Mannur Mahadeva temple is located in Kadalundi village, the southern part of Kozhikode District. This is one of the 108 renowned temples of Kerala, consecrated by Lord Parasurama, on top of a hill with scenic surroundings as is the case with similar other temples. Scholars put the age of the temple more than one thousand years though no concrete evidence is available for this.
The very size of the west-faced two-tiered sanctum sanctorum with intricate architectural designs cannot escape attention of the visitor. The shape is also rarely seen in Kerala, the Gajaprishta shape or the Elephant's back. The foundation is of granite boulders and walls are of red laterite stone with exquisite carvings.
The deity here is considered to be the 'Aghoramurthy', Lord Shiva who is angry after the 'Dakshayaga'. It is also believed that the Mahavishnu temple on the right side was built for pacifying Lord Shiva. Alongside are Vigneswara and Sastha consecrated as sub-deities. The Chuttambalam here has undgergone degeneration but still exists.
The temple was enormously rich and has a glorious past. 'Varam', 'Murajapam' and 'Pattathanam' were conducted in a grand manner regularly. Pilgrims from far away places reach the temple specially since the deity here bestows his blessings on epilepsy patients.
The temple was administered by traditional 'Ooralans', the two families of Perumparambil and Manezhi Illams. On the Agrarian Reforms Bill getting enacted and the consequent annualment of lease system it became difficult to meet even the day to day expenses of the temple. In the public interest therefore the governance of the temple was handed over to Hindu Religious charitable endowment department. They entrusted the management to a Trustee Board.
Over the years the temple complex suffered setbacks. The grand appearance outside does not reflect the degeneration of the supporting structure and broken tiles and calls for urgent replacement thereon. The tiles are to be got manufactured specially for the peculiar shape of the Sreekovil. Considering this fact and keeping in view other factors the temple authorities have been decided that copper plates for roofing is more appropriate after renovation of the super structure with new wooden frames.
Shivaratri and Thiruvathira are celebrated in grand style at Mannur Mahadeva temple. Thiruvathira is considered widely as the day on which Parvathi met Shiva after a long penance. Some consider it also as the birthday of Lord Shiva (you might have heard that Sri Rama's birthday is on Punartham, Sri Ayyappa's is on Utram, Sri Ganapathi's is on Atham, Krishna's is on Rohini etc). Festival is also said to be celebrated to commemorate the death of Kamadeva, the God of love and sex, according to Hindu mythology. It may be noted that the 'Ardra darshan' festival of Tamil Nadu corresponds to Thiruvathira festival of Kerala.
Thiruvathira is celebrated in the month of Dhanu(Malayalam Calendar) which corresponds to the month of December-January(Gregorian calendar).
Thiruvathira is essentially women's festival. Ladies on this day worship Lord Shiva and pray for conjugal harmony and marital bliss. The other interesting facet of the festival is the enchanting Thiruvathirakali, a dance performed by women on this day.
The festival of Thiruvathira is extremely popular amongst womenfolk and more specifically among the women of Nair Community. Festivities of Thiruvathira begin a week before commencing from Aswathi asterism. Neglecting the biting cold of the winter season, women wake up at 4 am and take bath usually in rivers. While taking bath women sing songs, in worship of Lord Kaamadeva, rhythmically by splashing water with their palm.
Women observe fast on Thiruvathira. Instead of a rice meal they take preparations of wheat besides fruits. There is also a tradition of chewing betel leaves on this day. First Thiruvathira after marriage is called Puthen Thiruvathira or Poothiruvathira. It holds greater significance for the women and is celebrated on a grand scale with lot of gaiety and mirth.
Among the communities of Namboothiris, ambalavasis and Nairs there is a tradition known as 'Pathirappoochoodal', means 'wearing of flowers of midnight'. An image or idol of Lord Shiva is placed in the central yard(Nadumuttam) of the house at the midnight of Thiruvathira. An offering of flowers, plantains and jaggery is made to this idol. The women then perform the very elegant Thiruvathirakali around the image of Lord Shiva wearing the flowers received as 'prasadam' after the rites. It is a wonderful sight to watch women dancing on the rhythm of the song they sing and clapping their hands in unison with grace. Womenfolk also amuse themselves by playing on swings on this day.
