultan decided to attack the temple. But he became calm when he took the theertha jalam from the temple well. Realising the powers of the deity, he left without making any damages to the temple.      
Deity: The main deity is Lord Siva. The idol is very small. The growing idol of Lord Vinayaka is very big. Now it has a height of about 2.00 M. The idol is consecrated in 10th Century AD.
Time of worship: From 06.00 to12.00 hrs and from 18.00 to 20.00 hrs.
Festivals: The annual festival of the temple starts on the Meta samkramam day and concludes on the fifty day. On Vishu day special poojas are held. Yakshaganam is main entertainment during the festival. A special festival associated with the temple is the Moodappa seva. The large idol of Lord Ganapathy is covered with appam (sweet rice cake). Considering the enormous expenditure the festival is celebrated once in a blue moon.

SASTHA TEMPLE, CHANDRAGIRI

Location:
Chandragiri is located about 3 km south west of Kasaragode town. The temple is located south of the Chandragiri River. The temple is popularly known as Kizhur Sastha Temple. This is the headquarters of Anjooru Nayanmar (five hundred Nairs).
Panchayat: Chemmanaat
Village: Kalanad
Nearest Railway station: Kasaragode
Nearest Airport: Mangalore (50 km)


Legend/History: The legend of the temple is connected with the Sastha temple at Chambravattom in Malappuram District. The Sastha of Chambravattom was travelling towards north. When He reached Chandragiri, he was attracted by the scenic beauty of the place and settled there in a grove. The grove was belonged to a famous tharavad of the region and they consecrated the idol of Sastha and worshipped as their family deity. Later a temple came up there. When the temple of Bhagavathy at Chembarikayal was sub-merged into sea, the idol of the temple was brought to the Sastha temple and consecrated in a separate shrine. The temple was a family temple of Valliyodan tharavad till 1955 and thereafter, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department took over its administration. Deities: Lord Sastha (Ayyappa) is the principal deity. Goddess Bhagavathy and Lord Subramanya are the other deities.
Time of worship: From 05.00 to 12.30 hrs and from 17.00 to 20.45 hrs.
Festivals: The temple is renowned for Patt Ulsavam (Song festival). Cheriya Patt and Valiya Patt are the important festivals. Cheriya Patt begins in the month of Thulam (October-November) and Valiya Patt in the month of Vrichikam (November-December). Professional singers sing jointly in praise of the deity during the festival period.