Information of Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Thiruvanchikulam Temple or the Mahadeva temple is the ancient Hindu temple built for Lord Shiva and his wife Parvathi in Kerala State. This is an ancient monument declared by the Government of India-Archeology and maintained by the state department of Kerala. Since it has finest essence of Hindu temple architectural dynamics and many lovely murals are found in this temple. This is one among the great Lord Shiva temple which is open throughout the year, since most of the Kerala temple closes the main central cell of the deity soon after its temple festival is over. But the Parvathi Devi's Cell in this temple is opened for 12 days only. Nearly lakhs of devotees come in the November and December month to see this festival and get blessing from Lord Shiva and Parvathi. This unique temple has vast history and legends for its origin in Thiruvanchikulam, Thrissur District of Kerala State in India.

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple Religious Significance

Thiruvanchikulam Temple actual name is Thiru Vanjai Kulam, but locally spelled out in a single word. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as the Mahadeva or the Supreme Being, hence this temple in Thrisure is also known as the great Mahadeva temple. This is a very rear temple which has the idols of lord Shiva and Parvathi are kept separately in a different cell of the same temple premises. Apart from the main deities this temple is also a worship place of Lord Vinayaka, Iyyappa Swamy, Sathi Devi, Durga Devi and lord Vishnu in the same temple premises in different sanctum sanctorum. Here the Nandhi idol which is Lord Shiva's animal is not allowed to touch and pray by the devotees. Usually it is a practice to touch and pray this holy animal. But this Nandi is touched by temple peoples only for cleaning purpose. This is a famous temple of the Shivaite sects of the Hindus. Many devotees come here to get relief from marriage obstacles. This is a famous temple for the Hindu women members since the Sathi Devi is in three forms like Parvathi Devi, Durga Amma and including herself in the same temple.

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple Mythology & History

This is an ancient temple which was founded by few Brahmin peoples living here and maintained since the discovery. It is also said that a lower cast people known as the Pulaya in Kerala was responsible to discover this temple in ancient days. A story is said in the myths that Pulaya women went deep in to the forest for wood collection and while sharpening her knife on a granite stone, she found blood coming out. This made the women frighten and ran away to the village and repot this incidence. In the medieval times this temple was the tutelary deity for the Travancore Kings. This happened since when they shifted the summer capital to Eranakulam or Cochin which is nearby this temple.

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple Architectural Significance

The origin of Thiruvanchikulam Temple is unknown. But it is mentioned in the Dravidian ancient scripts. During the Mysore expansion by Tipu Sultan towards the south caused a heavy damage to this temple when his solders looted the temple valuable like gold ornaments, murals and destroyed its sculptures in the early 19th century. The present temple is seen with a huge towered entrance in Kerala style of Hindu temple. It is a two storied tower seen fenced along with the main temple walls. Inside there are two primary deities and surrounded by three other complex for its sub deities. A beautiful Nandi idol is seen in front of the lord Shiva sanctum sanctorum. There are very beautiful wooden works seen all around this temple structure. The ancient murals seen here which was painted by unknown artist is the beautiful feature of this temple. This temple is built of laterite stone with roof topping built with woods and terracotta tiles. It is a very unique traditional temple in Kerala State.

Festival at Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple

The Mahashivarathri is the main temple festival conducted here for Lord Shiva. This is auspicious day is filled with many devotees coming across the Kerala State. The opening and closing ceremony of Parvathi Devi for the 12 days is also celebrated as the Nadathurappu Mahothsavam. Since the Devi can be seen for these 12 days yearly, many devotees rush to this temple on this occasion. These 12 days are special for it devotees to see the beautiful goddess dressed in silk saree. The turmeric and sandal paste applied on the idol every day in the morning and many devotee waits in queue in the early morning to see this event. Every even that is celebrate here is done with immense importance and is highly marked giving immense importance to the cultural values as well as the rituals which depicts the beauty of the temple as well as of the state.