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Mahadevar Temple

The Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple, also known as the medieval Thiruvanchaikkalam Temple, is located in Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Built in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been constructed during the Chera period in the 8th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshiped here as Mahadeva, and his consort Parvathi, revered as Umadevi. This temple holds significant spiritual importance, as it is mentioned in the Tevaram, the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work written by the Tamil saint poets, known as the Nayanmars. It is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, a list of 276 temples praised in the Tevaram. Notably, the Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple is the only temple in Kerala included in this prestigious list. As per the Periyapuranam, an important Tamil literary work, Sundara Murthi Nayanar, one of the four great saints in Tamil Shivism, is believed to have ascended to heaven from this very temple, adding to its revered status.

Timings

The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Entry Fee

Free of charge

The known history of Kerala begins with the Chera dynasty, with the Shiva of the Tiruvanchikulam Siva Temple being their tutelary deity. Kerala’s history is broadly divided into four epochs, the first of which is the Vanchi Epoch. During the Sangam period, Tiruvanchikulam was known as Vanji. Historians such as Dr. S. Krishna Swamy Iyengar and K.G. Sesha Iyer has identified Vanchi with Tiruvanchikulam. The 27 Sangam poets have praised the Cheras, and it is believed that they visited this temple and the nearby Cheraman Palace in ancient times.

Cheraman Perumal, the legendary king of Kerala, is believed to have journeyed to Kailasa with his companion, the Saiva saint Sundaramoorthi Nayanar, from the temple. This event is still celebrated by the Tamil community on the Swathi asterism day of the Malayalam month Karkatakam. According to Tamil Saiva traditions, Tiruvanchikulam is considered the only Saiva Tirupati temple in Kerala.

For centuries, the temple served as an administrative center for the kingdoms of Kochi and the Zamorins of Calicut. Currently, it is under the administration of the Cochin Devaswom Board. Traditional stories tell that the sword of the Zamorin, believed to have been gifted to him by Cheraman Perumal, was burned when the Dutch attacked the temple in 1670 CE. Evidence of this attack is found in the two basements of the temple towers on the western side, indicating that the Gopurams were destroyed. Additionally, there are records of invasions during the period of Tippu Sultan. In the Namskara Mandapa, an inscription written in Malayalam script reveals that the temple was damaged by a ‘Sasthra Bahya’ and later renovated under the leadership of Paliyath Govindan Achan, the chief minister of the Kochi Kingdom.

The present structure of the temple was built after the attack in 1801 CE, and the Shiva Linga enshrined at that time was brought from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. The two-storied sanctum sanctorum is square-shaped and faces east, towards the river, which in ancient times was very close to the temple. The aspect of Shiva in this temple is believed to be Sadasiva, the highest manifestation of Shiva.

The Arattu festival is conducted in the Arabian Sea, about 6 kilometers from the temple, and continues to be celebrated today. The temple also hosts the largest number of sub-gods and worship is conducted five times a day. A distinctive feature of the temple is the Palliyara, or sleeping chamber. After the evening worship services, around 8 PM, the deities of the temple are taken in a procession to the Palliyara, where the God and Goddess are placed in a chamber with a cot, bed, and pillows. The deities are then returned to the sanctum sanctorum the following morning. Youngsters wishing for a good spouse also participate in this Palliyara procession and worship the deities in the chamber. This practice is especially crowded on full moon days. The Palliyara feature is unique to this temple and is not seen in any other Kerala temples. As a result, the temple’s worship pattern is known as Pradesa Sampradaya.

Additionally, the temple has ancient connections with the Kodungallur Kurumbha Bhagavathy Temple. During the Bharani festival of the Bhagavathy temple, pilgrims traveling to the festival often visit Tiruvanchikulam Temple, continuing a long-standing tradition.


Administration History :



The administration of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Historically, the temple was an important religious and cultural center under the rule of the Cheraman Perumal dynasty, with King Cheraman Perumal himself contributing to its construction. Over the centuries, the temple witnessed various invasions, including the Dutch attack in 1670 CE and the Mysorean invasions led by Tipu Sultan, which caused significant damage to the temple. The temple was subsequently restored in 1801 CE under the leadership of Paliyath Achan, the Chief Minister of the Kochi Kingdom. During the colonial and post-colonial periods, the temple came under the administrative control of different local authorities. In the present day, the temple is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board, which oversees its rituals, festivals, and day-to-day activities, ensuring the continuity of its religious significance.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  2. Respect ancient customs and co-pilgrims while at the temple.
  1. Smoking and drinking are prohibited in the temple.
  2. Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka, and spitting inside the temple is strictly prohibited.

Dress Code

For men : The dress code requires wearing a shirt and trousers, or a dhoti or pyjamas with an upper cloth.

For women : The preferred dress code is a saree or half-saree with a blouse, or a chudidhar with pyjamas and an upper cloth.

How to reach

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Best Season to visit :

The best time to visit the temple is during the winter season, with the ideal months being from September to February.


By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, located 28 km away from the temple.

By Rail: The closest railway station is Chalakudy Railway Station, situated 21 km from the temple.

By Road: Nalammile Bus Sration is the nearest bus station, located 15.5 km away from the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers Around the Temple :

  1. Periyar River: The Periyar River, one of Kerala's major rivers, is located relatively close to Thiruvanchikulam. This river flows through the southern part of the state and has great religious and cultural significance. It is known for its role in irrigation, drinking water supply, and religious rituals in the region.
  2. Peringalkuthu River: The Peringalkuthu River is another river in the vicinity, and it is one of the tributaries of the Periyar. It contributes to the water supply for local agriculture and plays a role in the area's ecosystem.
  3. Chalakkudy River: The Chalakkudy River, flowing through the nearby town of Chalakkudy, is also an important river in the area. It flows into the Periyar and contributes to the local landscape, providing water for farming and everyday life.


Cities Around the Temple :

  1. Kodungallur: The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is located in the town of Kodungallur, which is historically significant and was once the capital of the Cheraman Perumal dynasty. Kodungallur is known for its religious importance, being the center for both Hindu and Christian pilgrims. The town is also famous for its annual Kodungallur Bharani festival.
  2. Thrissur: Thrissur, also known as the cultural capital of Kerala, is located about 30 kilometers away from Thiruvanchikulam. It is famous for the Thrissur Pooram, one of the largest and most well-known temple festivals in Kerala. Thrissur is an important city for both religious tourism and cultural activities.
  3. Ernakulam (Kochi): The city of Ernakulam, located approximately 40 kilometers from the temple, is a major urban center and port city in Kerala. Ernakulam is part of the larger Kochi metropolitan area and is a key economic and cultural hub. The city is well known for its Marine Drive, Mattancherry, and Fort Kochi areas, which are rich in historical landmarks.
  4. Aluva: Aluva, situated 20 kilometers away from Kodungallur, is another important town located along the banks of the Periyar River. It is known for its temples, especially the Shiva temple in the area, and serves as an important cultural and administrative center.
  5. Irinjalakuda: Located about 25 kilometers from Kodungallur, Irinjalakuda is a town in Thrissur district known for its ancient temples and religious significance. It is an important center for Hindu religious activities, especially around the time of festivals.