Taliparamba - Falling at the feet of Lord of Lords

Rajarajeswara(Lord of Lords) Temple is situated at Taliparamba town, 25 km away from Kannur city, is considered as the most celebrated place of Shiva worship in the erstwhile Malabar. Taliparamba aka Perinchalloor was one among the 64 brahminical settlements of Kerala. Hence Rajarajeswara is dearly called as Chelloornathan or Perinchelloorappan. The old name of Taliparamba was Lakshmipuram(Place where Goddess Lakshmi lives). All the fame and prosperity of Perinchelloor Gramam(village) is owing to the presence of Sree Raja Rajeswara temple and the blessings of Perum Thrikkovilappan(since the temple is also called as Perumthrikkovil).

The temple is situated about 1 Km north of Taliparamba town. As the proverb "all is big in Taliparamba", the temple, boundary wall of the temple, entrance etc. are magnificient. No devotee will be noticed by Perum Thrikkovilappan unless prostrated in front of him before entering. The temple is regarded as one of the 108 ancient Shiva temples of Kerala. Taliparamba is also regarded as one of the ancient Shakti Peethams. Legend has it that the head of Sati devi fell here after it was slayed by Lord Vishnu with his chakra during Shiva's tandava with the corpus following Sati's self-immolation. The Shiva linga here is believed to be thousands of years old.

The most distinguished of the royal poets of the Zamorin of Calicut, Uddanda Sastri(who was later defeated by Kakkasseri Bhattathiri), being a Nirgunopasaka, was never given to worshipping of deities. Whenever he visited a temple he simply stood before the deity without folding his hands. But when he stood before Rajarajeswara, the King of Kings at Taliparamba, he was so overwhelmed by the magnificence of the moon embellished atop Shiva Linga that he unconsciously uttered the words, 'Hara Hara Mahadeva' and prostrated himself before the Lord. Then and there he composed a verse to the effect that when he saw the splender of the crescent adorning the idol, his hands automatically joined together in prayer - "Moon on your head is like an actual moon which makes the devotees fold their hands as if a water-lilly does in the moonlight".

According to the myths, Shiva gave a Linga to his ardent devotee, Sage Mandhatha, for worship and told him to consecrate it in a place, faraway from a cremation ground. Mandhata found Taliparamba as the suitable place and did as Shiva ordered but after the period of Mandhata, Linga went beneath the ground. Later on Muchukunda, son of Mandhata, also prayed Lord Shiva for a Shivalinga. Shiva gave him another Linga which also was installed at the previous place in Taliparamba. This Shiva Linga also got disappeared under the soil. Then after a period of time, on the advice of Sage Agasthya, King Sathasoma made a penance and Shiva blessed him too with a Shiva Linga. Shiva told him that it won't get vanished. The deifying was done by Parasurama and he also built a temple in that holy spot upon Sathasoma's request.

Sree Rama, on his victorious return to Ayodhya from Lanka, after defeating Ravana, prostrated before Raja Rajeswara. He offered prayers to Shiva from the Mughamandapa in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. In respect to Sree Rama, nobody is allowed to enter into this Namaskara mandapa and offer prayers, which is permitted in other temples to Brahmins.

Ghee(Neyyamrithu) in small pots are offered before Perinchalloorappan by devotees and are placed on sopanam(steps leading to the sanctum) with utmost devotion. The custom is that, as Kings and Emperors are to be seen only after offering some gifts(Thirumulkazhcha), the Lord of Taliparamba, who is the King of Kings, can be seen only after placing ghee on the sopanam. The ghee offered is used for abhisheka and for lighting the lamps in the primary shrine. On auspicious days(like Monday and pradosham), hundreds of such small ghee pots can be seen placed before the deity. Mahashivratri and Vishu are the two main annual festivals celebrated in this temple.

