Information of Avittathur Siva Temple (Mahadeva Temple), Thrissur, Kerala

Avittathur Siva Temple or the Avittathur Siva Kshetram is a beautiful ancient Hindu shrine situated in the scenic village of Irinjalakuda. Here the Lord Shiva is worshiped as the primary deity. This in a typical Hindu temple and has long standing ancient history, architecture and religious values in it. This temple has the ancient scripts on its walls and roofs which show this temple is more than two thousand years old. This temple is maintained by the local committee formed in the name of Sivakshethra Samithi since 1985. Previously this temple was owned by the princely class and was their tutelary deity. This temple is divinely located in the palm grove village of gods own country near Avittathoor P.O, Irinjakauda Town, Thrissur District of Kerala State in India.

Avittathur Siva Temple (Mahadeva Temple) Religious Significance

Avittathur Siva Temple is also worshiped as the Avittathur Mahadeva. Here Lord Shiva is praised as the Mahadevar or the Supreme Being. This temple has more than 2000 years long standing history and is evident to see this in the temple. It is believed that Maharshi Agaysthiyar performed a very important ceremony here. This Siva temple comes under the Vedic Villages or the Spiritual Village in Kerala State and is belied to be the most important one among 64 such villages which is in the Dravidian region. Since this is an ancient temple many Hindus believe that such temple have divine powers and going and worshiping these temple once a year will bless them with prosperous living. This temple mainly attracts the Shivates and all Hindu sects do come here for worshiping Lord Shiva. This temple offers nearly 69 offering to its devotees. It conducts the daily rituals and other ceremonies as per devotees request too. Here paid offering are available and must be booked in advance. This temple is open throughout the year for prayers and pujas.

Avittathur Siva Temple (Mahadeva Temple) Festival Significance

Avittathur Siva Temple celebrates its Manthrankam koothu as a month long festival here. This festival has more on rituals and ceremonies and this is a rear temple to conduct such a long day's festival in Kerala temples. It is very grandly celebrated with each festival days solely dedicated for certain ceremonies. This temple will be thronged by thousands of devotees to see the thiyam Thollal, temple percussion and elephant processions. This Avittathur village itself will be decorated with flowers and lights. A great fair is held in these festival times. The Maha Shivarathri is also celebrated here very grandly with many rituals conducted here throughout the day and night.

Avittathur Siva Temple (Mahadeva Temple) Mythology & History

Avittathur Siva Temple has much folk lore related to the Mahabharata legends. It is said that once Arjuna was blessed by Lord Shiva from here after a great penance and took a boon from him. The ancient scripts found on the ceiling and walls are the evidence for those incidence. It is also noted in the Vedic texts that Maharshi Agysthiyar was one of the important worshiper of him in those times.

Avittathur Siva Temple (Mahadeva Temple) Architectural Significance

Avittathur Siva Temple is a class of its own beauty amidst this Avittathur village. This is a well compounded temple and occupies 3.5 acres of land areas. This is a traditional Kerala make temple which is built out of lime stone, laterite stones, stuccos, terracotta tiles and woods. The main entrance is a single story tower with gabled roofs on it. The entire temple roofs are covered with terracotta tiles and give it a typical Kerala look. It has got a very big porch supported with round pillars which leads to the main shrine cell where Lord Shiva is placed. The main cell is a circular structure with a huge conical dome on it which makes this temple very attractive. The main temple walls and ceiling are filled with ancient scripts which states this temple is nearly 2000 years old. A 50 feet long flag pole is fixed inside this temple. It has got few murals and many wooden carving works on it ceiling are very impressive. This is a very cute temple surrounded with coconut trees and looks charming.