Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple – Kerala

Address

Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple – Kerala

Thekkumbhagom,

Ernakulam district,

Kerala 683580

Phone: 0484 260 0182

Moolavar

Mahadeva

Amman

Parvathi

Introduction

• Located in Vellarappally near Kalady, Ernakulam district, Kerala.
• One of the most popular Shiva-Parvati temples in South India.
• Kalady is the birthplace of the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, who advocated Advaita Vedanta.
• The temple is known as the “Sabarimala of women” due to its unique ritual where the doors of Goddess Parvati’s sanctum are opened only for 12 days in a year (December-January).

Puranic Significance:

• The temple is believed to be 1000-2000 years old.
• The history is tied to Akavoor Mana, the owner of the land, and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
• According to legend, Akavoor Chathan, a member of the legendary Parayi Petta Panthirukulam, and a Brahmin, made a boat out of light granite to visit the temple.
• On returning, the Brahmin noticed his umbrella became lighter when he stopped to rest. A woman later saw a stone bleeding when sharpening her knife, which was believed to be the stone form of Lord Shiva (Airanikulathappan), thus the place became known as Thiruvairanikkulam.

Unique Features:

• Temple Structure: The temple complex spans 40 cents (out of 1.5 acres). It includes the Sreekovil, Namaskara Mandapam, Sub-shrines, Chuttambalam with Agra Mandapam, Pradakshina Vazhi, and Deepasthambham.
• Wooden Carvings: The Sreekovil walls have intricate wooden carvings, including dragon figurines over elephant heads and depictions of Deva-Asura battles and Devotsava on the ceiling of the Namaskara Mandapam.
• Deities’ Direction: The chief deity, Lord Shiva, faces east, while Goddess Parvati faces west, which is unusual for a Shiva-Parvati temple.
• Deity Placement: Other deities in the temple include Lord Nandikeshwara (in front of Shiva’s sanctum), Lord Vigneshwara (east of the shrine), Sathidevi and Goddess Kali (in the surrounding wall), Lord Dharmasastha (Kanni Rasi), and Lord Vishnu (Kumbham Rasi).

Festivals:

• Nadathurappu Mahothsavam: A grand festival during the 12 days when Goddess Parvati’s sanctum is open (from Thiruvathira Nakshatram, the birthday of Lord Shiva).
• Main Offerings: Uma Maheswara Pooja, Velioth, and Thalika Nivedyam.
• Rituals During Festival: Goddess Parvati is bathed in oriental silks, Pattu, Thali, and turmeric powder during the festival. The temple is open from 4:30 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm on these 12 days.

Century/Period

1000-2000 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Aluva

Nearest Railway Station

Aluva Station

Nearest Airport

Cochin

Location on Map

lightuptemple