Like that of Sabarimala, here also there are some restrictions for women to worship at Raja Rajeswara Temple. While men are allowed to enter the Nalambalam always, woman are allowed only after the Athazha pooja in the night. At this time the Lord is supposed to be at Cherukunnu to see Annapoorna devi(Mythically, Raja Rajeswaran is Viswanathan of Varanasi and Cherukunnu devi is Annapoorna of Banares).

Though it is not practised as widely as it was in the earlier days, it is still a religious custom among many local hindu women to visit three prominent temples in Taliparamba when they are pregnant. Apart from Rajarajeshwara temple, the other two temples are Sri Krishna at Trichambaram and Vaidyanatha(Shiva) at Kanjirangad. It is believed that Shiva at Rajarajeshwara temple assures the child a high status, Sri Krishna of Trichambaram bestows it with good nature and mental qualities and the Shiva at Kanjirangad temple with long life.

One of the Zamorins was an ardent devotee of the Lord of Taliparamba. After years of intense worship he is said to have entered the sanctum sanctorum and merged with the God. Even today when the elder Zamorin dies the information should be passed over to the temple authorities and the Lord is supposed to observe mourning. Even the distant Travancore kings paid obeisance to the deity by offering an elephant whenever a ruler is crowned or visited the temple.

The Taliparamba temple also was subjected to attack by Tipu Sultan. One finds relics of the old gigantic gopuram at the entrance, which was demolished by Tipu's army. The story goes that when the temple was under siege, the head priest get inside the sanctum sanctorum and prayed the Lord continously for days. A black snake bit the commander of the army and a hooded serpent appeared before every soldier thus immobilizing the army and saving the temple from total destruction.

Usually, vilwa leaves are not used here for worshipping Shiva, which is a rarity, as it is said that Shiva Linga also holds Vaishnava energy. Sub-deities of the temple are Ganapathy, Subrahmanya, Parvathi, Mahakalan, Yakshi, Vrikshabha, Aravathappan and Sri Krishnan.

The quadrangular sanctum has a two-tiered pyramidal roof. The temple faces east and the idol is having approximately three feet height. The temple has no flagstaff as opposed to other temples in Kerala. In front of the balikkal(a typical stone) is a small rectangular building with a pyramidal roof, which is not usually found anywhere else. An inscription on the structure of the temple tank (which is a little away from the temple on the north side) indicates that the temple andthe tank were renovated in 1524 A.D. 

The place is considered as most sacred for performing Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu. Whenever a new Koodiyattam is being directed, first it is usually performed at this temple. However only the 'Mani' family of Chakyars solely posses the right of performing Koodiyattam here. Legendary Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu maestro, Natyaachaarya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyaar had performed here for many decades. The title 'Vidushakaratnam' was awarded to him from this temple. One of the greatest appreciation or award that an artist/scholar can get, is the 'Veerashringhala'- Golden Bracelet, from the temple, given by the unanimous approval of the committee of the temple. Guru Mani Madhava Chakyaar is the youngest and last person to get the Veerashringhala from here.

It was a custom practiced by the Travancore Emperors to offer an elephant to Perumthrikkovilappan before being enthroned.

Ernakulam - At the Metro of Lord Shiva

Ernakulam city, the prosperous erstwhile province of Cochin, is growing at a tremendous pace with the hope of becoming the first metropolis of Kerala, is also home to many deities like Poornatrayeesan, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, Ernakulathappan etc. Ernakulathappan, who dwells in Ernakulam Siva temple, is also called as Rishinagakulathappan in the olden days. The temple faces west towards the vast misty expanses of Kochi lake. Nearby the lakeside, on the eastern side of the road, one could see the temple gateway that opens to a sprawling sandy plain of around two acres. The golden thazhikakudam atop the Sanctum sanctorum is an insignia that speaks volumes of the royalty of the temple. Chuttambalam, not only is structurally vibrant but also is in tune with the temple's architecture.

