Azhimalai (Gangadeswarar) Shiva Temple, Kerala

Address

Kovalam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram District,

Kerala State 695501

Moolavar

Gangadeshwar

Introduction

Azhimalai (Gangadeswarar) Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Kovalam beach, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala State, India. Azhimalai Shiva Temple is a famous one. At the back of this temple, a huge idol of Lord Shiva is carved along the beach. It is a concrete statue. The work of erecting this statue started in 2014 continued for 6 years and was completed at the end of 2020.

Puranic Significance

This idol of Lord Shiva is made in a different way than the usual Shiva idol. Carved in sitting posture on a small rock, this idol depicts Lord Shiva with one leg resting on the ground and the other in a supine position. He holds a huge mace in his left hand. He keeps his right hand on his right thigh.

Many of the statues of Lord Shiva, usually set up on a grand scale, face the devotees who come to worship him. But Lord Shiva, who graces through this idol, turns his head to the left and looks towards the sky. And the plaited hair on his head is untied to reveal the Goddess Ganga within it. Hence the name of Lord Shiva is ‘Gangadeswarar’.