Ettumanur Mahadeva Temple:
Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple:
Kaduthuruthy Temple:
Vaikkom Temple(contd)
Latest pictures
Ettumanur Shiva Temple:
The Ettumanur Mahadeva Temple & is on the on the railroad from Ernakulam -Thiruvananthapuram
south of Kottayam town.This Temple has many resemblances to Thrissur Vadakkumnathan Temple.
The legend says Khara(one of the Khara Dhooshana Demo Duo) of Ramayana worshipped Shiva at
Chidambaram and obtained from him three Shivalingams and began his journey holding one each
in his hands and the third one in his mouth.He stopped at Vaikkom and kept the shivalingam on
the ground and to his dismay found that the shivalingam got rooted to the
ground.>Kharan,thereforeinstalled the other two Shivalingams at Ettumanur and Kaduthuruthi.
So it is believed visiting the three shrines at Vaikkom,Ettumanur and Kadathuruthy is
significant and earns more Punya and Blessings from Lord shiva and Devi Parvathy.
The legend says that Kharan also installed an image of Krishna on the north western corner of
the Ettumanur Temple.
There are several other legends also associated with Ettumanur Temple.Legend has it thatShiva
created a deer and set it to play in an island.When Parasurama (aso an incarnation of Vishnu)
reclaimed land from sea,this island also became a part of what is called Kerala today. The
isle of deer is referred to as Hannadweepa.The malayalam word for deer is "Maan" and hence
the place came to be known as Manoor
The Manoor later on known as Ettumanoor.
The Ettumanoor Temple is a west facing Temple.Has a circular Sanctum covered with a conical
copperplated roof crowned with a Kalsam.The Mukhamandapam in front of the Temple bears two
images of Nandi one of stone and the other metal. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SEPARATE SHRINE FOR
pARVATHI THE REAR OF THE SANCTUM IS REVERED AS pARVATHY SHRINE.
A rectangular circumambulatory passage surrounds the Sanctum.The sanctum bears wood carvings
of superior workmanship portraying legends Ramayanam and Bhagavathapuranam
Besides,workmanship of of the murals on the western entrance to the Temple can be seen.The
speciality is the Paintings of the DANCE OF SHIVA.
Thereare also Shrines to Dharmasastha,Ganapathy,Dakshinamoorty,Bhagavathy&Yakshi in the
Temple.In front of the Shrine,there is a Golden staff visible from a distance.
At the entrnce to the Temple there is a metal Lamp.Devotees offer oil and soot to burn the
lamp and collect burnt oil and ashes which are considered to have medical value.
The Malayalam month of Kumbham(Februrary-March)is the festival season at EttumanurTemple.
The 10 day festival startson the Thiruvathira day of the month of Kumbha.
On the 8th and 10th day of the festivalthe seven and half elephants made of gold of 13kg would
be brought out and held in public view(Ezhara ponnana)Several people assemble to view this
procession whis=ch is a glittering view.This statues in gold of 7 elephants with an addition
of a small elephant calle half elephant worth 13 KG of gold was donated to the Temple by
Maharaja of Travancore.This Temple is one of the richest in Kerala.The devaswam is considered
as the wealthiest until recently.However ,the present position of Temple wealth can not be
mentiones as Shri Padmanabha swamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram had many revealing of wealth
consisting of Diamonds pearls Gold and many more in different rooms some of which are yet to
be opened and counted.
Supreme court of India is keeping an eye on it wuith a view to avoiding mismanagement of the
enormous wealth avaiable there.
Thulabharam as is in many Temples like Guruvayur which involves measuring the weight of
individuals to offer equal weight of mateial according to the choice of devotee is being
offered to the diety to receive His Blessings.
