Avittathur Mahadeva Temple

Overview

Avittathur Mahadeva Temple is Located at Avittathur in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala. This temple is deducated to Lord Shiva.

About The Temple

Avittathur temple as well as Avittathur Gramam is equally famous like Thaliparambu, Sukhapuram,Irinjalakuda and Peruvanam Gramams. Avittathur Mahadeva Temple, a Temple which is more than 2000 years old and one of the 108 Maha Siva Kshethras in the world is unique in many respects. Here Poojas are offered like Mahakshetra. The construction of the temple is also in the ancient style. The Palazhimadhanam on Namaskaramandapa and the Kiratham story on the Sreekovil done with art is very nice.

The temple is housed in a compound wall with an extent of 3 ¼ acres of land in square shape. Rounded Sreekovil, around 50 feet ”Dwaja Peedam”(Flag mast) and “Nadappura” definitely add ethnic and exemplary stature of the temple. Kiratham, Palazhy Mathanam and Ramayanam stories are inscribed on the inner roof pillars and sculptures around the Srekovil. Stone inscriptions are still seen in the temple (Pradakshina vazhi) which the archeologists confirm that are the writings belonging to the 13th century.

About The Deity

To add to its uniqueness is the fact that the Lord Siva in the form of Kirathamoorthy in the morning, Dakshinamoorthy in the noon and Parvathi Parama Sivan in the evening abodes the sanctum sanctorum and blesses the devotees who approach the Lord for the fulfillment of their desires.

The Homakunda( fire place where Maharshi Agasthya performed pujas) is still seen near to the temple.

Legend and Stories

The writings on the entrance of the Sreekovil is well known in the name as “Avittathur Sasanam” which is said to be proclaimed by the Kulasekhara King Kotha Ravi during his 20th year of rule.The erection and consecration of the idol, it is believed that was performed by none other than the greatest Acharayas of all time, Maharshi Agasthyar himself. Lord Siva in the form of Kiratha, blessing and giving boon to Arjuna is the “Prathishta Sankalpam”of the temple. Earlier the ownership of the temple was vested with 40 families and later it was confined to 10 families. The temple activities were then looked after and controlled by a person appointed by or a representative of the families. Naduvam MahanNamboodiri, Kuduppilly Krishnan Namboodiri,Neelakandan Namboodiri,Kuriyedath Narayanan Namboodiri, Sreekumaran Namboodiri etc were the prominent ones from the families. From 1985 onwards management of the temple activities is taken care by a committeeregistered by name “Sivakshethra Samithi”.

Festivals

To the best of the knowledge it is said that the 28 day utsavam is confined to only 3 Temples. Kottiyur in north , Shucheendram in south and Avittathur are the 3 temples. In olden days the festival commenced with the flag hoisting on the “Thiruvathira” during the Malayalam month of “Dhanu” and culminated with the “Arattu” (holy dip) on the “Thiruvathira” day in “Makaram”.The “Arattu” was held at the “Kandozhinjaru” near Chalakudy.

In connection with the festival “Manthrankam koothu” which used to last for 41 days was also to be performed. Later, the festival was confined to 10 days and the “Arattu” shifted to the temple pond near the temple.

During the last 24 years under the “Sivakshethra Samithi” who manages the day to day affairs of the Temple and Devaswam with the active participation of the public in general used to arrange the festival with fervor and various programmes in which thousands of people in and around the area used to throng.

A “Darsan” of the diety is nevertheless a boon to the devotee who definitely love to cherish it in his memory throughout his life.

How To Reach Avittathur

Airport

The nearest railway station to avittathur parish hall is Thrissur Railway Station which is 20 km away from Avittathur Parish Hall.

Railways

The nearest railway station to avittathur parish hall is Thrissur Railway Station which is 20 km away from Avittathur Parish Hall

Road

There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Thrissur.

Temple Address

Avittathur Mahadeva Temple,
Temple Rd, Avittathur,
Thrissur District,
Kerala State, Pincode - 680683.