Sree Raghavapuram Temple widely known as “Hanumarambalam” is situated at Cheruthazham, border village of Kunhimangalam. This is the only temple where Lord Sri Rama with Sita Devi and Lakshmana on the same pedestal can be seen. The main deity worshipped in this temple is Lord Sree Rama, but the temple is known by the name of Lord Hanuman.This temple was being built in the 8th Century A.D. by the ruler Udaya Varman Kolathiri and was given to the 237 scholarly Brahmin families who were invited from the Tulunadu of present Karnataka. Sri Rama, Hanuman, Parameswaran and Sri Durga Devi are the main deities worshipped in this temple. The popular offering of this temple is flake offering (Avil Nivedyam) to Sree Hanuman. Other important attraction of this temple is the “Thidambu Nritham” (holy dance performed by the Brahmins with the idol of corresponding god on their head, the famous temple art of North Malabar area). Only at this temple “Thidambu Nritham” is performed with four idols at a time. Thidambu Dancer begins his steps as per the Chenda melam (Drum beat) and the dance continues to its peak in accordance with intensity of the vadyam. The dance begins with one rhythm and ends with other rhythm.

The famous Sree Rajarajeswara temple is situated in Kannur district, 2 kms North of Taliparamba town. Lord Siva here, is known in different names such as SADASIVA, PERINCHELLOORAPPA, LAKSHMEEPURESA, RAJADHIRAJA etc. In venerable prayer, though it seems to be pertaining to Siva, the method of worship is distinct in many ways. Ages before, the deity was consecrated by the great sage, Agasthya Muni on a Wednesday. Hence ‘darsan’ on Wednesday is considered very auspicious even today. In ‘Threda Yuga’ Lord Sreeramachandra paid obeisance to Lord Siva on the Namaskara Mandapam. Hence entry to the mandapam is restricted. To fill pots made of gold silver and copper with ghee and dedicate them to Lord are the main offerings here. They are called ‘Ponninkudam’, ‘Vellikudam’ and ‘Neyyamruthu’ respectively. ‘Pattam’, Wedlock for goddess Sree Parvathi and Pushpanjali are the other important offerings. Only ghee is used inside the Sanctum Sanctorum. Women are allowed to enter inside the temple only after the ‘ATTAZHA PUJA’. Children below 4 years are not allowed to enter inside. There is no well inside the temple.

This temple is situated 2 kms away towards south-east of Taliparamba town. The deity was consecrated by Sambara Maharshi. In the right hand of the deity, is a wheel with a stick and in the left hand is a conch touching the waist. This is the basic form of a deity. Taking in to consideration the consecration specialties of the deity there is a change in pooja also. ’Nivedyam’ is offered to the deity before abhishekam with a slight deviation from ordinary rituals .It is believed that Villwamangalam Swamiyar adorned the deity with a particular wedlock which with its magical influence, changed the minds of thousands of people considering that ‘Gopalakrishna’ is their only protector. The only annual festival without fireworks and elephant is celebrated in the late hours of midnight in the Pookkoth Nada (the national highway), from 6th march (Kumbham 22) to 16th March .On these colorful days thousands of devotees dance, run and enjoy with their lords Balarama and Krishna with the torchbearers and drummers which recalls the playful younger days of their favorite lords. The sights on 6th March and 20th March which represents the joyful union of the loving brothers and their sorrowful separation really pierce down deep into the heart. On festival days a Swamiji is invited to play with the lords who are very rare in other festivals. Even though there are many offerings to lord Krishna, the most important offerings is “Karayila Appam” (unni appam). This is prepared in Agrasala and dedicated to God on the Mandapam by the women from Namboothiri families.

Annapoorneshwari Temple located at Cherukunnu, is a famous temple of North Malabar. At this temple, Lord Krishna is co-located with Sree Annapoorneswari. It is believed that Sree Annapoorneswari has visited the shrine which was under the sea. It is also believed that this temple have been constructed by Lord Parashurama – mythological architect of Kerala. The temple is near Cherukunnu Town, around 14 km from Kannur, 16 km from Taliparamba and 18 km from Payyannur. A large Chira (Swimming pool) is also located near the temple which is very beautiful and mindglowing.This is one of the 108 Durga Temples. ‘Annadhanam’ is held everyday to all the devotees coming from far and near places. Grand celebrations featuring special rituals and cultural programmes are the highlights of the vishu vilakkulsavam at Cherukunnu Sri Annapoorneswary temple. The festivities begin with the hoisting of the festival flag. Purathezunnallippu, a ceremonial procession with the idol of the deity is held on all days on the temple premises. The Kazchavaravu, a festival ritual, and fire works held on the third, fourth and fifth days are another attraction. Thidampu nritham, a ritualistic dance, in which the performer carries the idol on his head, is held on all days.