Ettumanur there is a Raiway station .Certain trains stop there daily.In festival season
additional stops are allowed.One can reach Ettyumanur comfortably by Road or rail.Kottayam
ithe most convenientRaiway station where many trains stop.Ettumanur is not very far from
Kottayam
Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple:
The biggest Festval of Vaikkom MhadevaTemple"VaikkomAshtami is today(10th 0f Dec2017) is
today followed by Aarattu (11th Decembe} tomorrow .Some of the latest pictures of the great
Temple are shown above.
Vaikkom is situatedon the western side of Kottayam in,Kerala.Vaikkom shares border with
Vembanattu Lake.The historcal importance of Vaikkom besides Mahadeva Temple isVaikkom
atyagraha against untouchability,in which Mahatma gandhiPeriyar Ramaswamy had participated.
Vaikkom is easily accessible from Ernakulam,Alappuzha and Kottayam.Vaikkom has plenth of
backwaters and is a city of tourist attraction.
Vaikkom is a Temple city where the famous Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple is situated(Incidentally
today is the famous festival Vaikkath Ashtami followed by Aaratt tomorrow.)
The place is famous for getting spices like Nutmeg,Black pepper,and Latex from the farmers
here.The economy of vaikkom depends on the crops Coconut and Rice which are cultivated here.
Fishing also contributes towards flourishing the economy of Vaikkom.
However,the the religious importance of fvaikkom Mahadeva Temple is the major attraction of
the place.Vaikkom is also known as Dakshina Kaasi is a sacred Pilgrimage Destination.
The Temple is built in the Kerala style of Architecture.While the Garbhagriha is surmounted by
a golden Stupa a staff that measures 19.5m dominates the surrounding landscapes.A few
paintings is also seen on the exterior of the Garbhagriha.A 1m high Shivalinga(the phallic
symbol representing Shiva the destroyer} is the main Diety of the Temple .
Legends say that Kharan of Ramayana worshipped Shiva at Chuitambaramand obtained from him
three Shivalingams and journied holding one shivalingam on each hand and one in his mouth.He
sojourned at Vaikkom for a shortwhile and kept the shivalingam on the ground and to his dismay
found it has got stuck to the ground rooted there.Kharan, therefore installed the other two
Shivalingams at Ettumanur and Kaduthuruthy.
Healso entrusted the Shivalingam at Vaikkom to the care of Vyagrapadar.Vaikkom therefore
acquired the name of Vyagrapuri which ultimately became Vaikkom in short form.
Vaikkathshtami has also a legend.A saint man Prayed Lord Shiva for yeaers together and finally
Shiva along with Parvathy gave him darshan at Vaikkom on thecvday of Krishna ashtami.As memory
Vaikkathashtmi is cebrated for 12c days and tge 12thb day is Vaukkathashtami.
The Vaikkom Temple is unique with its splendid area of almost 8 acres andv thev boundaries
are marked by four Gopurams as in the case of Vadakkumnathan Temple at Thrissur.
KADU THURUTHY MAHADEVA TEMPLE:
Kaduthuruthy is a small place between Vaikkom and Ettumanur .The Northern and Western borders
are spread over the backwaters fromVembanattu Lake.As mentioned earlier one of thev three
Shivalingams obtained by Kharasura was installe on a hill at Kaduthuruthy.The shivalinga of
the Kaduthuruthy temple faces from west to east out of the the three sivalingam brought by
MKharan one with 3n inches was installed at Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple.Thec story of
Karthaveerarjuneeyam has been carved and displayed here withb architectural elegance.300
years ago the Temple was consumed by fire but the Mandapam with its carvings were kept unhurt
in tact.The Poojari had the idol kept to his chest and cried aloud .Butbthe chief priest died
whilev the idol recovered was erected in the Temple,Besides lorrd
ganesha,Dharmasastha,Goddess Durga have shrines here in this Temple,
10 days festival is conducted here also but not as famous as Vaikkom or Ettumanur Temples.
Ohm!Nam:Sivaya!
Sreedharan Mundanat
10th December 2017
at Thrissur 680 004
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