Thodeekalam Shiva Temple is an ancient temple in Kannoth in Kannur district which is over 2000 years old and is famous for its murals. The temple is declared as protected monument in 1993 by the State Archaeology Department. It is strongly associated with Pazhassi Raja family of Kottayam.
Sanctum sanctorum walls are decorated with more than 150 murals in an area of 700 sq ft. These murals displays Shaiva and Vaishnava themes, village life in the 16th - 18th centuries and scenes like Rugmini Swayamvaram and Ravana Vadham.
An interesting myth has been associated with the establishment of the temple. As per the popular legend, many years ago, astrologers predicted about the son of a Brahmin that he will die at the age of 16 due to biting of a snake. For the solution, the parents start praying for his life at Vaidyanatha Temple at Kanjirangad near Thaliparamba in Kannur district. On the 16th birthday of the child, he gets a dream that in order to save his life, he should take shelter at the Thodeekalam Shiva Temple. Family follows the instructions of the dream and moves towards the temple. After having the lunch, the child goes to the pond opposite to the temple for washing his hands. A big snake comes from a hill near by the temple and follows the child. He runs towards the temple being frightened and embraces the idol kept inside. A small snake comes out and kills the big snake. The boy’s parents follow the small snake, which enters into a hole and disappears. Afterwards, they bought the lands around and present it to the temple.
The temple is having a double storeyed sanctum built in a rectangular shape. An outer Chuttambalam and an incomplete Namaskara mandapam opposite to the main shrine completes the whole structure of the temple. It comprises of around 150 mural paintings divided into 40 panels, sketched on the four walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Most of the paintings portray the myths related to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Various tales of Hindu epics like Rugmini Swayamvaram and Ravana Vadham are drawn on these paintings. On the temple front, there is no flag post. On the days of 'Sapthami' and 'Ashtami' in the Malayalam month of Vrishika, and on Shivarathri, festivites are organized.
The temple is still in a very bad stage. There is not enough fund to protect the remaining beautiful mural paintings.
Sri. Nandiar Valli Namboodiripad is the Thantri of this temple. The main offerings of this temples are ‘Shankabhishekam’, ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Sarpabali’ and ‘Dhara’.
