A small handmade flower is drawing thousands of visitors to Kerala’s forest shrine this monsoon. It’s not rare in bloom, but rare in spirit.
The Odapoo, also called Otapoovu, appears only during the 28-day Kottiyoor festival held annually in Kannur. Devotees visiting the Kottiyoor temple collect this bamboo-crafted flower after darshan, carrying it home as a sign of joy and blessing. One flower is also taken for a loved one who could not make the journey.
Temple opens for a month each year
The Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam began on June 8 and will continue until July 4. This unique Hindu pilgrimage marks the mythical Daksha Yaga and celebrates Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Akkare Kottiyoor temple, located on the banks of the Bavali river, opens only for this short time each year.
During the festival, a temporary structure is built around the shivling, where most rituals are performed. Once the festival ends, the entire structure is dismantled. Local traditions say the monsoon season is ideal for rituals, allowing for river ablutions and a better flow of offerings.
A symbol of devotion and shared joy
Locals believe every devotee should carry at least one Odapoo after visiting the temple. These handcrafted flowers are made from bamboo slivers and are often hung in homes for over a year. They are also shared with family and friends as tokens of blessings from the pilgrimage.
“One of the main attractions of the festival is the Odapoo,” a flower maker near the temple told ANI. “People give it to those who couldn’t attend as a way of sharing the spirit of Kottiyoor.”
Thousands of devotees from across Kerala and beyond make the journey despite heavy rains, honouring rituals in what is known as Dakshina Kasi — or Varanasi of the South — for its deep spiritual ties.
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