Sreekanteswaram Temple

Introduction to Sreekanteswaram Temple

A temple that is dedicated to both Shiva and Krishna (Vishnu) is the Sreekanteswaram temple. The temple stands outside the north fort in Thiruvananthapuram and is surrounded by trees. Its serene environment is very soothing to devotees. It is one of the ancient Shiva temples in Kerala. The temple lies southwest of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram ('Pazhaya' means 'old' in Tamil). The Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram is in Puthenchantha, Thiruvananthapuram, which received special mention in the administrative records of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple.

Legend of Sreekanteswaram Temple

According to the temple legends, an old sweeper at the Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple was resting under a tree after completing her work for the day. She kept her pot and broom beside her. After a while, when she tried to lift the pot, she found it difficult as it was heavy, and even she could not move it from where she kept it. When she attempted to break the pot, the pot started bleeding. The belief is that Shiva gave darshan to her. A Swayambhu Shiva Linga was found at the place where the pot was. News of the incident reached the ears of the king. He immediately gave instructions to build a temple there, which became the new Sreekanteswaram Temple.

The Architecture of Sreekanteswaram Temple

According to the famous historian, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, Sreekanteswaram Temple existed even in the 9th century AD. The Sreekanteswaram Temple was built according to Kerala's unique architectural style. It is quite a contrast to the Dravidian architecture found in other South Indian temples. Although Dravidian influences are present, one can also discern the influences of Vaastu Shastra and the historical imprint of the state's maritime business partners like Europeans, Chinese, and Arabs. Thachu-Shastra, Silparatna, Manushyalaya-Chandrika, and Tantrasamuchaya, the classical Indian architectural works, dominate the architecture of Kerala.

Shiva and Krishna are the prime deities of the Sreekanteswaram Temple. Shiva graces his devotees in the form of Shiva lingam by facing the east direction. Sri Krishna's idol was installed to eliminate the anger of Shiva. Other deities, like Ganesha, Nagas, Swamy Ayyappa, Subramanya, and Hanuman, have separate sanctums. The temple pond is also located in the east. Devotees use it for a holy bath. They also perform rituals there.

Festivals of Sreekanteswaram Temple

• Maha Shivaratri Festival is a major festival celebrated grandly in Sreekanteswaram temple in the month of Kumbham (Feb-Mar). On this day, Shiva's idol is carried out on the Silver Rishabavahana at 3.00 am in a procession. It is carried out only on Shivaratri and the fifth day of the temple festival.
• Thiruvathira Mahotsavam is the temple's annual festival that takes place in the month of Dhanu (Dec-Jan). This ten-day grand festival starts by raising the temple flag, a ritual called Thirukkodiyettu. Palliveta (Royal hunt) is the special event of the 9th day. On the 10th day, Adryadarshan is done. Special rituals and processions are conducted on all ten days.

Benefits of worshipping at Sreekanteswaram Temple

Devotees worship the deities for health, wealth, longevity, marriage, progeny, and mental peace. Mrityunjaya Archana, Jaladhara, Pinvilakku, Mritunjaya Homam, and Kuvala Mala Samarpanam are special offerings to Shiva.

During Nirmalya Darshan, for 41 days continuously, devotees will get the blessings of Sreekanteswara, and all the wishes of the devotee may be fulfilled.