Kattussery village, in Palakkad district forms a part of Alathur taluk and it lies between Vanoor and Puthiyankam villages and is the location of one of the famous Shiva temples of Kerala, the Trippalur Lord Shiva temple which is one of the 101 Shiva temples held sacred by Shaivaites that still upholds its old splendour.
Identical to the three famous and important Lord Shiva temples of
Central Kerala, which are Vaikom, Kaduthuruthi and Ettumanoor, there are
three temples in North Kerala also, which are Pallavur, Ayalur and
Thripallur. The similarities and importance are due to multiple factors
like the installation of the Shiva Lingas, the method of worship and the
uniqueness of combining the worship in these three temples on the same
day.
The legend behind Trippalur temple is that Demon Khara, brother of Thadaka, did the installation of the Lord here, as ordained by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that Khara installed three Shiva Lingas, which he carried from Chidambaram and the Shiva Linga at Thrippalur was installed with his legs whose original name was Trippadaoor (place of holy feet) which with colloquial use later became Trippalur. Subsequently, Khara also consecrated Shiva Linga at Ayalur with his hands. Thereafter, he consecrated the third Shiva Linga at Pallavoor with his teeth. Some also said that it is the Shiva Linga in Khara's right hand is seen at Thrippallavoor, in left hand at Ayalur and one he held in the mouth at Thrippallur.
The legend behind Trippalur temple is that Demon Khara, brother of Thadaka, did the installation of the Lord here, as ordained by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that Khara installed three Shiva Lingas, which he carried from Chidambaram and the Shiva Linga at Thrippalur was installed with his legs whose original name was Trippadaoor (place of holy feet) which with colloquial use later became Trippalur. Subsequently, Khara also consecrated Shiva Linga at Ayalur with his hands. Thereafter, he consecrated the third Shiva Linga at Pallavoor with his teeth. Some also said that it is the Shiva Linga in Khara's right hand is seen at Thrippallavoor, in left hand at Ayalur and one he held in the mouth at Thrippallur.
The temple is on the banks of the Gayathri river and is such an enticing view for any person who comes to this holy place. It is also famous for Karkidaka Vavu Bali as hundreds will flock to the temple to offer Bali on the banks of the Gayathri river.
Lord Shiva faces East in the three storeyed ancient Sanctum. Lord Narasimha and Lord Sreekrishnan are the other deities worshipped in this temple. Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subrahmanya are also worshipped in the temple and hence is considered as one of the major shrines in Kerala.
Thulavavu (Deepavali) is the main festival of the temple and is commonly called as 'Deepavali Vavutsavam' and is similar to the Navaratri festival of Thrippallavoor temple.