Sree Vadukunda Siva Temple was constructed on “Madai Para” where there is a divine power of “Swayambhoo” of lord Siva. This temple is believed to have been constructed by “Kolathiri” Kings during medieval period on a plateau land now known as “Madai Para”, in Madai village, the nearby rural area of Kunhimangalam. The “Kolathiri” monarchy is an inherent branch of previous “Mooshaka” dynasty, which governed “Ezhimala” region during 5th to 8th Century. They constructed castles and temples and established their head quarters in this significant plateau land lying at about 150 ft height from the sea level. The mythology about the temple and its divine power is that even after “Bhadrakaali” killed “Darikasura” on this plateau land, the Goddess refused to give up her anger and started the “killing dance” which continued for several days and nights. Since the prayers of the devotees to stop the “threatening dance” did not bring a positive result, they started praying God Siva. When God Siva pleased on such prayers, appeared before “Badrakaali” and persuade her to take a bath to cool down mentally as well as physically. For this purpose Lord Siva excavate a lake with his “Thrisoolam” and the God along with “Devi” took bath in this so called “Vadukunda Lake” and made her mind calm. Then she was given a seat in the northeast part of “Madai Para” and God Siva himself emerged as “Swayambhoo” at Vadukunda near the lake. The “swayambhoo” is believed to be invigorated by the Saint Parasuraman, who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The deity of Parassinikkadavu Templeis Muthappan. The deity is in a hunter’s attire. A bow and arrow are held. There are canines as companions.The rituals have variations as compared to other temples. Theyyam is a cardinal ritual here. In fact it is the only place in kannur district where you can be almost guaranteed a glimpse of the theyyatam, enancted twice daily(6.30-8.30a and 5.45-8.30pm)before teh assembled worshippers by the resident priest. The Theyyam dancer manifests as the presiding god, dances and utters like the god. During the ritual dance the dancer possesses the powers to solve the problems of the devotees and he announces solutions.Theyyam begins in early morning. There are two Theyyams or Thiruroopams (sacred appearance) as some call. One represents Thiruvappan and the other Vellatom. During Kalasam (a specific ritual performed in Muthappan and Chathan temples with related musics) the Madayan (chief priest designate) accepts Roopam (image). Thereafter the performer gears toThiru Nritham (sacred dance). the two hour ceremony culminates with the peak stage where the Theyyam the performer transforms himself as the deity and the devotees are called one after one to listen to their grievances or demands. After hearing, solutions are prescribed.Mostly for the convenience of the devotees coming from far-flung areas the temple runs a Resort – Thai Resort(0497 2784242). Shaded by coconut trees, seven circular stone cottages are dotted around a well kept garden. It has all modern amenities and facilities.

Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple of Payyanur is believed to be constructed by Lord Parasurama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are references in Hindu Puranas about this temple and the temple town Payyanur. In Brahmanda Purana the temple and its town is being mentioned while Muni Garga explains about Kerala to the Pandavas during their exile (vanavasa). Subrahmanya Swami Temple is closely related with the Payyanur. Even the name of the town is originated due to the existence of the temple. This temple was destroyed two times. Once due to a fire and then during the attack of Tipu Sultan of Mysore The temple was reconstructed in the present form in Malayalam era 967 (AD 1792). Pavithra mothiram – sanctified ring – made with gold and holy darbha grass is a speciality here. The Brahmins used to wear such rings during rituals. The ring is made outside on order and sanctification is done in the temple. It is believed, wearing this ring, evils ward off.

There is an interesting myth connected with the origin of the temple. It is believed that the idol consecrated here is the very idol worshiped by Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna at Dwaraka in Dwapara Yuga millenniums ago. One day it happened that she failed to notice her husband standing near her as she was immersed in performing pooja to the idol. The Lord got furious. He kicked the idol off the pedestal. It flew and fell in the nearby sea. Its right hand was broken. Time and Tide took the idol to the Kannur sea belt. A fisherman happened to net it. It being a precious catch, he presented it to King Valabhan, the Kolathiri King ruling over the area more than thousand years ago. The king had constructed a temple Kadalayi, a village about 6Kms north of Kannur and was on the lookout for an idol to be consecrated there. The astrologers understood the sanctity of the idol and confirmed that the idol, though its hand was broken and thus deformed, was worthy of consecration. The idol was thus consecrated at Kadalayi. When the temple was ruined due to the devastating onslaught of time a new temple was built at Chirakkal one eighty years ago and the old idol re-consecrated. The temple, though situated at Chirakkal, came to be called by its old name Kadalayi.