Udiyannoor - Devi on the banks of Killiyaar

Sri Udiyannoor Devi temple, one of the ancient temples in Kerala, is situated on the banks of Killiyar(Killi River) at north-eastern part of Thiruvananthapuram city called Maruthamkuzhy, at a distance of 5 km from KSRTC Central station as well as Trivandrum Central Railway station and 13 km from Trivandrum International Airport.

The temple is about 1300 years old. The temple complex contains structures having architectural excellence. Within the sanctum sanctorum, which faces north, is the glorious Chathurbahu idol of the deity, worshiped as supreme mother, resplendent with four arms and with an effulgent face depicting motherly affection. This idol is a combination of 'Shaiva' and 'Vaishnava' features and it is evident from the weapons in the four hands. The hands are depicted as having Sankh, Conch, Trident and Crescent Sword.

According to the lores, the origin of the temple is that there is a devotee named Neelakandan belonging to Udiyannoor family in Vattiyoorkonam,Thiruvananthapuram. Later he shifted his house to Maruthamkuzhi and completed his education under Kesarapurathu Aasan belonging to Pallichandra family. At that time, Neelakandan's family Goddess Sri Bhadrakali came to his dream and said that he will get an idol from the water, during the rainy season from the Killi river and he must take it and worship that idol. The same thing happened during the rainy season. By seeing the idol, he jumped into the water. He captured the idol, but along with the idol, he disappeared into the flood. Everybody thought he was dead. By knowing this incident, Kesavapurathu Aasan came to the place and committed pooja with red flowers. He returned back to home after 7 days by surprising everyone. He kept the idol in a box made of jack tree covered with dhothis and silk. He made archana with flowers. He gave tender coconut, bananas and rice as nivedhyam to devi. Nelakandan’s mother made the "Ada" and dedicated it to devi. Later this Ada became famous as Udiyannoor Ada. With the advice of his mother and Guru, the poojas were done by Neelakandan.

No soon later, the idol is installed on a stone (Kallara) near his house. Later, Neelakandan became a famous moth because of his belief in devi. There after he became famous as Sri Neelakanda paramahamsa sathguru. The place where he worshiped the idol is now known as Mudipura. At that time Neelakandan and his mother moved his family house to Vattiyoorkkonam. For the poojas, he came to the temple from Vattiyoorkkonam. Later Sree Neelakandaparamahamsar became Yogeeswaran. After fulfilling his ambition in life, he dedicated his life to devi.

There is a Thekkathu behind the Mudipura. Later it is named as Yogeeswaran temple. After the death of Yogeeswaran, the poojas were handled by his family members. The temple is having a golden flag mast and sub-deities of the temple are Lord Ganapathy, Lord Sastha, Madan thamburan, Yogeeswaran and Serpent Gods.

Kalamezhuthu and Paattu, Kuruthi Tharpanam, Udyasthamana Pooja, Muzhukkappu, Mahaganapathi homom, Ada Vazhipadu, Mrutyunjaya homom, Kumkumabhishekam, Swayamvarachana, Sree Sooktham, Archana, Neeranjanam, Noorum Palum, Rahukala pooja, Aiswarya Pooja, Samooharchana, Nagar Pooja etc. are the important offerings of the temple.

Meda Punartha Pongala festival is the major festival celebrated in this temple. Once in every 3 year on the Malayalam month Meenam/Medam, Ooruttu festival is also conducted.