'Kottiyoor Vaishaka Mahotsavam' - a forest community that rarely appear on maps.'

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In the deep interiors of Kannur, where the Western Ghats meet the roaring Bavali River, lies Kottiyoor — one of India’s most unique religious landscapes. Known as the Dakshina Kashi of the South, it is a living forest shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped not within walls, but under an open sky.

The Kottiyoor Vaishaka Mahotsavam is a rare and deeply immersive festival, akin to a pilgrimage and it remains one of the most powerful and least documented religious landscapes in India. 

Over two days, this experiential journey extends beyond the festival into the interiors of Kannur — its unseen groves, living traditions, and village rhythms. It is "not" a photography tour but an "experiential journey" — since in a space like this, presence matters more than photography. Moments may be quietly captured — a smartphone being the most natural companion, as DSLRs are largely restricted beyond the outer precincts. This experience gives you an opportunity in a way to witness a festival that local communities hold sacred — one that comes alive just once a year over 28 days.

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​​​​Experience Kerala. Experience INDIA!  ​​