Kottayam Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple – Kerala

Address

Kottayam Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple – Ettumanoor Temple Rd, Ettumanoor, Kottayam district, Kerala 686631

Deity

Ettumanoorappan (Shiva)

Introduction

• Name: Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
• Location: Kottayam, Kerala, India
• Significance: An ancient Shiva temple, it is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala, along with Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, and Ernakulam Shiva Temple.
• Historical Context: The temple is believed to have been worshipped by the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa. The name “Ettumanoor” is derived from the word “manoor,” meaning “the land of deer.”
• Cultural Importance: It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams, celebrated in the hymns of Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sundarar.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Background:
  • The temple was reconstructed in 1542 AD and is built in traditional Kerala architectural style.
  • The temple walls are adorned with Dravidian mural paintings, with the fresco of Pradosha Nritham (Dance of Shiva) being one of the finest wall paintings in India.
  • A golden flagstaff inside the temple features an idol of a bull, surrounded by small bells and metal leaves of the banyan tree.
  • The temple includes subordinate deities such as Bhagavathi, Sastha, Dakshinamoorthy, Ganapathy, and Yakshi, with a separate temple for Lord Krishna.
  • It is believed that philosopher Adi Sankaracharya composed Soundarya Lahari while staying at the temple.
  • The name “Ettumanoorappan” is derived from Kattampakk, a small village in the Kottayam district.

Special Features

• Legend of Khara:
  • According to legend, an Asura named Khara received three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva. He transported them to Kerala, holding one with his teeth and the others in his hands.
  • The Lingam held by his teeth was consecrated at Kaduthuruthi, the one in his right hand at Vaikom (Vaikom Mahadeva Temple), and the one in his left hand at Ettumanoor.
  • After consecrating these three divine places, Khara is believed to have transformed into a deer and started worshipping the Gods. It is said that the God in Ettumanoor lifted the deer, which led to the place being called Udhruthaina Puram, later known as Ettumanoor.

Festivals

• Aarattu Festival:
  • The temple celebrates the grand Aarattu festival on the Thiruvathira day in February-March each year, attracting a large number of devotees.
• Thulabharam:
  • Thulabharam is one of the important rituals performed at the temple, where devotees offer items equivalent to their weight as a form of devotion.

Century/Period/Age

1000- Years old

Managed By

Travancore Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Ettumanoor

Nearest Railway Station

Ettumanoor Station

Nearest Airport

Kochi

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