Thriprangode Shiva Temple is one of the most powerful abodes of Lord Shiva in Kerala and is situated in Malappuram district near Tirunavaya. Devotees could take bus from Tirur or from Kuttipuram to reach the temple. Lord Shiva of Thriprangode is fearfully called as 'Kalakalan' aka 'Mrutyunjayan' or the 'destroyer of death'. There is a fascinating story behind the wide spread of this name and is connected with Markandeya, the son of sage Mrikandu.
Sage Mrikandu was a devotee of Lord Shiva and did great penance to have a son. Lord Shiva appeared before the sage and asked him whether he would like to have a son who will live for a short period, gifted with extra-ordinary intelligence or a boy who will live long, as an idiot. The sage asked for the former and without much delay, his wife gave birth to Markandeya, a child having superior qualities who was sadly destined to live only for sixteen years.
Many years winged by and young Markandeya grew to become a great scholar. When he was about to turn sixteen, his parents told him about his fate. Although shocked, Markandeya stood as calm as a millpond. He went to Tirunavaya and started worshipping Navamukundan(Lord Vishnu). Once, when he was sleeping, Navamukundan came in his dreams and told that only Lord Shiva of Thriprangode could save him from the sure death. Navamukundan ordered Markandeya to flee to Thriprangode without wasting time, through the west-door of Thirunavaya temple, as Lord Yama(God of death) reached Thirunavaya to seize Markandeya's soul. As soon as Markandeya stepped out, Navamukundan closed the west-door, thus obstructed the way of Yama.
Markandeya started running with an yell to Thriprangode with Lord Yama on chase. Hardly had Markandeya entered the precincts of Thriprangode temple when the Peepal tree in front of the temple severed to give way for the poor devotee. Markandeya entered the Srikovil and clasped the Shiva Linga firmly with an outcry. Yama soon approached the boy and tossed his noose around Markandeya's neck. Markandeya held on to the lingam as Yama's noose landed around the Shiva linga.
No sooner had Yama pulled the noose than Lord Shiva furiously emerged from the Shiva Linga and with a glimpse of his third eye, Yama was turned into a heap of ash. Later, Brahma and Vishnu along with other demi-gods came to Thriprangode and prayed to Lord Shiva to give Yama back his life and spare Bhoomi Devi of her burden. Pacified by the implorations, Shiva revived Yama under the condition that Markandeya should not be touched again by him. Shiva blessed Markandeya that he will live forever as a youthful person. Yama bowed to the wish of Shiva and thus Markandeya was saved.
Thriprangotappan is powerful enough to save a devotee from the clutches of death. After killing Yama with his trident, Lord Shiva, disguised as an old man, took a bath in the nearby pond and washed his weapon. At that time, child of the temple-priest saw him and helped him to wash his body. Pleased by the child's act, Shiva blessed him and taught him certain hymns to do Sankhabhishekam. It is believed that a person will live long if 'Sankhabhishekam' (ablution with water poured from a divine conch) is offered to Thriprangotapan, on his birthday. The hymns used for the 'Sankhabhishekam' is a secret and is known only to the Tantri of the temple. It is needless to say now that 'Sankhabhishekam' is performed not by the Melshanthi(the chief priest of the temple) but by the Tantri. Tantric rights of Thriprangode Mahadeva temple are vested with Kalpuzha Mana.
The Srikovil is a massive one, made in Gajaprishta style which itself shows the antiquity of the temple. The Shiva Linga is a swayambhoo one and it faces west. Karanayil Shiva, Navamukundan, Goshala Krishnan, Vettakkorumakan, Durga, Ganapathi and Ayyappan are worshipped as sub-deities. Apart from these, one can also see another three shiva lingas consecrated at this temple. They symbolize different manifestations of Mahadeva. 'Dhara' (ablution with water) is the main offering to Karanayil Shiva.
There is a big temple pond on the North side of the temple with two small 'theertha' ponds nearby. The temple was governed by Zamorins and it was a custom that a newly enthroned Zamorin, before his coronation, should take an oath in front of Thriprangotappan after presenting gold and silver.
