Sree Subramanyaswami temple, Maniyoor

Datable to eleventh century, the details of the origin of the temple are still obscure. However, certain parts of the temple, particularly the design of pranaalam and the standing idol of Lord Subramanya are reminiscent of the Chola idiom. It is reported that the idol was first consecrated by a great sage though there is no legend associated with it. Earlier, the temple was owned by Maanaatt and Kannambetti illams. In 1965, due to financial difficulties, this illam had to hand over the temple to HR&CE Department. Now it is managed by a Temple Committee appointed by the HR&CE Department.

The temple owns 3.5 acres of land of which the temple complex is 50 cents. The structures thereon include Sreekovil, namaskaara-mandapam, Valiya-balikkal and chuttambalam.
The square dwi-thala sandhaara type Sreekovil with a mukha-mandapam facing west has two antharaalams. The adhishthaanam built with dressed laterite stones and plastered with lime has mouldings of jagathi, vrutha-kumudam, kumuda-padi, kampam, galam, gala-padi and padi. The sopanam has four direct steps with the motif of Vyaali-mukham engraved on the top of banisters. The granite pranaalam, made of laterite, is of simplified type but the sundu ends in a lip-shape of go-mukha. It has followed the typical Chola tradition. The beautifully carved laterite walls have three ghanadwaaras, besides a functional door at the west. On the southern side of outer antharaalam, there are idols of Lord Ganapathi and Lord Dakshinamoorthy. The namaskaara-mandapam has sixteen pillars. The dilapidated chuttambalam has two entrances the main one at west and the other at north. The thidappali and well are at north-west. The Valiya-balikkal having motifs is located within the detached agra-mandapam, which has the roof covered with sheets. The sub-shrine of Lord Sooryanaraayana is located at north-east. There are tharas for Lord Ayyappa and Bhoothas at north-west. The laterite-paved pradakshina path has a width of 50 cm. The compound wall is built with laterite stones.

Themes based on puranas are carved on the laterite walls and figurines in wood are seen on the roof.

The idol of Lord Subramanya with marked influence of Chola tradition, is in standing pose with a height of about 90 cm. The sankalpam of the idol is of Baala-Subramanyan. The idols of Sree Dakshinamoorthy and Lord Ganapathi are almost of the same height (15 cm.) but the former is only a sila-linga type while the latter is in sitting pose. The Lord Ayyappa idol is in squatting pose (45 cm.) but that of Bhoothathaan is only a sila idol without form. The sila idol of Lord Sooryanarayana is in standing pose (90 cm.)

The temple is kept open daily from 6 to 11 AM and 6 to 8 PM. The main poojas held are
Usha-pooja (8 AM)
Uccha-pooja (10:30 AM)
Athazha-pooja (7:30 PM.)
No daily sreebali is done. However, sreeboothabali is held on the forenoon of festival ways.

The main offerings are sharkara payasam, vella-nivedyam and pushpanjali of which the first one is held for fulfilment of desires.

Thrikarthika (in Vrischikam) is observed as the festival day. Kathakali and ottam-thullal are staged, besides modern entertainments like drama, dance etc.

The thantri who consecrated the idol first is not known. The present thantri belongs to Poonthottath illam of Thaliparambu. The chief priest is from Nampoothiris. The other staff includes a Marar.

Situated twenty kilometres east of Kannur at Chekkikulam, the temple is approachable by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Kannur.