India is a land of diversity with the celebration of culture, religions and traditions. Each of the 28 states and 8 union territories of India is rich in diversity and individuality. One temple in Kerala’s Kannur worships gods, goddesses and four-legged furry friends, dogs! Yes, you read that right! The most loyal animal has a dedicated temple in India. Just as you step into the premises of Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple, you can see cute doggos roaming around!
This Temple In Kannur Worships Dogs!
The 400+ old Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple (Kerala) provides not only free food but also free accomodation to ol, irresp.of faith. The deity Sri Muthappan (embodiment of Mahadēv & Hāri) is God of poors. Dogs r revered here. Sri Muthappan is believed to b accompanied by dog. 🙏 https://t.co/WhHHVHSLYe pic.twitter.com/HzptqoeJvM
— ঘোররূপা (@_Agnijwala_) January 31, 2021
Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple is dedicated to Lord Muthappan. Muthappan is a personification of the Thiruvappan (Vishnu) and the Vellatom (Shiva). This temple is located on the banks of the Valapattanam River in Kannur and receives a huge footfall from across the country along with devotees’ dogs. Followers are welcomed by two bronze sculptures of dogs that depict love and devotion towards dogs.
Lord Muthappan is the god of the poor and the toiling masses who appreciates toddy and roasted fish as prasad. Along with this, dogs are his dear companions and always tailed him. Hence, this temple became a sacred place for the dogs. They are treated equally as the divine gods. This is the reason why Kannur’s Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple houses a bunch of dogs in its courtyard. Isn’t it fascinating? However, there is more to just worshipping them and booping their noses.
A Naming Ceremony Ritual
Muttappa devotees waiting to get Darshan, here dogs are considered as divine. You will always find dogs inside the temple as muttappa had a fondness for them. Muttappa Sharanam 🙏 #Parassinikadavu #Temples #kannur #Kerala #Hinduism #LordShiva #mahadev
Pic credit: Raj Nair pic.twitter.com/K5tw8eptIA
— M.C.Vivek (@mcvivek) December 15, 2018
The Kantara priests are responsible for performing naming ceremonies for the adorable dogs or the pups. It is a special tradition followed here. People from other parts of the world travel with their canines to undergo this unusual ceremony. The naming ceremony of dogs is a common sight during the Thiruvappana Vellattam festival. It is a free-of-cost ritual open to all the devotees and their pet dogs.
This ceremony consists of Kantara priests blessing dogs, chanting mantras in their ears and feeding them prasad among other traditional rituals. The first offerings of Lord Muthappan’s prasad are fed to dogs at Kannur’s Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple. Apart from the pet dogs, the ones residing in the temple are served food and given shelter.
Also Read: 6th Century CE’s Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh Is One Of The Earliest Gupta-Era Shrines In North India
It is such a wholesome and adorable experience to visit Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple in Kannur and see this unique ceremony unfold. Are you visiting soon?
Where: Parassinikadavu, Kerala
Timings: 5:30 AM – 10 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons & Canva
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