Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

About Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

Mahalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the scenic village of Adoor, 45 kms east of Kasargod district, Kerala.The Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple lies on the southern bank of the river Payasini. The landscape is soothing to the eye. It is at this river that people take a holy dip during the Makara Sankramam Festival. The Makara Samkramam is a very important festival day in the temple when a Sahasra Kumbha Abhishekam with feeding of a large number of people takes place.The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of February/ March.The festival that lasts for a week, commence with the temple flag hoisting (Dhwaja Arohanam) on the 27th of Kumbham and concludes with the holy dip (Avabhritha Snanam) in the water of Payaswini on the 4th of Meenam. During the festive days, Kathakali and other theatrical performances are staged. Makara Samkramam is another important festival celebrated here with much zeal.The walls of the temple is adorned with colourful paintings of Ganapati and Sashta and the roofs are exquisitely carved with the scenes from holy scripts. The transliterated inscription of Sanskrit in Kannada script in the temple shows that it is someway related to the Western Chalukya King Kirthivarman II of 745-755 AD.Adoor Mahalingeshwara Temple is noted for its ancient Shiva Temple which is supposed to have been constructed by Arjuna, the epic hero of the Mahabharata.

Interesting things to Visit

Bakel Fort:

The largest and best preserved fort in the State. The alluring scene of the sea shore and its exhilarating natural scenary and beauty attracts the visitors. Fast emerging as an International tourist centre.

Kottancheri Hills:

The rain forest near Konnakkad 30 km north- east of Kanhangad. Beautiful picnic centre and ideal for trekking. Thalakkaveri in the Brahmagiri mountain of Coorg is near this hills. Reflection of genetic beauty of Kodaikkanal.

Posadigumpe:

An ideal picnic centre and tourist resort located on a hillock 487.68 metres above sea level in Dharmathadka 30 km north-east of Kasargod. From the hill top one can see the Arabian Sea, Manglore, Kudremukh, etc.

Ananthapura Lake Temple:

The Ananthapural Lake Temple is located 30 kilometers from Bakel and 5 kilometers from Kumbala. This is the only lake temple in Kerala. The temple is believed to be the ‘moolasthaanam’ (original abode) of ‘Ananthapadmanabha’, the presiding deity at padmanabhaswami Temple, Trivandrum. The temple is surrounded by a lake and is home to a crocodile, which is supposed to be the guard of the temple. It is believed that when one crocodile dies, another mysteriously takes its place. The lake also occupied with fishes. The place Kumbala and the temple can easily reach. In fact the temple draws more tourists than devotees. It is a must watch in this region.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Bekal police station
Bekal, Kerala.

Police Station
Puttur, Dakshina Kannada
Karnataka.

Police Station
Ullal, Dakshina Kannada
Karnataka.

Police Station
Bantwal, Karnataka.

Kadri Police Station
Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada
Karnataka.

Nearest Hospital:

Malik Deenar Charitable Hospital
Kasaragod, Kasaragod
Kerala.

Government Hospital
Kasaragod, Kasaragod
Kerala.

AJ Hospital
Kuntikana, Bejai, Mangalore
Karnataka 575004
0824 2225533.

EK Nayanar Memorial Co-Operative Hospital
Chengala, Kasaragod
Kerala.

Government Hospital
Kasaragod, Kerala.

Location info

• Address: Adoor, Kasargod District, Kerala, India

• District: Kasargod District

• Nearest City: Trivandrum, Adoor and Pathanamthitta

• Best time to visit: February and March.

History of Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

According to the mythology, a Harijan, who was an untouchable, discovered the Shiva lingam while he was on his way to his work. Since the Shiva Lingam was discovered by a common man, the day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. People throng to the temple premises and wear their choicest costumes. They celebrate the Makara Sankramam Festival with remarkable fervor and keenness. They pay homage to the Shiva Lingam and also ask for their prosperity and overall happiness.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival takes place according to the Malayalam calendar. The best time to witness this festival is during its scheduled dates, which vary annually. Most Kerala festivals occur between November and May (the dry season). Check the official dates from Kerala Tourism before planning your visit.

How to reach Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 40 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Timings & opening hours

Festival timings vary by event. Most temple festivals start in the morning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and continue through the evening with processions, cultural programs, and fireworks. Night processions typically start around 8:00 PM–9:00 PM and continue past midnight.

Entry fee & tickets

Most festival events are free to attend and watch. Processions and temple grounds can be accessed without charge. Special seating for fireworks viewing may cost INR 100–500. Some cultural performances during festivals may have ticketed entry.

Duration needed

Major festivals last 8–10 days. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours per day watching key events. The main procession day requires 4–6 hours.

Safety tips

Very large crowds gather at Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival — keep your belongings secure and watch for pickpockets. Arrive early for a good viewing position of processions. Follow the instructions of festival volunteers and police. Keep children close and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Carry water and stay hydrated. Avoid bringing large bags or valuables to crowded festival grounds.

Things to carry

Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (crowds can be very large, seating may not be available), drinking water in a reusable bottle, a hat or cap, sunscreen and umbrella for day events, a light snack, earplugs (processions can be very loud with drums and fireworks), a camera (zoom lens recommended for procession shots), a power bank, and a small bag that can be secured against pickpockets.

Nearby visiting places

Guruvayoor Temple, Athirappilly Waterfall, Vazhachal Waterfall, Punnathur Kotta, Kerala Kalamandalam, Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, Vilangan Hills

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 40 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Things to do at Adoor Mahalingeswara Temple Festival

Witness the grand procession of caparisoned elephants, listen to traditional percussion ensembles (pancha vadyam, chenda melam), watch traditional performing arts (Kathakali, Theyyam, folk dances), enjoy the spectacular fireworks displays, taste festival-special food, shop at temporary festival markets, interact with local communities participating in the festivities, photograph the colourful events, and experience the unique cultural atmosphere of a Kerala festival.

Frequently asked questions

When does this festival take place? — Most Kerala festivals follow the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Dates vary annually — check the Kerala Tourism website or local sources for exact dates for your travel period. Is the festival free to attend? — Yes, all processions and public events are free. Special seating areas for fireworks or cultural programmes may have ticketed entry. How crowded is it? — Very crowded during major festivals. Large events like Thrissur Pooram attract hundreds of thousands of people. Arrive early, keep belongings secure, and establish meeting points. What should I wear? — Comfortable clothing suitable for standing in crowds. Modest dress is appreciated. Wear comfortable shoes.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Kerala
• Category: Fairs And Festivals

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.