Situated in Ernakulam, Kerala, Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple is one of the ancient temples of Kerala dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The Thiruvairanikulam temple is also known as the Sabarimala of woman. The temple doors of  Goddess Parvathi is opened only for 12 days in the month of December-January (once in a year).

Location Kerala, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

The history of the temple is related to that of Akavoor Mana, one of the owners of the land there. The Airanikulam village was under the rule of Akavoor Mana at that period. One of the members of the family was an ardent devotee of Airanikulam Mahadeva. But when he became old and was not able to travel, Akavoor Chathan, one of the twelve in the legendary Parayi Petta Pantheerukulam and who was then associated with Akavur Mana, made a boat out light granite. They both went to the temple. On their return to Mana after praying at the temple, the Brahmin felt that his umbrella was heavier than usual. However, the umbrella lost its weight when he stopped en route to relieve himself after setting the umbrella down. Later a woman who tried sharpen her knife for cutting grass found that the stone she scraped the tool against started bleeding. Akavur Chathan told to Brahmin all about how Lord Mahadeva travelled on the top of the old Brahmin's umbrella and settled down at the place where he took a break in journey. It was indeed Airanikulathappan who had appeared in the form of a stone. As Lord Mahadeva came from Airanikkulathappan, this temple came to be known as Thiruvairanikkulam. On seeing the stone bleeding, the woman got scared and ran around screaming aloud. The area covered by her was given to the temple authorities when Thiruvairanikulam temple was installed.

Architecture

The temple complex is situated in 40 cents out of the total 1.5 acre area. The structure has got a Sreekovil, namaskara mandapam, sub-shrines, chuttambalam with agra-mandapam, pradakshina vazhi and deepasthambham. The walls of Sreekovil has got wooden vyali (dragon) figurines carved over heads of elephants. There are exquisite wooden carvings depicting episodes from Deva-Asura battles, Devotsava and Nava-grahas are there on the ceiling of Namaskara Mandapam.

Culture

The region is birthplace of legends related to Vedic culture of Kerala, mostly because of it being the birth place of Adi Sankaracharya. Some of the oldest temples in the State are found in regions around River Periyar. Traditional rituals are strictly adhered to in the temple, most of which are still managed by Brahmin families.

Darsan Info

During the 12 festival days when the Sreekovil is open for the public, Goddess Parvathi is bathed in oriental silks, Pattu and Thali and turmeric powder.During the festival, temple will remain open from 4:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Darsan Dresscode

Traditional Kerala attire, with dhoti for men and sarees for women

Temple Rituals

The unique feature Thiruvairanikulam Temple is that the shrine of Lord Shiva is open all round the year; but, the temple of Parvathi is open only for 12 days in a year. The shrine of the Goddess Parvati is opened during the Malayalam month of Dhanu (mid December - mid January), beginning from the Thiruvathira nakshatram, the birthday of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is offered with four pooja services including one Naivedyam. The celestial bull, unlike in other temples, cannot be touched by devotees or even by the Kazhaka (one who maintains the temple surroundings), except by the Thantris or Brahmins who are permitted to do so. A cleansing ceremony is performed if somebody touches the bull.

Special Rituals

During the festival days, Sree Paravathy is offered Swayamvara Archana (pooja performed to remove marriage hurdles), Valkannadi (a unique and expensive type of mirror found only in Kerala), Nelpara, Malarpara, Aripara, Sarkara para, as well a offerings in the form of oil - lamps, Thrimadhuram, Brhminipattu etc.

Additional Info

 

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