Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple / Sri Mahadevar Temple, Thiruvanchikulam, A Shiva Temple at Sringapuram, Sri Sangameswara - Shiva temple at Koodalmanikyam, Sri Bhagvathy Amman Temple at Kodungalur in Kerala State, India.

                                                                             03, December 2011

On 2^nd December 2011, I had been to Sundarar Padal Petra Malai Nadu Shiva Sthalam in Kerala State. During this visit I had the darshan of Sringapuram Shiva Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman and koodalmanikyam Shiva at Irinjalakuda. All the temples were built in large area with typical Kerala style architecture using wood and mangalore tiles. Both Thiruvanchikulam and Koodalmanikyam temples are under the control of Archaeological Department, since they were built more than 1000 years. During my visit I stayed in the temple’s guest house and charged me only Rs 150.00. For booking of Guest house the temple office may be contacted. The telephone number is 0480- 2812061 ( Advance amount will not be accepted, but over phone can be booked ).

266. THIRUVANCHIKULAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE 

Now this place is called as Thiruvanchikulam. This is the 266^th  Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and only  one sthalam in Malai nadu. 

Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple

Moolavar    : Sri Mahadevar /  Sri Anjaikalatheeswarar

Consort      : Sri Umaiyammai

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east and devotees used to enter through western  entrance, since this is very convenient  from the national high way. The moolavar is very small in height.

It is believed that Lord Shiva lived here along with Parvathi, Karthikeyan and Ganapathy, hence there is no separate sannathi for Devi Parvathy.

HISTORY

Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Cheraman Perumal were close friends. A portion of the temple was built by King Cheraman Perumal who ruled that place with Kodungallur as capital.There is a sannidhi for Sundarar. 

The temple is very old and there are old Malayalam vattezhuthu inscriptions  found on the stone wall. All the deities names were written in Tamil also along with Malayalam.

LEGEND

Parasuraman worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to remove the sin caused by killing his mother. It is believed that Sundarar on white elephant and Cheraman Perumal on a horse went to Kailash from here.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple timings are between 05.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The Temple office can be contacted over Land line 0480- 2812061.

HOW TO REACH

The route,  I followed are given below.

Chennai – irinjalakuda ( By Allepy Express ) – Irinjalakuda - Kodungallur – Thiruvanchikulam by bus – and to the temple by auto – Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple – Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple – Irinjalakuda – Chennai ( Alleppey Express ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

( Entrance Mandapam Pillars are very big )

Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple - Entrance Mandapam Pillars are very big  

( Back side entrance )

                                                    Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple

( Thiruvanchikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple- View of Thiruvilakku with moolavar vimanam )

( Thiruvilakku on the road side )

TEMPLE MAP

SRINGAPURAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE

Srigapuram is very close about a KM from Thiruvanchikulam and the temple is very near to Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple. 

Moolavar : Sri Mahadeva

The Shiva idol in this temple was believed to be installed by sage Rishyashringa and hence the name Sringapuram. This is one of the temples where Shiva is placed without Goddess Parvathi. The prime feature of the temple  is Shiva Idol in a sorrowful mood, after the self immolation of Sakthi during the renowned Dakshayagam. The temple is big and there are no other deities except Ganapathy.

It is believed that the Shiva Linga was installed and worshiped by Rishyashringa. Hence this place is called as Sringapuram. 

KOODALMANIKYAM TEMPLE

Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda is about 3 KM from Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar temple. 

Moolavar : Sri Sangameswara 

The temple is in Irinjalakuda is an ancient temple in Kerala. This the only temple dedicated to Lord Bharata. The temple architecture is known for its marvelous beauty and craftsmanship in wood. The temple has impressive gate way facing east direction and a round shaped sanctum. There is vast temple tank inside the premises. The outer   wall  runs in kilometers.  There is an attractive koothambalam used for art performance. 

Temple website : http://www.koodalmanikyam.com/index.php

( Moolavar vimanam conical shape )

KODUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY AMMAN TEMPLE

This temple complex is very big facing east with entrance on all the four sides. The other name of the temple is Kurumbakavu Temple.

( Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple - Thiruvilakku with entrance )

( Thiruvilakku on the north side view )

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---