Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple-(Wolrd’s Tallest Shiva Lingam)- Kerala

Address

Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple- (Wolrd’s Tallest Shiva Lingam)- Udiyankulangara Vlathankara Rd, Chenkal, Kerala 695132

Diety

Shiva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

The Shiva Lingam of Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, measuring a record height of 111.2 feet has made an entry into the India Book of Records for being the tallest Shiva Lingam in the world. Previously, the 108-feet-high Shiva lingam of Kotilingeshwara Temple in Karnataka was the tallest in the country. The construction of Shiva Linga begun in 2012 which has a height equivalent to that of a 10-story building that took 6 years to complete. Not just its height but its unique cylindrical structure and the remarkable surprises concealed inside it are a wonder to gaze at. Water, sand and soil from various holy places like Kashi, Gangotri, Rishikesh, Rameswaram, Danushkodi, Badrinath, Gomukh, and Kailash were also mixed with the construction materials. Hence, the Shiva Lingam of Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple is said to be a divine structure. Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple is located at Maheswaram, 26 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city, the capital of Kerala, South India.

Puranic Significance

At North-West corner of Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple there is Mahalingam having 111 feet height. Mahalingam at Maheswaram Temple is the world’s highest Sivalingam. Mahalingam has plenty of unique peculiarities.In addition to the 6 meditation halls inside Mahalingamthere exist another 2 halls, one at the bottom and other at the top of the Mahalingam. Devotees are allowed to meditate at each meditation hall by knowing about and concentrating at symbols of each chakra present there.In the Prayer hall (at the bottom of Sivalingam), there is a large Sivalingam. This is for the devotees to realize the fact that one should worship his own god by himself. Here Devotees themselves can worship Lord Siva and can proceed to the next six meditation halls to meditate by concentrating on symbols of each Adhara and finally devotees can reach Kailasam which is at the top level of Mahalingam. There each devotee can reach at the Sannidhi of Sri Sivaparvathi at Kailasam. Lotus with 1000 petals representing Sahasrara chakra can also be seen there.Way to the top level of the Mahalingam is spiral shaped and is surrounded by a cave like atmosphere and plenty of carvings (of Monks) pertained to meditation. Inside Mahalingam, 108 different Sivalingam and 64 forms of Lord Siva can be seen. The serene atmosphere inside the Sivalingam gives a rich spiritual experience to each devotee who visits Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple. The devotees can worship 12 Jyothirlingam of Lord Shiva and 32 forms of Lord Ganesha at the Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple which makes it noble and only one of its kind in the world. Lord Ganesha is believed to be the Obstacle remover, the god of auspicious beginning and good fortune. Devotees believe that Lord Ganesha has taken 32 forms to save devotees from the different issues that may arise in different stages of life. 32 forms of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped at Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple. 32 Forms of Lord Ganesha are, 1. BalaGanapathi (Child like) / 2. BhakthiGanapathi (Devotee form) / 3. Dhundhi Ganapathi (Sought after Ganapathi) / 4. Durga Ganapathi (Similar to mother Durga) / 5. Dvija Ganapathi (Born twice) / 6. Dvimukha Ganapathi (With two heads) / 7. Ekadanta Ganapathi (Single tusked) / 8. Ekakshara Ganapathi (Lord of single letter) / 9. Haridra Ganapathi ( For wealth) / 10. Heramba Ganapathi (Magnificent protector) / 11. Kshipra Ganapathi (Quickly blesses) / 12. Kshipra PrasadaGanapathi (Quick rewarder) / 13. Lakshmi Ganapathi (The fortunate) / 14. Maha Ganapathi (Popularly worshipped) / 15. Nritya Ganapathi (Dancer) / 16. Rinamochana Ganapathi (Liberator from debts) / 17. Sankatahara Ganapathi (Dispeller of sorrows) / 18. Shakthi Ganapathi (Powerfull form) / 19. Siddhi Ganapathi (Master of intellect) / 20. Simha Ganapathi (Fearless) / 21. Srishti Ganapathi (Creator) / 22. Taruna Ganapathi (Youthful) / 23. Trimukha Ganapathi (Three faced) / 24. Tryakshara Ganapathi (Lord of A-U-M) / 25. Ucchhishta Ganapathi (Lord of Superiority) / 26. Uddanda Ganapathi (Enforcer of Dharma) / 27. Urdhva Ganapathi (The elevated) / 28. Varada Ganapathi (Boon Giver) / 29. Vighna Ganapathi (Lord of Obstacles) / 30. Vijaya Ganapathi (Victorious) / 31. Vira Ganapathi (Courageous) / 32. Yoga Ganapathi (in Yogic posture) All these 32 forms of Lord Ganesha can be worshipped together at Maheswaram Temple to eradicate obstacles from the life of a devotee.

Beliefs

Devotees believe, by giving offerings and with the blessings of Lord Siva in the form of Dvadasa Jyothirlingam all kinds of Dosham (misfortune) and illness will be removed from their life. It is one of the peculiarities that, devotees all over the world visit the Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple to worship entire Dvadasa (12) Jyothirlingam together.

Special Features

The tallest Shiva lingam in the country after the India Book of Records certified the 111.2-feet structure of Maheshwaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple. The structure has 8 floors with six of them representing the six chakras or energy centers in the human body which houses 6 meditation halls for devotees, pilgrims, to meditate on respective chakras. 108 Shiva lingams are consecrated on the first floor of the structure where the devotees can offer ‘Abhishekam‘. The Maha Shivling chanting “PanchakPanchakshari Mantra” will attain self-realization or Aham Brahmasmi” at the Sannidhi of Shiva-Sakthi Swaroop at Kailash which is the top-level inside this Shivling. This is a unique structure in the country for the spiritual experience of one of its kind. It is the only temple in the world, where devotees can worship 12 Jyothirlingam of Lord Shiva and 32 forms of Lord Ganesha at one place.