Sringapuram Mahadeva temple, one of the famous 108 Shiva temples, is just 1.5 kms away from Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple on the Kodungalloor-Paravur bus route (NH-17). This is one of the four Tali temples of the erstwhile Chera capital of Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) that still possesses ancient grandeur. Hence it is also called as Sringapuram Tali(Chingor tali) temple. The temple adjoins the Kodungalloor Kovilakam (palace).
The Lord Shiva here is supposed to be in the penitent mood after the immolation of Sati (Consort of Lord Shiva) during the Dakshayaga. He is supposed to perform penance in the middle of the Panchagni(fire). The consecration of the idol by Sage Rishyashringa accounts for the name of the temple.
The temple is located in a vast enclosed compound facing east. Past the modest Gopuram door, one comes to the 'nadapanthal' with tiled roof, beyond which is the flagmast. The Valiambalam is entered through the Agramandapa, housing the valiabalikkal(big sacrificial stone). Past the valiambalam one enters the akathebalivattom containing the sanctum sanctorum. There is an improvised low, narrow mughappu to the Sreekovil, which is necessarily a recent addition. The sreekovil is a square two-tiered structure with a mughamandapa in front. The Shiva Linga idol seen inside the main sanctum is massive.
The adhishtana(foundation) consists of the usual mouldings in granite topped by a granite vedika. The superstructure walls are built up of laterite, plastered over with simple decorative work. There are ghanadvaras on the South, West and North sides. The granite pranala on the north side is also of the simplest type. The mukhamandapa has two other doors on its south and north with granite steps and banisters. The nandi is seen inside the mukhamandapa, slightly off the longitudinal axes.
The thidappalli(temple-kitchen) is on the agnikone with the well close by. There is neither a separate namaskara mandapa nor the vilakkumaadam. Around the outer periphery wall of the naalambalam, granite lamps are fixed at intervals.
The akathe balivattom is enclosed by the naalambalam on the four sides. Outside the naalambalam there are four small shrines in the four diagonal corners, each housing a shiva linga. There are no other upadevatas in the premises. Thus there are totally five shiva idols inside the temple premises and according to some they represent 'Panchabhoothas' aka five elements - fire, water, sky, earth and wind. A different version of the tale says that the five idols together represent the Panjakshari Mantra aka 'Nama Sivaya'. Whatever be the truth, one thing is certain that an incredible amount of energy of Lord Shiva is dissolved in the atmosphere of the temple precincts.
The daily rituals consist of three poojas and three shribalis. Eight day festival is celebrated in Kumbham with Aarattu, coming on the new moon day after Shivarathri. The tantric rights are vested with the Thamarasseri Mekkattu Illam.
The four thalis of Kodungallur - Melthali, Keezhthali, Nediyathali and Shringapuram thali (Chingor thali) and the Thaliyathiris of each find epigraphical evidence in the tenth to twelfth centuries AD. From the meaning temple the name Thali was extended to the place in which each was built.
The thaliyathiris (rulers of the tali) were representatives of the people, each elected and enthroned by each of the Avarodha (investiture) Kazhakams or electing assemblies of Irinjalakuda, Airanikkulam, Paravur, Moozhikkulam etc. all within a radius of 25 miles from the imperial capital at Mahodayapuram.
The Nediya Tali temple is another Shiva temple of the famous 108 shiva temples of Kerala. Here in an ancient srikovil, Shiva faces west. Shiva linga is having good size as well as height and the temple is considered as the capital of Paravur Kazhakam.
Keezhtali temple is another one of this congregation but sadly only a srikovil is left there.
SHIVA PANCHAKSHARA STOTRA
- Nagendra haaraaya Thrilochanaaya
Bhasmaanga raagaaya Maheshvaraaya
Nityaaya Shuddhaaya Digambaraaya
Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya.Meaning: I offer my humble salutations to Lord Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodies as the first letter Na. - Mandaakini Salila Chandana Charchitaaya
Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya
Mandaara Pushpa Bahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya
Tasmai Makaaraaya Namah ShivaayaMeaning: I bow to Lord Mahesvara, who is embodied as Makaara (letter Ma), whose body is anointed with holy waters from the river Ganges and sandal paste, who is the sovereign king of the Pramatha Ganas and who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers such as Mandaara. - Shivaaya Gauri Vadanabjavrintha-
Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya
Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya
Tasmai Shikaaraaya Namah ShivaayaMeaning: I offer my salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the resplendent sun for mother Gauri's lotus face (sun causes the lotus flower to open up and bloom; Lord Shiva makes mother Gauri's face bloom), who is the destroyer of Daksha's sacrificial ritual, who is the blue necked Lord (due to the Haalahala poison which He agreed to consume), whose banner bears the emblem of a bull and who is embodied as the letter Shi. - Vasishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya
Muneendra Devaarchita Shekharaaya
Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya
Tasmai Vakaaraaya Namah ShivaayaMeaning: I prostrate before the God of Gods, who is worshipped and prayed to by great sages such as Vashishta, Agastya and Gautama, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and who is embodied as Vakaara (letter Va). - Yaksha Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya
Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaatanaaya
Divyaaya Devaaya Digambaraaya
Tasmai Yakaraaya Namah Shivaaya.Meaning: Prostrartions to the sacred Lord who is the Yaksa incarnate, whose hairs are long and matted, who holds Pinaaka (trident) in His hand, who has the entire sky as His attire and who is embodied as the letter Ya. - Panchaaksharam Idam Punyam
Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau
Shivaloka Mavaapnothee
Shivena Saha ModateMeaning: Whoever repeats this prayer composed with the five holy letters before Lord Shiva, attains that supreme abode of His and enjoys the eternal Bliss.
