Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

Introduction to the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple is located in Kottayam, Kerala. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala, attracting devotees and tourists alike. The Travancore Devaswom Board maintains it.

Legend of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

According to the temple legend, the Thekkumkoor Raja had a dream of Vadakkumnathan (Shiva), who told him to construct such a temple. Hence, the king built the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple, which resembled the Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur.

The temple is also said to be one of the 108 Shivalayas, and Sage Parasurama installed the Shiva Lingam here. The Thekkumkoor royal family considered the deity as their tutelary deity, Thirunakkara Thevar.

The Architecture of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

Thekkumkoor Raja, an ardent devotee of Shiva, built the temple 500 years ago. The Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple is in the Kerala architectural style, with gabled roofs, a circular sanctum, and intricately carved temple art. It sprawls on 4 acres of land. The Koothambalam of this temple is the largest one in Kerala and famous for its design. Visitors can see it in the southeast corner. Koothambalam is the dance hall where traditional arts and dances are performed. Stunning paintings depicting various Hindu rituals adorn the temple walls.

Shiva is the main deity of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple. The Sreekovil (sanctum) of the temple is square-shaped and has two stories. Golden finials adorn the sanctum doors. The sanctum has three separate rooms. Garbhagriha is in the west, where a six-inch Shiva Lingam (Swayambu) is installed facing east. A small Panchaloha idol of Parvati Devi is installed on the left of the Shiva Lingam. Several murals depict stories related to Shiva and Vishnu's Dasavathara in the temple complex. A tall golden flagstaff is in front of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple. A Balikkal Pura is also present here. The Navagrahas are sculpted on the upper part of the Balikkal Pura. An Anakottil (elephant camp) is at the temple premises.

The Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple also enshrines various sub-deities such as Ganesha, Subramaniya, Ayyappa, and Durga. It is believed that Kottayam is a prosperous city because Shiva dwells in the most peaceful form here.

To the north of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple, a plant, Vella Chethi, is seen. Along with the revered Swayambu, a stone image of Nandi is also believed to have emerged.

The Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple follows a unique custom that prohibits the entry of Brahmin women and prohibits devotees of the Moosad caste from carrying the idol.

Festivals in the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple

Phalguna Ulsavam, the annual festival, is grandly celebrated in the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple. This 10-day festival includes a procession of caparisoned elephants and art and cultural programs. It ends with Arattu, a ritual of dipping the idol in the river. Phalguna Ulsavam falls between March and April and attracts a huge crowd.

The other festivals, which fall from October to November and June to July, are also celebrated with great pomp.