The sanctum sanctorum of Ernakulathappan is circular, with bronze-tiled roof, possesses an enticing Shiva Linga. The eastern door of the Ernakulathappan's Sree Kovil is always closed eversince a decree of Viwamangalam Swamiyar. Parvathi devi is said to be present there, hence, litting a lamp before the door is believed to invoke divine favour for women who are not lucky enough to get married.

The legend behind the formation of the temple revolves around a boy named Devalan. Devalan was the favourite disciple of Sage Kulu. Once a poisonous snake had bitten Devalan and as a revenge he tied down it. Sage Kulu saw this and cursed Devalan to become a Nagarshi. Without much delay he turned into Nagarshi and wandered about seeking ways to redeem himself from the curse. He came across the Shiva Linga made by Arjuna during his peanance for Pasupathastra(arrow of shiva) and took it with him.


After praying at temples like Ramanatha temple, he arrived at 'Rishinakulam' or
'Rishinagakulam' - the ancient name of present Ernakulam. Finding that the place is suitable for supplication, Nagarshi placed the Shiva Linga on the ground and offered poojas. However, after some period, due to certain harassments, he decided to leave with the Shiva Linga. On attempting to lift the Linga, quite amazingly, Nagarshi found that it had become fixed to the ground and couldn't be moved. It is this Shiva Linga we see as Kirathamoorthi(Shiva appeared before Arjuna in the attire of Kiratha) on the northern side of the temple.

Devalan peformed his rites here and was redeemed from the curse. He was given a seat in heaven along with the other devas. At his request, Shiva and Parvathy appeared here and at the spot, where the divine couple disappeared, surfaced a Shiva linga. It is this 'Gourisankara roopa' that is seen as 'Swayambhulinga' in the main Sanctum Sanctorum. According to some, the consecration customs were done by Lord Parasurama.

Tantric rights are bestowed upon Chennas and Puliyannoor. The sub-deities of the temple are Sastha, Ganapathy and Nagaraja(Serpent-Gods). Once the temple was under the governance of Cheranalloor Karthas and later on taken over by Kochi Kings. The poojas(daily five) were regularised as directed by the famous Vilwamangalam Swamiyar.

The annual festival usually falls during January/February(corresponding to Makaram month) and is spread over 8 days.


The festivity starts with Kodiyettam(hoisting of the temple flag) on the first day evening. On the seventh day there is Pakalpooram, when the deity is being taken out in procession with caparisoned elephants with Panchavadyam and finally terminating at Durbar Hall Ground after the famous Pandimelam and colourful fire works. On the final day around evening, in a solemn ceremony the flag is lowered and the deity is then taken for the Arattu(holy bath) in the nearby temple tank. After that starts the famous Arattu procession with the accompaniment of Panchavadyam. The procession terminates at Durbar Hall Ground. The grand fireworks then bring the curtain down to this weeklong festival.

During all these days Sheeveli is arranged inside the temple and the best available Chendamelam artists are arranged for this. A variety of cultural programmes are also arranged during these days. Special emphasis is given to promote temple arts like Ottanthuallal, Paatakam, Thayambaka, Kathakali, Classical dances, Classical music concerts, Bhajans etc. Annadanam is also arranged. Thousands of people throng the temple for witnessing these programmes. Watching the Pakalpooram and Arattu processions will be an unforgettable experience for anybody. The adjacent Durbar Hall ground becomes a beehive of activities during the festival.

Devotees who dedicate themselves to the Lord of Kochi with utmost devotion are said to be relieved from their sufferings, leading to ultimate salvation.

Trichur - It's pooram everywhere!

Vadakkumnatha Temple, located at the heart of the cultural capital of Kerala, is revered as the apex of Shiva worship and is undoubtedly the largest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kerala. The temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old and is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture with bewitching murals of the seventeenth century, delineating the story of Mahabharatha pictorially. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. It is believed that this temple was built by Lord Parasurama. Saints like Adi Sankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Karattu Namboothiri etc. had worshipped the 'Lord of the North' aka VADAKKUMNATHAN and this holy place is considered as Dakshina Kailasam(Kailasa of the south). The sprawling Thekkinkadu(erstwhile Teak forest) ground, encircling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the world famous Thrissur Pooram.

