Sundareswara Temple

Kerala, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram

Inspired by the ideals of the Guru, Varathur Kaniyil Kunhikannan took the initiative with his friends namely Choyi Butler, Kariyan Govindan Gurukkal, Manikkoth Govindan Bhagavathar, Chamakkali Kannan Mestri, Poovadan Krishnan, Chandroth Anandan Mesthri, Oyitti Krishnan Vakkeel etc. to form Sree Bhakthi Samvardhini Yogam to make a temple for the down-trodden sections of Kannur district. The Sundareswara Temple was built on the directions of Narayana Guru

Legend

Except consecrating the idol, Sri Narayana Guru did not have any of his activities in Kannur. In fact he had once said that the life standards of Thiyyars of North Malabar are good and they need not have his service here. But on the persistent request of Thiyyars he agreed to come to Kannur and consecrated the idol. The Sundareswara Temple follows Brahminical way of worship though the poojari is Ezhava, which is distinct from the inherited way of worship of Thiyyars. Vayanattukulavan is the kuladeivam of Thiyyars and Muthappan is the Kuladevatha.

Architecture

The designs of the Sundareswara Temple were made by Sri Chaithanyaall swami. Sree Narayana guru named the Shiva as Sree Sundereshwara by saying that all the people are beautiful, the place is beautiful thus named Lord Shiva as Sree Sunderehwara in this temple. This temple was built on March 16 in the year 1916.