The twin temples of Sri Kottiyoor Temple in Kannur district are believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva where his sanctified spirit is present in its fullness. The temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, located deep inside the dense forests on the two east and west banks of the sacred River Vavali, have a history associated with the Puranas.

The exceptional feature of the exotic yaga festival conducted here is that Akkare Kottiyoor is a ‘temple without a temple’ since it has no formal temple structure. It is also known for following extremely complex traditional rituals and tantrik rites which date back to several centuries. Thousands throng the venue of the festival in the dense forest braving the freezing temperature, lashing rains and rushing waters. Bathing is the cold waters of the gushing River Vavali, devotes throng to attend the twenty-eight day long Vaisakha festival which is held once in a year during May-June. Women are permitted to enter the temple only on special occasions. The consecrated deity at Akkare Kottiyoor is believed to be a Swayambhoo Lingam (self-created idol of Lord Siva) placed on a thara (platform) built from a pile of stones called ‘Manithara’. In fact, The Swayambhoo Lingam and a stone called ‘Ammarakkalthara’ - a stone platform where Goddess Sathi committed self-destruction after the mythic Dakshayaga - sacred and revered, are located on a small water reservoir called ‘Thiruvanchira’.

The Vaisakha festival commences with the ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirikavu at the nearby Thavinal village to the Akkare Kottiyoor. An auspicious ritual called Neyyattam opens the festivities at the temple. The mystic and tantrik rites observed during the Vaisakha Festival include Prakkoozham, Neerezhunnellathu, Thiruvonam Aradhana, Ilaneerveppu, Ilaneer Attam, Alingana Pushpanjali, etc. The Vaisakha Festival ends with the Thirukalasattu.

The temple at Ikkare Kottiyoor has a definite structure and allows devotees to visit for daily worship. It is believed that Lord Shiva is present at the Ikkare Kottiyoor temple for the eleven months a year. During the one month from the chothi asterism of Idavam to chithira asterism of Midhunam, the Ikkare Kottiyoor Temple remains closed for the Vaisakha Festival at Akkare Kottiyoor.