The Sree Moolasthanam, where Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi along with the entire Bhoothagana squad appeared before Parasurama, is considered to be near the west gopuram outside the temple wall. A banyan tree has grown in that holy spot over the years and now on its shades, rest idols of serpent-Gods.

Vadakkumnatha temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly nine acres. Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams indicating the four cardinal directions. Apart from these four gopurams, there is a multi-shrined complex in the center with three shrines dedicated to Vadakkumnathan(Lord Shiva), Shankaranarayana(Half shiva and half visnu) and Sri Rama(seventh incarnation of Vishnu).

On the main circular sanctum, Vadakkumnathan faces west. The idol of Shiva consecrated by Parasurama, is now almost invisible and has been covered by an enormous mount of ghee piled up owing to the daily ablution with it over the years. One looking at the sanctum may get a glimpse of a fourteen-feet high stack of ghee having a diameter of about twenty-two feet at bottom, getting thinned with height, embellished with fifteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods. According to the traditional belief, ghee so formed represents the snow-cladded Kailasa, the abode of Paramashiva and Parvathi. Needless to say that the main offering to Vadakkumnathan is Abhisheka with ghee. The sree kovil of Vadakkumnathan consists of three garbhagrihas(rooms) having the idol on the third one. On the outer wall of the Sree Kovil one could see the seductive figure of Mohini Yakshi. Parvathi is also enshrined in a separate garbhagriha on the same Sree Kovil facing east.

The idol of devi is having three-feet height and the main offering is turmeric

powder. On the left side of Vadakkumnathan's shrine, there is another circular sanctum sanctorum with copper-plated roof, comparatively smaller than that of the principal deity, of Shankara Narayana where the idol faces west. The idol made up of Panchaloha(or five metals) is having three feet height.The idol subtly personifies an unusual assemblage of two ideologies, the Vaishnavism and the Saivism.

On the south of Sankara Narayana shrine, one could see another rectangular sanctum sanctorum with copper-plated roof having a four-handed Vishnu idol and is worshipped as Sri Rama. There are mukhamandapams in front of all the three central shrines. Apart from these three important shrines, there is also a shrine of Ganapathi inside the Nalambalam. Vettakkorumakan is also worshipped here on the north side of the Shiva's shrine. Outside the nalambalam, there are shrines for Lord Krishna, Vrishabha, Parasurama, Simhodara, Dharmasastha and Adi Sankaracharya.

Adi Sankara is believed to have been born to the Shivaguru-Aryamba couple of Kalady as an answer to their prayers before Vadakkumnathan. Adi Sankaracharya is believed as an incarnation of Vadakkumnathan. Legend has it that Shiva appeared to both husband and wife in their dreams, and offered them a choice - a mediocre son who would live a long life, or an extremely intelligent son who would not live long. Both Shivaguru and Aryamba chose the latter. Thus Shankara was born. The murals in the temple are known for its rarity and two of them, Vasukishayana and Natarajamoorthy, are even worshipped regularly. A fairly-large white bull on the Nalambalam is worshipped as Nandikeswara. In the temple quadrangle, there are specified holy spots where the devotees can offer their salutations to Viswanathan(Lord Shiva of Varanasi), Lord Chidambaranathan of Chidambaram, Lord Sethunathan of Rameswara, Sree Kali of Kodungallur, Urakam Ammathiruvadi(for Kanchi Kamakshi), Lord Sangamesha of Koodalmanickam at Irinjalakuda, Sree Vyasa(A stone laid at the foot of the banyan tree in the East), Sree Hanuman, Sudarshana Chakra, Panchajanya conch and serpent-Gods.

