The Aghora Shiva temple, an ancient among the temples of Kozhikode district, is located one km north east of Koyilandi municipal town in Panathalayani village. Aghora is the fiercest disposition of Lord Shiva as worshipped by Aghori sect. Aghora is also one of the five major dispoitions (as seen in five faced Sadashiva) of Lord Shiva, viz., Sadyojata(West face), Vamadeva(North face), Aghora(South face), Tatpurasha (East face), Eesana(Skyward face).
Aghora is the destructive aspect of Lord Shiva. He is often depicted as the 'Keeper of burial and cremation grounds' and is associated with death. He is said to devour life and make way for new creation or regeneration. If we stand facing east, south is our right. Hence right side is called as 'Bala'. As important as right hand is for humans, The South face is important to Lord Shiva. This is also famously known as Dakshina Moorthy.
To know about the essence of the Aghora principle of Lord Shiva, one has to understand the meaning of the Aghora Mantra (hymn) among the Pancha Brahma Mantra.
According to Aghoris, there is no such thing called inauspicious in this world because all that exists is Shiva himself. They generally nude and live in graveyards. They use those things which the world has branded as inauspicious. They perform harsh penance. Those who worship Aghora form of Shiva are saved from natural catastrophe, water hardships and life threats.
This Aghora aspect is correlated with the following;
To “Ma” Beekakshara in Panchakshara Mantra
To “Prana Maya Kosha” amongst the five Koshas
To “Jala” principle among five principles “Pancha Bhuta”
To “Svadhishthana Chakra” among Six Chakras
To “Madhyama (Ma)” Swara among the Seven Swaras
To “U” in 'Omkara'.
It is believed that the consecration of the idol was done by Lord Parasurama. The concept of the idol is that of Lord Siva after killing Daksha and hence fierce in nature. Sri Sankaracharya worshipped did penance here. Kodungallur Kunhikuttan Thampuran had also worshipped the deity of the temple. This is one of the three temples where Othootu is performed. Krishnanattam, which is rarely staged in Shiva temples, is used to stage here. The temple administration was controlled by Kurumbranad Raja in ancient period. Later it was looked after Kaliyamathu tharavadu.
Lord Shiva in the disposition of Aghoramoorthy is worshipped as the principal deity. Lord Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Lord Sri Krishna are the other sub-deities worshipped here. The idols of Uma-Maheswara and Dakshinamoorthy in the form of shila-linga are also consecrated in the temple.
The temple celebrates annual festival ending on Shivarathri day and is the main festival. Navarathri is also celebrated here. In 1992 the temple was transferred to HR&CE department and now it is under Malabar Devaswom Board.
'Mahadevam Mahatmanam
Maha Paataka Nashanam
Maha Paapa Haram Vande
Makaaraaya Namo Namaha'
अघोरेभ्योऽथ घोरेभ्यो अघोरघोरेतरेभ्यः।
सर्वतः शर्वः सर्वेभ्यो नमस्ते रुद्र रूपेभ्यः॥
I bow to those not terrible and those who are terrible,
And to those who are both terrible and not terrible.
Everywhere and always, Śarva, I bow to all Thy Rudra forms.
अघोरेभ्योऽथ घोरेभ्यो अघोरघोरेतरेभ्यः।
सर्वतः शर्वः सर्वेभ्यो नमस्ते रुद्र रूपेभ्यः॥
I bow to those not terrible and those who are terrible,
And to those who are both terrible and not terrible.
Everywhere and always, Śarva, I bow to all Thy Rudra forms.
