Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple- Kerala

Address

Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple- Mammiyur Devaswom, Guruvayur P.O, Perumpilavil Rd, Thrissur District, Kerala 680101

Diety

Mahadeva/ Mammiyurappa Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple is 1000 years old popular Shiva temple situated in Guruvayoor, Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala and one among the five Shiva temples around Guruvayoor. The main deity is Lord Shiva, who is installed in the concept of ‘Uma Maheshwara’ – His form with Goddess Parvathi on his left. There is a shrine for Lord Vishnu also here. The sub-deities are Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Ayyappan, Goddess Kali and Serpent deities. This temple is managed by Malabar Devaswom Board.

Puranic Significance

The legendary history extends to the consecration of the famous Sree Guruvayur Temple – It was the final phase of Dwaparayuga. The great Deluge has submerged Sree Krishna’s abode Dwaraka and the Lord, as a playful child, was frolicking on a banyan leaf tossed about by the surging waters. Devaguru Brihaspathi and wind god Vayu stumble upon him where upon the Lord himself handed over to them the idol of the Supreme Lord that he has been worshipping at Dwaraka, with instructions to have it installed and consecrated at an appropriate spot on earth. Guru and Vayu then descended on the banks of a sprawing lake Rudratheertha rendered holy by Lord Shiva who has been doing penance there for ages. Realizing the purpose of the visit Lord Shiva suggested the consecration there itself on the bank of Rudratheertha and obligingly moved over to a nearby location on the other side of the Rudhra theertha. The place where Guru and Vayu consecrated the idol of Lord Krishna became GURUVAYOOR and the site that Lord Shiva chose for himself and his consort Sree Parvathy became Mahimayur, mahima evolving out of the status bestowed on Lord Shiva for voluntarily relinquishing his initial abode to accommodate Lord Krishna. This in course of time got colloquialised as MAMMIYUR. They came to Kerala created by sage Parasurama and chose the Bank of Rudra Theertha which was then home of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was happy to have Krishna by His side. The place of Shiva with all its Mahima (reputation) became Mahimai Oor which later changed as Mammiyur.

Beliefs

Lord Mammiyur Mahadevan responds to all prayers of His devotees. Devotees perform abishek to Lord offering vastras.

Special Features

To reap the full benefit of worshipping Lord Guruvayurappan, the devotee should also visit Maamiyur and worship Lord Mahadeva, is the stauch belief of people. There are shrines for Lords Mahavishnu, Ganapathi, Muruga, Darma Sastha and Brahmmarakshas, serpent Gods and Mother Bhagavati Amman in Mammiyur temple. This is the only temple that conducts a special puja known as Rig Veda Dhara chanting mantras from Rig Veda. This takes place from 6.45 a.m. to 7.15 a.m.

Festivals

Barring two months -Vaikasi (May-June) and Aani (June-July) the temple celebrates various festivals during the remaining 10 month of the year. Lalitha Sahasranama Archana is performed grandly on the Saraswithi puja day during Navarathri in September-October. Children from all parts of the country gather in the temple to participate in the Sangeetharchana event. Aksharabyasa- beginning the schooling of the children also takes place this day. Special pujas are performed in the temple on the Shivrathri day in February-March. Men are not allowed in the temple with shirts and pants. They have to come with dhoti only. No shirts.