The traditional way of circumventing the temple follows a specific pattern which is quite unique and was formulated by none other than Lord Parasurama himself. A very popular hymn, that specifies and summarizes the strange pattern, is always on circulation and each devotee should read that before attempting to worship at Vadakkumnatha temple. The temple theatre, known as Koothambalam made by Uliyannoor Perumthachan, where shadows of the artists won't fall, has no parallel to cite anywhere else in the world. It is considered as an architectural wonder. The four magnificent gigantic gateways(gopurams) and the lofty masonry wall around the temple quadrangle are imposing pieces of adept craftsmanship and superior skill.

Lord Ganesh in the temple is positioned facing the temple kitchen(thidapilly) and offering of Appam (a sweetened eatery) to Mahaganapathy is one of the most important offerings at Vadakkumnathan temple. Propitiating Ganapathy here is believed to remove all the obstacles facing by the devotee. The devotees revere elephants as pratyaksha Ganapathy(visible visghneswara) here and it has been the regular annual practice at the Vadakkumnathan temple for the last 20 years to conduct a large-scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana(Homam) and Aanayoottu (ceremonial feeding of elephants) on the 1st day of Karkidakom month. Gajapooja is conducted once in four years.

The temple neither have an Oottupura nor a flag-mast. Even the temple doesn't have a festival of its own. Although Trichur pooram is celebrated in the temple compund, it is not considered as the festival of the Vadakkumnatha temple. The temple opens at 3.00 in the morning and closes about 10.30 after the morning rites. For the evening worship it opens at 4.00 and closes at 8.30 at night after trippuka, the last rite for the day.

The festival of festivals - Trichur pooram

According to the statistics, there are around 10,000 temples in Kerala and each one of them observes a major festival annually. Local tastes and convenience normally dictate these festivals but transcending local barriers is the Thrissur Pooram, which attracts thousands of people from far and near. Trichur pooram, although celebrated in Trichur, irrefutably, is the pooram of all Keralites. Since the word pooram literally means a rendezvous, it is believed that every year the dynastic Gods and Goddesses of neighboring provinces met together for a day of celebrations.

Trichur Pooram, the Pooram of all Poorams, is the most spectacular festival of the cultural capital celebrated at the Vadakkumnathan temple surroundings every year during April-May. Kerala’s grandest temple pageantry includes colourful processions of caparisoned elephants, a night long display of fireworks, parasol exchanges, drum concerts and pyro-techniques which can be witnessed even from the crowded streets of Trichur. Trichur Pooram, the mother of all temple festivals of the state, is easily one of the soul-catching spectacles. The two major devaswoms, Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu, explore and exploit every source at their command to make this annual festival a memorable one. During the festival season, Trichur, popularly known as the temple-town, turns into a place of color, music and mirth. The Pooram extending about 36 hours begins with the Ezhunellippu of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning followed by the Ezhunnellippu from the other six minor temples.

The Ezhunnellippu, which is considered to be a ritual symbolising the visit of the Paramekkavu Devi(Bhagavathi from the East) and Thiruvambadi Devi(Bhagavathi from the North) to the Vadakkumnathan temple. The goddess, Paramekkavu Devi, is said to be Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi (Mandhachaleswari), who followed Appattu Kuruppal, an ardent devotee of Parasakthi. He did penance for 41 days at Thirumandhamkunnu Temple and devi appeared before him. He begged devi to be a part of his native place, Trichur. Devi granted the wish and on his way back, devi followed him.

When they reached near Vadakumnatha Temple, devi decided to reside near her father(Vadakumnathan) under an Elanji tree which stood on the Thekinkadu(erstwhile Teak forest) ground. Devi was later transferred to Paramekkavu near Vadakumnatha Temple, which is now known widely as Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple. Elanji continues to be the sacred tree of the temple. The legend also says that Paramekkavu Bhagwathy has an elder sister in Thiruvambadi, the Devi worshipped at the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple. Vadakkumnathan, as told earlier, takes only the role of a spectator in Trichur Pooram.

