Temple

Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kottayam, Kerala. It is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala along with the temples of Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple and Vadakkunathan temple. It is believed that the Pandavas and the Sage Vyasa had worshiped at this temple.

Legend

According to the legends, there lived a demon named Khara. It is believed that Khara got three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva himself. Khara brought them to Kerala, holding one by his teeth and one each in his left and right hands. The Lingam held by his teeth was consecrated in Kaduthuruthi, the one held in his right hand was consecrated in Vaikom and the one held in his left hand was consecrated in Ettumanoor. After consecrating all these three temples in the same day, it is believed that the demon became a deer and was doing service to the Gods. The God in Ettumanoor took the deer in his hand and held it there. Because of that, this place was called Udhruthaina Puram, which translated to Malayalam became Ettumanoor (The place where the deer was lifted).

Architecture

The temple was built in Traditional Kerala style of architecture. The west facing temple here has a circular sanctum covered with a conical copper plated roof crowned with a kalsam. The mukhamandapam in front of the temple bears two images of Nandi, one of stone and another of metal. Although there is no shrine to Parvati, the rear of the sanctum is revered as Parvati's shrine. A rectangular circumambulatory passage surrounds the sanctum. The sanctum bears wood carvings of superior workmanship portraying legends from the Ramayana and the Bhagavata puranam. Also of great workmanship are the murals on the western entrance to the temple; mention must be made of the painting of the dance of Shiva. There are also shrines to Saasta, Ganapati and Dakshinamurthy in the temple. A golden staff, visible from a distance is in front of the shrine. At the entrance to the temple is a large metal lamp - visitors make offerings of oil and the soot that collects from the burning of the oil is believed to have medicinal value.

Darsan Info

Here  Mahadeva(Siva) gives darshan  to his devotees in three bhavas one as Aghora Moorthi, then as Santha swaroopi and third as  Uma Maheshwaran.

Darsan Dresscode

Men should wear Dhotis/Mundu and remove shirts/t-shirts. Women should wear Indian clothing.

Culture

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Temple Rituals

At the entrance to the temple is a large metal lamp; visitors make offerings of oil and the soot that collects from the burning of the oil is believed to have medicinal value. The Thulabharam is one of the important rituals of this temple. People make offerings to God for favours received. On balance, the child or man for whom offerings were promised to God, is weighed against offerings ranging from gold to fruits.

Additional Info