Kottiyoor temple is situated at the very place where Daksha Yaga was performed in ancient times. The 27 days Vaisaka festival of this temple starts on the chothi star of Malayalam month Edavam and ends in the chithira star of month Mithunam. There are platforms for self-originated Sivalinga and Parasakthi in the middle of the Tiruvanchira lagoon on the northern banks of Vavali River which is flowing from the Western Ghats. The platform for self-originated Sivalinga is known as Manithara and the platform for Parasakthi is known as Ammarakkalthara. It is believed that Kottiyoor is the place where the Daksha Yaga described in the puranas was more performed. This temple is very famous in other names like Thricheru Mana, Vadakkumkkavu, Vadakeeswaram. This temple does not have any building. Only during the Vaisaka festival people visit this place.  When there are no festival people visit the temple on the other side of the river, known as Ikkare Kottiyoor Temple. The Daksha Yaga described in the puranas is said to have taken place in Kottiyoor.  Daksha Prajapathi, the father of Goddess Sathi, decided to perform a Yaga and invited all the people of the three worlds. But he did not invite his daughter Sathi and her husband Sree Parameswara. But Goddess Sathi was adamant and wanted to go for the yaga even though they were not invited. Finally, Sree Parameswara granted her the permission to go and sent His Bhoothaganas with Her.  When she reached there she was insulted by Her father and she jumped into the fire and gave up Her Body. When Siva came to know about this He sent Veerabhadra who cut off the head of Daksha and destroyed the yagasala. All Gods requested Siva to complete the yaga for the benefit of the whole universe. So, Siva placed a goat’s head on the body of Daksha and thus the yaga was completed. At the place where Goddess Sathi gave up Her body a Sivalinga originated and with the passage of time the place turned into a forest. Many years later a hunter happened to sharpen his arrow on the Sivalinga thinking that it was an ordinary stone. Blood came out of the stone and then he realized that it was not an ordinary stone. Thus, the place became a famous centre of pilgrimage. It is believed that the rules of the Kottiyoor Temple festival were formulated by sage Parasurama. When Parasurama came to this holy place where Thrissirasu Maharshi performed contemplation, He saw Kali coming towards him. Parasurama enslaved Kali in this place. The Gods appeared before Parasurama fearing that he might kill Kali and requested him to let Kali free. Parasurama asked the Gods to alert Kali to leave Kerala forever.  They agreed on condition that Parasurama should conduct 27 days Vaisaka festival.  Thus, the rules and rituals for the festival were formulated by Parasurama and these are followed even in the present day at Kottiyoor temple for Vaisaka festival. Every year devotees from the all parts of the world throng here for Vaisaka festival.  The temple is surrounded by the beauty of nature. The temple is on the eastern corner of Kannur District very close to Western Ghats. There are 8 different temples in various districts under Kottiyoor Devaswom. Those coming from the southern districts by train or bus have to alight at Thalassery and travel 64 km via Koothuparambu and Nedumboyil to reach Kottiyoor. Those coming from Wayanad have to travel 21 km via Mananthavadi along the Thalassery route and Boys town to reach Kottiyoor. There are lodges and rest houses to stay around Kottiyoor Temple. When there are no festival devotees can visit Ikkare Kottiyoor temple and get the blessings of the Lord