A major event of the Pooram festival is the 'Pancharimelam' in which numerous artists from the disciplines of Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka participate. Another major event of the pooram begins with the setting off of the ‘Pandimelam’ at noon in which about 200 artists in the disciplines of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal participate. The grand finale of this festival of colour, music and fire works would be marked with a function of bidding farewell to the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams in front of the western Gate of the Vadakumnathan Temple. A noteworthy feature of the pooram festival is the participation of a cross section of people and elephants. The pachyderms emerge out in all their regalia with newly fabricated caparisons. They make their way through the crushing crowds drawn from all religions, castes and creed to the accompaniment of ecstatic percussion ensembles. The spectacular show of ‘Kudamattom’ in which parasols of myriad numbers, designs and colours are exchanged by the people atop the elephants. The pooram festival is concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks, which is held in the wee hours of the day after the Pooram.

The Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms competitively present a lot of innovative patterns and varieties of fire works which make spectators going into raptures. This spell-binding display of fireworks add to the popularity of the Pooram festival.

The festival is credited to Sakthan Thamburan, Raja of Cochin, who ruled over the region with Thrissur as the capital in 1790 AD. Prior to his reign, Pooram was held in Arattapuzha, 15 km away. It was held on a grand scale at this place hosting 108 deities. Now Arattupuzha pooram will come second to Trichur Pooram in grandeur.

The most striking feature of the Trichur Pooram is its very secular nature. The Muslim and Christian Communities actively take part in it and they play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival. Most of the pandals are the craft work of the experts from the Muslim community.

Alwaye - Nada Thurappu festival at Thiruvairanikkulam

Thiruvairanikkulam temple is located in Alwaye, in the district of Ernakulam and the presiding deity is Lord Shiva who resides facing east in the sanctum. Just behind Mahadeva resides Goddess Parvathi. Seldom we come across a temple like this with a variety of customs and traditional tenets which is quite different from the ones that are followed by other saivite pantheons.

In front of the Mandapa(raised platform) of Lord Mahadeva's Sreekovil (sanctum), the Rishabam (bull aka Nandi who serves as the holy vehicle of the Lord) prostrates, facing his master. In the lawn nearby, Lord Ganapathi (Vigneswara) is also seen, facing east. Outside the Sreekovil, within the walls of the temple, we could see many sub-deities. To the east, Lord Dharmasastha (Lord Ayyappa) and Lord Mahavishnu; to the west one could see the Sreekovil of Goddess Sati devi and Durga.

Four poojas including one nivedyam are performed in honour of Lord Shiva. Other deities including Rishabham are honored with one nivedyam. The Rishabham, unlike in other temples, cannot be touched by devotees or even by the Kazhakas(one who maintains the temple surroundings). Only Thantris or Brahmins are permitted to do so. If touched by any one else, a cleansing ceremony(punyaham) has to be performed.

Sree Parvathi's idol has unusual significance. The Sreekovil here is open only 12 days a year, in the month of Dhanu from the auspicious Thiruvathira(birthday of Lord Mahadeva). During these days, needless to say, huge crowds flock from across the states to the shrine. The legend has it that any hindrance to marriage, family welfare or prosperity could be washed away by a visit to the temple.

There is a certain relation between the history of Akavoor Mana and the temple formation. Akavoor Manaparambu (the land of Akavur Mana) lies in the Airanikulam village. Brahmins of the Mana were regarded as rulers during that period. Years later, a conflict erupted in the family and a section of them moved to Vellarapilly village. But the Brahmins often visited Lord Mahadeva, known as Airanikulathappan(of Airanikulam Mahadeva temple, Mukundapuram) and Sree Parvathi. It is during this period that Akavoor Chathan came to the Mana as a dependent. Seeing one of the Brahmins desiring to visit the Mahadeva Temple, Akvoor Chathan made a boat of granite and used it to transport the Brahmin to the temple. Years went by and the Brahmin grew old.


