Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Kannur - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 11 Km from Taliparamba, and 21 Km from Kannur, Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, or Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan temple is a Hindu temple located at Parassinikadavu on the banks of the Valapattanam River in the Kannur district of Kerala. It is one of the top Kannur packages.

The Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple is dedicated to Sree Muthappan, who is regarded as a manifestation of two distinct deities - Thiruvappana (Lord Vishnu) and Vellatom (Lord Shiva) in the guise of a hunter. The Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple is recognized as one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in northern Kerala. It draws individuals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their religion or caste, as the principal deity, Lord Muthappan, is viewed as a guardian for the downtrodden.

According to local legends, many years ago, a young child named Muthappan emerged. This boy wandered the area and had an unquenchable desire for dried fish, toddy, and meat. Due to his peculiar behavior, he was expelled from his family. It was only after his expulsion that unusual events began to unfold, revealing that this child was not an ordinary being but rather a divine incarnation. Thus, Lord Muthappan started to be venerated in the region.

Commonly referred to as Parassini Madapura, the temple is classified as a madappura rather than a Kshethram. It features a three-story structure painted in white, which markedly contrasts with the conventional style of temple architecture. In Parassinikadavu, devotees can observe the two idols together; Thiruvappana dons a fish-shaped crown symbolizing Lord Vishnu, while Vellattam wears a green crown adorned with a crescent moon representing Lord Shiva. Unlike other temples, devotees have the opportunity to 'engage' with the deity as they express their concerns in a casual 'conversation' with the artistically adorned 'Muthappan Theyyam', who embodies the divine. The theyyam provides responses with persuasive solutions, which devotees regard as sacred and divinely inspired.

The temple's rituals are distinctive in that they do not adhere to the Satvic Brahminical style of worship, unlike other Hindu temples in Kerala. The ritualistic performances of both the minimal and maximal forms of Theyyam, Thiruvappana, and Vellattam occur daily in the early morning and evening, serving as the primary mode of reverence. Fish, meat, and toddy are traditional offerings made to Muthappan. It is believed that Lord Muthappan is frequently accompanied by a dog, which renders dogs sacred within the temple premises. Consequently, it is common to find the temple grounds populated with stray dogs that are treated with dignity. In fact, each day when the Prasadam is prepared, it is first offered to a dog that is present within the temple complex before being distributed to other devotees.

The annual harvest festival, known as Puthari Thiruvappana, takes place in the first week of December and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, attracting devotees from all over Kerala to join in the festivities. During this time, the temple provides complimentary meals and accommodation to all visitors.

Timings: 5 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 8.30 PM, Theyyam: 5.45 AM - 8 AM & 6.30 PM

Entry: Free, Rs. 50 for Theyyam