Mattannur Mahadeva Temple is located around 25 km east of Kannur town in Mattannur in Kannur district, Kerala. Mattannur Mahadeva temple festival 2024 date is February 28 to March 6.
Thidambu Nritham, a ritual dance performed in the Hindu temples of Malabar, and the pulling of theru (chariot) are the main events. The festival ends with Arattu. Elephants are not allowed to participate in the temple festival. So all procession are held on Ratha or theru.
The 7-day annual festival in the temple is observed from Kumbham 15 to Kumbham 22.
The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva in Dakshinamurti sankalpam. The Prathishta was performed by Parashurama. The main deity now faces west but originally it was facing east.
The Upa Devata worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Ayyappa, Bhoothathan and Naga. There is also a Vishnu temple in the temple complex like an independent temple. The Keezhedam temple of this shrine is an Ayyappan Kavu.
Mattannur Mahadeva temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. In ancient times only a Brahmachari could do puja in the temple. Now the rule has been relaxed.
The temple belonged to Mattannur Thangal – Namboothiri families who practiced warfare and used weapons were given the title of Thangal.
The annual pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Mithuna Masam (June - July).