One day, after his prayers at the temple, he cried to Mahadeva,"Oh my Lord! I have grown too old to come and see you. What shall I do now?" Soon he started his way back home. He lifted his Olakuda (an umbrella made of palm-leaf), and found it heavier than it really was, and he told Akavoor Chathan about this experience. But Akavoor chathan did not speak a word. Travelling on the boat, Brahmin had the call of nature. Akavoor Chathan immediately moved the boat to a nearby land. Then he took his umbrella and to his surprise it seemed very light now. Then also Akavoor told the Brahmin not to worry about it. After reaching the Manakkal land, the Brahmin got out of the boat and Akavoor Chathan overturned the boat so that it rested on the mud. Even today one see a granite stone there lying upside down. It came to be known as Chathan Stone.

The place mentioned above is where the Thiruvairanikkulam Temple is situated. Earlier it used to be a forest, Pulaya women (women of low caste) used to go there to cleanse the forest. Once, one of the women happened to use the granite stone to sharpen her sickle. All of a sudden, blood started squirting out of the stone and this Pulaya woman lost her mental balance and ran amok. It is said that she ran nearly three kilometers in a frenzy. All the land through which she ran was handed over to the temple authorities by the respective owners. The area is called Varanattu Madam. During the temple festival the poojas are first performed here. The main Irakki pooja is offered only at the temple and in this place. Nowhere else is this pooja offered. This indicates the concern Lord Mahadeva has for Varanattu Madam.

Akavoor Chathan narrated the entire incident to the Brahmin. It was indeed Airanikulathappan who had appeared in the form of a stone. The temple was built and the deity was installed. The deity installation was done by Punalloor Brahmins. But the two families never used to visit the other family temple. As per this legend, Akavoor Manakkal Brahmin and Akavoor Chathan are considered to be behind the temple formation.

When the Brahmin put the umbrella down, Lord Mahadeva who was sitting on the top of it, stepped down and traveled underground to reach first the well and then made for the place where he appeared as Swayambhoo (self born). This is the main reason why we see a relationship between Mahadeva and the well. It is believed that if the holiness of the well is defiled, Mahadeva too is defiled by such an act. To the south of the temple well, one can see a cave that is believed to be the way through which Mahadeva appeared. The Arattu is also done by the banks of the river where Mahadeva stepped down from the umbrella.

Formerly, it was believed that Goddess Parvathi used to prepare food for Lord Mahadeva in the Thidappilli(temple kitchen) when everyone clears the place. However, once one of the Brahmins set out to find the secret. Seeing the Goddess in her full attire, he made some noise out of amazement. Goddess Parvathi saw him and grew angry with him. She said, "As you have deviated from your usual ways of carrying out the rituals, I am leaving". The Brahmin could not stand it. He cried out and implored the Goddess for mercy. The Goddess said, "From now on, I will make my presence felt only from the twelve days beginning from the Thiruvathira, in the month of Dhanu, which is considered as Lord Mahadeva's birthday. The devotees who come to see me on these days will be blessed". It is on this legendary epistle, that the Sreekovil of Goddess Parvathi remains closed. Unlike in other temples the idol of Parvathi here is not offered with Jalabhishekam(a pooja in which water is poured over the Idol). Turmeric powder(Manjal) is used instead of water.

The Sreekovil opens at 4.30 am every day for the morning pooja. The Sreekovil closes after the morning pooja at 10.00 am. It opens again at 5.00 pm, and after Athazha pooja, it closes by 7.30 pm. During Pradosham days (evening of the 13th phase of the moon, 90 minutes before and after sunset) it is considered auspicious for worshipping Siva in all Saivite temples and then thousands congregate for worship and the door of the Sreekovil opens by 5.00 pm for special poojas too.

