Temple

Situated in the heart of Kottayam city, Kerala, Thirunakkara Sree Mahadeva Temple is one of the famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thirunakkara Sree Mahadeva Temple is one among the 108 shiva temples created by Lord Parasurama. The present temple is about 500 years old.

Legend

According to the legends, once upon a time Kottayam was ruled by Thekkumkoor kings. One of the King from the Thekkumkoor dynasty was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and used to visit the Vadakkunathan temple at Trichur every month. Many years passed, and the king could not undertake the journey due to old age. The king was very sad that he cannot see the Lord. Later, the King had a dream of Lord Shiva, telling him to not worry and the Lord would accompany the King to Kottayam. According to the legends, the King happened to meet a Brahmin priest in Vaikom belonging to the Pereparambu family. The Brahmin accompanied the king to Kottayam.  The Brahmin was able to recover a Shiva Linga in a place called Samiyar Madam. According to the advice of the Brahmin, the king built a temple for this Linga.

Architecture

The traditional Kerala architecture of the temple attracts a lot of visitors. The koothambalam, the traditional theatre of the temple, where performances of various traditional art and dance forms are held is famed for its architecture. Murals depicting stories from the epics adorn the walls of the temple.

Darsan Info

Besides Lord Siva (Mahadevar), a number of sub-shrines for sub-deities are there. On the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum, is the sub-shrine for Lord Mahaganapathy, and to the west of it is the sub-shrine for Shasthavu (Lord Ayyappa). Further, towards the south-west corner is situated the platform (thara) where a number of Nagas are positioned. On the north-west corner of sanctum sanctorum the sub-shrine for Lord Subramanya is situated and in front of it - towards the northern side of sanctum sanctorum - is the sub-shrine for Lord Siva, who is worshipped as Lord Vadakkumnathan of Thrissur. In front of the sub-shrine for Vadakkumnathan is the sub-shrine for Bhagavathy, who is worshipped as Lakshmi as well as Saraswathi, and towards east of it (north-east corner to the main shrine) is the sub-shrine for Brhmarakshas.

Darsan Dresscode

Culture

The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts of India and abroad. It has got a pre- historic genesis, but constant exposure to other cultures has instilled a cosmopolitan nature to it. Kerala welcomes and respects other cultures and assimilates good elements into its structure. It keeps a unique identity among other South Indian cultures. Kottayam also has a distinct Syrian Christian culture in its bearing.

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Temple Rituals

The temple opens 4.00 am. every day for the morning session of poojas and darshan and closes at 11.00 am., and at 5.00 pm for the evening session of poojas and darshan and closes at 8.00 pm. The main poojas performed daily are: Ushapooja, Ethruthupooja, Pantheeradi (Navakom), Uchapooja and Athazhapooja.

Special Rituals

The Pakal Pooram here, which was started in 2008, is modelled on Thrissur Pooram. The Pooram celebrated during the main festival (Painkuni) with great fanfare is as much as spectacular and dazzling as the Thrissur Pooram itself and it has become the most attractive cultural event performed in the Temple. The parading of caparisoned elephants (eleven each on either side), displaying of colourful parasols (muthukkuda) on top of the elephants by each side in a competitive spirit and the drum beating (chendamelam) are the main components of the Pooram.

Additional Info