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Key Points

The KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell has launched special bus services from Kannur to the Kottiyoor Temple for the annual festival. More than 150 trips are planned using 93 buses to accommodate pilgrims. Tourists have praised the service for its safety and convenience during the crowded festival. The Kottiyoor Temple, known as the "Varanasi of the South," attracts devotees with its lush forest setting and sacred significance.

Key Points: KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell Runs Buses for Kottiyoor Festival Pilgrims

  • KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell organizes pilgrimage trips to Kottiyoor Temple
  • Over 150 trips planned with 93 buses
  • Tourists praise safety and convenience
  • Festival held in scenic Western Ghats
3 min read

Kerala's budget tourism cell organises buses from Kannur to attend Kottiyoor festival

Kerala's budget tourism cell arranges special KSRTC buses from Kannur to Kottiyoor Temple for the annual festival, ensuring safe pilgrimage trips.

"This time under KSRTC care, we got to do darshan safely and visit all places without hassle – Tourist"

Kannur, June 22

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Kannur Unit, under the Budget Tourism Cell, organised a pilgrimage trip to the Kottiyoor Temple on Sunday.

The journey began at 6:30 am from the Kannur KSRTC bus stand, covering stops at Mamanathambalam, Mridanga Shaileswari Temple, and Puralimala Muthappan Temple before reaching Kottiyoor by noon.

The trip was led by Kannur District Coordinator Tansheer KR and was arranged in response to requests from regular passengers of the KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell.

Meanwhile, another district coordinator, Verghese, mentioned that more than 150 trips to Kottiyoor are expected for the festival, using more than 90 buses of KSRTC.

"The budget tourism cell is responsible to conduct pilgrim packages and tourism packages in Kerala. In Kottiyoor, this year we are expecting more than 150 trips from all the districts of Kerala, with 93 units of KSRTC," Verghese told ANI.

The tourism bus service has received a positive response from the public. One tourist shared that this was her first time travelling by bus to Kottiyoor, and she found it to be an enjoyable and safe experience.

A tourist told ANI during the bus ride, "I have been going to Kottiyoor for the last 2 years but this is the first time I am going under the care of KSRTC. Usually as I go, there is a lot of crowd, but this time under the care of KSRTC we got to do darshan and we were able to go to all the places safely."

The Kottiyoor festival, also known as Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam, is a mesmerising festival held amidst dense forest with the lush greenery of Wayanadan hills and the gorgeous River Baveli forming a stunning backdrop.

The Kottiyoor Shiva Temple, also known as the "Varanasi of the South," is a significant pilgrimage site in Kannur, Kerala, India. It comprises two temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, located on either side of the Bavali River. The temples are situated in a dense forest area within the Western Ghats.

The Akkare Kottiyoor temple is open only during the Vaisakha festival, a 28-day event that typically occurs in May-June. It's located on the opposite side of the river and is known for its unique structure, lacking the common formal temple layout.

The temple is associated with the legend of Daksha Yaga, where Daksha's sacrifice was interrupted by Shiva, and Sati immolated herself. The temple is believed to be a place where the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) is present.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Anitha P.
This is such a wonderful initiative by KSRTC! As someone who's been to Kottiyoor before, the crowd management is always challenging. Having organized buses makes the pilgrimage so much more accessible and comfortable. Kudos to the Budget Tourism Cell! 🙏
R
Rahul K.
While I appreciate the effort, I hope they maintain proper hygiene and safety standards in these buses. Last year when I went, private buses were overcrowded and not well maintained. Government buses should set a better example.
M
Meena S.
Kottiyoor festival is truly magical! The forest setting and river make it feel so divine. I'm glad more people will get to experience this through these budget tours. Maybe next year they can include some local food stops too - the Malabar cuisine there is amazing!
V
Vijay N.
As a frequent traveler, I must say KSRTC's Budget Tourism Cell is doing great work. They've made so many pilgrimage sites accessible at reasonable rates. Hope they expand this model to other states too. Kerala tourism is setting a great example!
P
Priya R.
The Kottiyoor temple's connection to the Daksha Yaga legend makes it so special. I remember my grandmother's stories about this place. Good to see the younger generation getting easier access to such spiritual sites. Maybe they can include some storytelling sessions about the temple history during the bus journey?
S
Suresh M.
While this is good, I hope they're also taking care of the environmental impact. The Western Ghats are ecologically sensitive. 150 trips with 90 buses means thousands of visitors - proper waste management systems must be in place to protect the beautiful forest surroundings.

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