The temple celebrates an eight-day festival during the month of Kumbha, during Thiruvathira which concludes with an Aarattu. It can be said that no temple in Kerala has such a good and splendid ceremony. There is another ritual of vital importance in the temple. Before the opening of the Sreekovil of Devi Parvathi, the ornaments to be worn by the Goddess are carried from the Akavoor Mana in a colorful procession. People from different quarters of the state, the devotees and the members of the Mana join the procession. It has been said that all those women carrying the 'thalam' (platter) and showering flowers as the procession moves on will be blessed by the Goddess with happy marriage.

Kandiyoor - Shiva worshipped by the Kayamkulam Raja

Kandiyoor Mahadevar Temple is located one Kilometre west of Mavelikkara town along the north side of the main road. It is one of the biggest temples in Central Travancore as well as in Kerala. This centuries-old temple, built by Cheraman Perumal Nayanar Rajasekhara Varman in AD 823, is unique in archeological features. Kandiyoorappan, the principal deity, faces east inside a two-tired Sanctum.

Apart from this, one can see another five shiva shrines in this temple. Thus by worshipping the six shiva idols of the temple, one is assured of attaining the salvation. It is believed that 108 deities of the Hindu mythology are present in the temple environs. Moreover, the temple had been a silent spectator of many cultural as well as historical events that happened in Kerala.

According to the myths, Saint Mrukandu, father of Markandeya, worshipped a Shiva Linga which he brought from River Ganges. He consecrated it at Kandiyur. Shiva is worshipped here as Dakshinamurthy in the morning, Uma Maheswara at noon and as Kirathamurthy in the evening.

The other five shiva idols are considered as Shankara(doer of good deeds), Neelakanta(one with blue throat), Mrutyunjaya(one who eliminates death), Viswanatha(Lord of the universe) and Parvatheesha(Lord of parvathy). Sub deities of the temple are Ganapathy, Vishnu, Ayyappa, Goshala Krishna, Subrahmanya, Annapoorna and Snake-Gods. Infrontof the sanctum of the principal deity, a platform is set for the devotee to stand and worship Kandiyoorappa. This is not a part of Kerala's traditional style but of Hoysala style of architecture. Standing on it, one will feel the entire cosmos just shrank into deity and the devotee.The surrounding wall of the temple is in the Gajaprishta(back of the elephant) style of architecture and is believed that Bhoothganas of Lord Shiva took only a single night to construct it.

One is blessed with Knowledge if he worships at Kandiyur in the morning, at noon with post-marital bliss and with removal of obstacles in the evening. Sree Sankaran will bless you with knowledge, Sree Kanta will destroy all your sins, Mrutyunjaya will vanquish death, Viswanathan gives you peace and Parvatheesa gives a joyful life with your partner. If one could see the top of six siva shrines at the same time, it is considered equal to the pilgrimage to holy Kailasa. It is said as Sadashiva Darshanam. For people who cannot go to Vaikom on the Ashtami day can pray at Kandiyoor and as per the myths, both are equally effective.

According to the historians, the temple was of Odanadu(land of bamboo trees) King which later was captured by Kayamkulam Thampuran. The temple was also ruled by Madathumcore King of Mavelikkara. After defeating Kayamkulam Raja, Marthanda Varma grabbed power to rule the temple. When there was a war between Venadu and Kayamkulam, Kayamkulam King entered the temple, prayed his last and escaped through the west door. The door closed by him is never opened till this day. There is an Era in the name 'Kandiyoorabdam' from the formation of the temple. Tantric rights of the temple are bestowed upon Tarananellore. The main festival is celebrated on the Thiruvathira, which falls on in the month of Dhanu. A golden flagstaff adds to the beauty of the temple. Yama pooja on the Shivaratri day is also considered auspicious. Anthi pooja is the main offering at this temple.