Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

Introduction to the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is located in Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Kerala. It is one of the most ancient Shiva temples in South India, where Shiva supposedly resides with his whole family. The Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple is the oldest reference in the ancient Tamil Sangam literature, which shows its antiquity. The Nayanmars listed the temple as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams. Arathali temple is the other name for it.

Legend of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

The temple is the stuff of many legends. According to local legend, Sundara Murti Nayanar (a prominent Shaiva saint) began his journey towards Kailash (Shiva's abode) from the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple.

The saint mounted a white elephant here, which Shiva sent, to reach Kailash. Cheraman Perumal followed Sundara Murti Nayanar on a horse to reach Kailash. The idols of both these personalities are in the temple.

History of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple has witnessed several invasions. It was entirely ruined during the invasion of the Dutch and the army of Tipu Sultan of Mysore.

While expanding Mysore southward, Tipu Sultan caused severe damage to the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple. His soldiers stole valuable gold ornaments from the temple and destroyed its sculptures in the early 18th century.

Cheraman Perumal, a great King of the Chera dynasty, built the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple and renovated it in 1801 AD.

The main idol of worship, Shiva Linga, is believed to have been brought from Chidambaram temple, one of the most famous temples for Shiva in South India.

The Architecture of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

A three-storied Dwara Gopuram is on the eastern side of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple, the devotees' entrance to the temple. Visitors can see a stone carving of Shiva and Parvati on the left side of the temple's entrance. There is a porch inside the temple with carvings dedicated to the characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The sanctum, Mukha Mandapam, and Namaskara Mandapam have copper sheet roofing. The Namaskara Mandapam, with 16 pillars, is a main attraction of the temple. It is located before the sanctum. On the ground floor, visitors can see the carved wooden figures, which are placed at regular intervals. The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is built of laterite stone with a wooden rooftop made with wood and terracotta tiles.

Mahadeva, an incarnation of Shiva, is the main deity of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple. The sanctum enshrines a Swayambhu Lingam in the east direction. It is 4 inches in length, 12 inches in diameter, and is in a semi-circular form. The Lingam has a scar mark on the top of the left side of the head. The paintings of Banjaras, Ghana Dwaras, and Toranas adorn the walls of the sanctum (Sreekovil).

The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple has the largest number of Upa devas (sub-deities) in Kerala. Mahadeva is depicted in various forms here.

The idols of Shiva and Parvati are kept separately in different sanctums in this temple, which is rare. Vinayaka, Cheraman Perumal, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, Ayyappa, Sathi Devi, Durga Devi, Sapthamathrukkal, Nandi, Hanuman, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, and Vishnu have separate shrines here. Devotees are not allowed to touch the Nandi (divine vehicle of Shiva), and priests can only touch it for cleaning. This custom is contrary to other temples where all are allowed to touch Nandi.

The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple performs various Palliyara Poojas on full moon nights, and many devotees attend them.

Festivals in the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple

The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple celebrates the annual festival grandly. This 8-day festival begins with the flag hoisting atop the Dwajasthambam, which is 70 feet high. The celebration ends with the Arattu in the sea on the new moon day. The temple celebrates the annual festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March). Aanayottam is a unique event of the annual festival. Vaisakha Pournami Brahmotsavam is another famous festival celebrated in the Malayalam month Midhunam (May-June).

Maha Shivratri is another grand festival celebrated between February and March that attracts hordes of devotees across the state. Thiruvathira and Navratri are the other festivals celebrated in the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple.