Kottiyoor Festival 2025: Odapoo ritual draws massive crowds in Kannur

Massive turnout for sacred offering

Thousands of devotees gathered at the Kottiyoor temple in Kannur district on Thursday for the annual odapoo flower ritual, a central event of the 2025 Kottiyoor Festival. The ceremony, which involves the offering of a specific flower known as 'odapoo', drew crowds from across Kerala and neighbouring states.

Devotees queued up from early morning to participate in the ritual. Temple authorities had made extensive arrangements for crowd management. The atmosphere was charged with religious fervour as chants filled the air.

What is the odapoo ritual?

The odapoo flower holds special significance in the Kottiyoor temple tradition. The ritual involves women devotees offering the flower at the temple sanctum, accompanied by specific prayers. It is believed to bring prosperity and well-being to families.

The event is one of the most anticipated days of the festival. This year, the temple trust had increased the number of entry slots to accommodate the larger than expected turnout.

Security and arrangements

Kannur district police deployed additional personnel to manage the crowds. Barricades were set up along the approach roads. Separate queues were arranged for elderly and differently-abled devotees.

Medical teams were stationed at the venue to handle any emergencies. The temple administration had also arranged for free drinking water and shade for those waiting in line.

Significance of the festival

The Kottiyoor Festival is one of the oldest temple festivals in North Kerala. It spans several weeks and includes various rituals, cultural programmes and processions. The odapoo ritual marks a key phase of the celebrations.

Local businesses and temporary vendors set up stalls near the temple premises. The festival provides a significant boost to the local economy, with thousands of visitors spending on food, lodging and souvenirs.

The festival is also known for its strict adherence to traditional customs. Only women are allowed to perform the odapoo offering. Male devotees participate in other supporting rituals during the day.

Public response

Devotees expressed satisfaction with the arrangements this year. Many said they had been attending the ritual for decades. A devotee from Kozhikode said the experience was deeply spiritual and that the temple management had improved facilities compared to previous years.

Crowds were expected to remain high over the weekend as other key rituals of the festival take place. The temple remains open for darshan throughout the festival period.

Officials have not yet released final attendance figures for Thursday’s event. However, preliminary estimates suggest the number of participants was well over 50,000.

The Kottiyoor Festival 2025 will continue for another two weeks. The next major event is the grand procession of the deity, scheduled for next Wednesday.