Sree Rudra worship in Ananthapuri that savours the legacy of many a century is closely associated with two temples which are situated at the heart of the metropolis of Trivandrum and are termed as Sreekanteswaram temples. The deity of these two temples is dearly called as Sreekanteswaran. The Sreekanteswaram temple located near to Over-Bridge and SMV school on M.G road is called as Pazhaya(Old) Sreekanteswaram. Devotees can prostrate before the Shiva Linga worshipped by Lord Parasurama in this temple. Lord Vishnu is also enshrined here along with Lord Shiva on his right side.
It was done purposefully to reduce the interminable power of Shiva who dwells here in his fiercest form(Ugra Bhava). There are seperate Sanctums for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Ganapathy, Subrahmanya, Ayyappa, Nagaraja, Hanuman, Nandi, Garuda and Devi are the sub-deities worshipped here. Sreekovil of Vishnu is covered with copper plates. Shivarathri is the main festival of this temple. The importance of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple began to wane with the rise of new Sreekanteswaram, but one can still find references to it in the Mathilakam records (documents relating to the administration of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple), dated 1587. The Chirikandeswaram mentioned in the record could bear reference to the old Sreekanteswaram. The old Sreekanteswaram was on the route taken by the King during Pallivetta(Royal hunt), a ritual connected with the festivities of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
It was done purposefully to reduce the interminable power of Shiva who dwells here in his fiercest form(Ugra Bhava). There are seperate Sanctums for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Ganapathy, Subrahmanya, Ayyappa, Nagaraja, Hanuman, Nandi, Garuda and Devi are the sub-deities worshipped here. Sreekovil of Vishnu is covered with copper plates. Shivarathri is the main festival of this temple. The importance of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple began to wane with the rise of new Sreekanteswaram, but one can still find references to it in the Mathilakam records (documents relating to the administration of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple), dated 1587. The Chirikandeswaram mentioned in the record could bear reference to the old Sreekanteswaram. The old Sreekanteswaram was on the route taken by the King during Pallivetta(Royal hunt), a ritual connected with the festivities of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
The Puthiya Sreekanteswaram Temple is located to the south-west of the Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple. This is a big temple with a golden flag staff. The idol here is swayambhoo(surfaced by its own) and was first seen by a woman. The 10 day long annual festival in new Sreekanteswaram Temple begins with a special offering called Panthirunazhi Pooja at Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple. This festival is in the month of Dhanu(December-January) and Arattu is on Thiruvathira day. Ayyappa, Ganapathy, Krishna and Nagaraja are the sub deities of this temple. There is an ancient Durga temple in the southern side of Sreekanteswaram temple. The temple-pond is infrontof the temple and is called as Jathakunda Theertham. Many poets, right from Irayimman Thampi to Tulasivanam R. Ramachandran Nair has sung the glory of the Lord Sreekanteswara.
Daily poojas begins at 3.30 am. Nirmalya Darsanam in this temple is very famous and it is belived that those who attends the Nirmalya Darsanam for 41 days continuously, will accomplish their wishes by the blessings of Lord Sreekanteswara. Four poojas are conducted daily. Palabhishekam aka Ksheeradhara(Pouring of milk to the Sivalinga) is the main offering. On Sivarathri, Palabhishekam is conducted all day long. Other offerings of the temple are Annadanam(giving free food), Pushpabhishekam, Natesa alankaram(decorating lord Natesa), 108 Kalasam, Mrutyunjaya Homam etc. Ucha Pooja nivedyam is a feast with eight items. This temple is managed by Travancore Devaswom Board.
Among the old topographical features of Sreekanteswaram, one would find that two aristocratic, old Brahmin houses, the Koopakara madom and Kallanthattil madom, had some historic importance. Koopakkara madom once overlooked the vast lands, Pandara vilakom, belonging to the King. The Koopakara Pottis constituted one of the nine hereditary trustees of the Ettara yogam of the Padmanabhaswami Temple. These Brahmins occupied a pride of place in the history of Venad before the rise of Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The ettara yogam also included the Maharaja of Travancore. The Koopakara madom also owned a priceless collection of very old palm-leaf manuscripts. Many came here to refer to the manuscripts, including Chattambi Swamikal. The Kallanthattil Namboothiris belonged originally to Kolathunadu in Kannur. One of them came to Padmanabhapuram during the reign of Maharaja Marthanda Varma seeking a job to train the heir apparent in martial arts. But, prior to entrusting him with the training, the King wished to test the trainer's skill and agility. After becoming convinced of his martial skills, the King invited the Kallanthattil gurukkal to stay at Sreekanteswaram, which was close to the Royal Kalari at Sree Paadam palace. This was during the 18th century, when the capital of Travancore was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. Many years later, some of the members of the Kallanthattil family shifted to Thiruvalla. Poet Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri's mother is a descendant of this family. Sreekanteswaram was also home to Sreekanteswaram Padmanabha Pillai (1864-1945), lexicographer and scholar, who compiled the `Sabdatharavali', an authentic Malayalam dictionary.
A writer and publisher, Bhakthan Parameswaran used to promote low-priced religious books was also a devotee of Sreekanteswaran. The tantric rights of the temple are bestowed upon Vanchiyoor Athiyara Madom and tantris are called as Nambis quite similar to the custom prevails in Padmanabha Swamy temple. Nambi is appointed as 'Purappeda Shanthi' so that he cannot go back to his house for the next three years and should stay in a Nambi Madom nearby the temple.
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