Information of Ernakulathappan Temple or Shiva Temple, Ernakulam, Kerala

Ernakulam Shiva Temple is also locally known as the Eranakulathu Appan Keshtram (Ernakulathappan Temple). This is ancient temple having the legends from the Mahabharata Era. This is also a tutelary deity for the Eranakulam Royals for the past three centuries. Since the ancient times this temple is known to be the safe guard for the Eranakulam or the presently called the Cochin City. This Shiva temple is the main temple for Kochi Hindu peoples and takes part in its rituals and ceremonies throughout the year make it a happening temple of the Cochin City. This temple is maintained by the Cochin Devosam Board. Its temple festival is a well known one in Kerala. It is supremely located near the Durbar Hall at Kochi City, Eranakulam District of Kerala State in India.

Shiva Temple Religious Significance

Lord Shiva is the primary deity of this temple. It also has its sub deities like the Parvathi Devi and her son Lord Vinayaka kept in different complexes. The presence of Iyyappa and the Nagaraja idols are also worshipped here. Lord Shiva is worshiped by the Kochi Hindus as the Gowri Shankara. He is in the Linga form. One of the Linga apart from the main Linga is known to be created by the Mahabharata legend Arjuna. It is made out of mud and known to be since here from the Thretha Yuga. Since it is an ancient temple and such temple are basically believed to be powerful since the Lord himself has come to this place or showed his presence. There for such temple are more attracted by the believers of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. This temple is open throughout the year and devotees can take part in the daily rituals preformed here and can also make a special pooja for them by advanced booking. While here one has to be abide the temple rules and regulations and can offer pujas or aratis accordingly with true spirit. One can also do offering as well as go for specialized pujas by asking the pundits or the religious head of the temple. It is worth to be here and seek blessing for the almighty for joyful life.

Festival at Shiva Temple

The Makara Masa Ultsavam is the main Shiva Temple festival conducted here. This usually comes in between the December and January months. This is a very grand temple festival of Kochi. Lakhs of people participate in this festival and many devotees do come from the other parts of Kerala. The festival starts with temple flag hoisting and giving a divine bath to the deities followed by the traditional percussion, fireworks, temple elephant procession and cultural are conducted in the temple festival times. The local venders do put various stall for the temple needs and devotees needs in and around the temple ground.

Shiva Temple Mythology & History

In the Thretha Yuga the Mahabharata legend Arjuna once meditated here to lord Shiva for a prolong time. At that time he was disturbed by a bear and this was killed by a hunter. But at the same time Arjuna also bowed an arrow to the bear. There was a dispute between the hunter and the Arjuna. But the hunter was very stubborn and Arjuna has to give up even though he was an eminent Archer of that time. He then made a Linga from the mud available there and put some flowers on it. It was surprising that the flowers were falling from the hunters head. Here Arjuna came to know that Lord Shiva showed his presence in the Hunters form. This place was later considered as holy place and many tribals and villagers safeguarded the Linga made of mud by the Arjuna. The present temple is built the exact place were the divine incident took place.

Shiva Temple Architectural Significance

Ernakulam Shiva Temple is spread across 1 acres of land. It is considered to be a fine example of the Hindu Kerala temple art form. This temple is constructed with lateraite blocks with lime stone pasting on the surface of these laterite blocks. Nearly the 30% of the ceiling areas are covered with wooden works and by terracotta tiles. The important feature is the gabled roof and lintels. It also has many huge cylindrical pillars. The main deity is kept facing towards the Arabian Sea. The Parvathi Devi is kept in a separate complex near the west gate. Lod Vinayaga, Iyyappa and Nagaraja are also placed within the temple complexes. The ancient mud made Linga is still preserved on the adjacent side of the main deity in s separate complex. Recently there are many pilgrim amenities are added with here like the marriage halls and ceremonial porch. This is a typical Kerala temple very beautiful to look.