Sri Akhileswara temple is situated in Ayalur Village of Palakkad District and is more than 1000 years old. It is believed that the Shiva Linga in this temple was installed by Demon Khara (It is similar to the mythology existed which led to the construction of the famous temples like Vaikom, Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthi, the abode of three sacred Shiva Lingas, which are believed to be consecrated by Khara in the same manner, which I have already posted on the same blog years back.
Khara got three Shiva lingas, after his prolonged worship at the famous Chidambaram Temple (where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Nataraja disposition as Lord Chidambaranathan), which is considered as the apex of Shiva worship in South India. He carried these Lingas one in his right hand, second in left hand and third one on his mouth by biting with his teeth. He installed the Linga on his right hand at Ayalur, Linga on his left hand in Pallavur and the third one in Thrippalore. All these temples are situated within five kilometers. The temple was managed by Namboodiris and Namboodiri women used to watch the procession from the first floor of front side of the temple many years back. The bottom portion is called Bhajana Mandapa which is later handed over to Maharaja of Cochin.
Khara got three Shiva lingas, after his prolonged worship at the famous Chidambaram Temple (where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Nataraja disposition as Lord Chidambaranathan), which is considered as the apex of Shiva worship in South India. He carried these Lingas one in his right hand, second in left hand and third one on his mouth by biting with his teeth. He installed the Linga on his right hand at Ayalur, Linga on his left hand in Pallavur and the third one in Thrippalore. All these temples are situated within five kilometers. The temple was managed by Namboodiris and Namboodiri women used to watch the procession from the first floor of front side of the temple many years back. The bottom portion is called Bhajana Mandapa which is later handed over to Maharaja of Cochin.
Initially temple roof was only covered by palm leaves. After a fire accident, the temple was renovated and roof was covered with tiles. It was told that this work was done about 150 years back. In olden days, priests in this temple used to stay in the temple premises itself (top floor of the Gopuram) to observe Brahmacharya. Now this temple is under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board. All festivals in this temple are being conducted by Ayalur Grama Jana Samithi.
Main festival of this temple is the famous Car Festival on Thiruvathira day of malayalam month, Dhanu. Till this day, this felstival is being conducted by Ayalur Grama Jana Samithi. Earlier days, these festivals were conducted from the income of agriculture from the Lord Parathasarathy temple land.
When Lord Akhileswara temple was under the control of Maharaja of Cochin some major stalwarts of Ayalur Grama met Maharaja and requested him to provide a piece of land for the construction of Sree Krishna Temple within the complex of Lord Akhileswara temple. Maharaja of Cochin has kindly conceded their request and allotted a small of piece of land on the corner of north west side where Lord Parthasarathy temple is now situated. This temple is about 500 years old.
It is not known when the Lord Mahaganapathi was installed under the Peepal tree on river side. When this idol was taken away by some miscreants in 1991, Ayalur Grama Jana has installed one new idol, Valampiri Ganapathi, in this place and conducted Maha Kumbabishekam in March 1995 and also arranged daily pooja.
Now the renovation of these temples were carried out by the efforts taken by the Kumbabisheka Committee through sponsors. After the renovation, Maha Kumbabishekam was held in Maha Ganapathy Temple and in Akhileswara/Parthasarathy temples, through the offerings received from the people of Ayalur village.
Now the renovation of these temples were carried out by the efforts taken by the Kumbabisheka Committee through sponsors. After the renovation, Maha Kumbabishekam was held in Maha Ganapathy Temple and in Akhileswara/Parthasarathy temples, through the offerings received from the people of Ayalur village.
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