- Shiva
Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple
- Mavelikkara,Kerala
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Overview
Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is renowned ancient Shiva temple located in Kandiyoor near Mavelikara. Located on the banks of the river Achankovil, Kandiyoor was once the capital of the Odanadu kingdom. The shrine is considered one among the 108 holy Shiva kshetras of ancient Kerala and was sanctified by Lord Parashurama himself. The temple lies 1 Km west of the town Mavelikar. The temple compound covers an area of 7.5 acres.
About the deity
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva who is known as Kandiyoorappan (the ruling deity of Kandiyoor). The sanctum of the Lord faces the direction east. The sanctum sanctorum is two tiered where the bottom one is oval in shape while the top tier is rectangular. The 10 feet Gajaprishta style wall is believed to have been built by the Bhothaganas of Lord Shiva. Few puranic stone inscriptions are also found in the temple.
Lord Kandiyoorappan, is considered to be in the form kirathamoorthy. The deity is worshipped as Dakshinamoorthy in the morning, Umamaheshwaran in the noon and as Kirathamoorthy in the evening. The Lord is worshipped as Panchmukha from the South-West corner of Pradakshina Vazhy, by viewing five Thazikakudams of Shiva temples and as Vaikatappan(ruling deity of Vaikom) during sunset. The other deities present in the temple include Lord Vishnu, Parvatheesan, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, Gosala Krishnan, Lord Dharma Sastha, Sankaran, Sreekandan, Vadakkumnathan, Annapoomeswary, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanyan, Moola Ganapathy and Brahma Rakshas of which Sankara, Sreekanda, Vadakkumnadha, Parvatheesa and Mrityunjaya are Lord Shiva himself. There are six Shivalingas that are consecrated in this temple.
About the Temple
The place Kandiyoor and this historic temple of Mahadev has a significant part in the history of Kerala. This shrine is one among the earliest temples of Kerala. An epigraph about its origin dating back to 823 AD during the reign of Rajasekhara Varman is said to have been found. There was a separate era named 'Kandiyoorabdam', starting from the year of formation of the temple. This year calculator was widely in use until the introduction of Kollavarsham.
The temple was also once considered as a Hinayana Buddhist temple. The King of Mavelikara is believed to have ordered the removal of the Buddha idol and instead install a Shivalinga in its place. It is said that it is this idol of Buddha that was retrieved recently from the nearby paddy fields and placed near the Mavelikara temple.
The Kandiyoor inscription (K. E. 393) dated 1218 mentions that Kandiyoor temple was reconstructed by Rama Kotha Varma of Odanad. The Kalasam ceremony was attended by devadicci Unni, wife of Ravi Kerala Varma.
Kandiyoor was initially annexed to Kayamkulam by the Kayamkulam Rajah and later to the kingdom of Travancore by Marthanda Varma. It is believed that during the war between Odanadu and Kayamkulam, the defeated king Kayamkulam Raja is said to have surrendered his sword in this temple and left through the rear door, which still remains closed even after centuries.
The temple finds mention in the Unnuneeli Sandesam written around the 14th century AD.
Legends and Stories
Many stories and legends are associated with the temple. It is said that Rishi Markandeya, the son of Rishi Mrikandu got an idol of Lord Shiva in the form of Kirathamoorthy, while bathing in the holy river Ganges. He heard a divine voice directing him to place the idol in a befitting place. The sage started his search for an ideal place to consecrate the idol and ended up in Kandiyoor which was on the banks of river Achankovil. He felt that the place was perfect and thus established the temple there. The name Kandiyoor is a colloquial form of “Kandathil nalla uru” which literally means the “best place seen so far”.
According to another legend, the temple is situated at the site where Lord Shiva is said to have beheaded Lord Brahma. The name Kandiyoor is derived from the name Sri Kantan, which denotes Lord Shiva. Lord Parasurama is believed to have renovated the temple and had given the tanthrik rights to the Tharananallur family.
Festivals
The 10 days long annual festival is in Dhanu(December/January) with arattu on Thiruvathira day.
How to reach Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple
Road
The nearest Bus stop is Mavelikara. Buses are available from all parts of the state to Mavelikara.
Railways
The nearest railway station is Mavelikara.
Airport
The nearest airports are at Trivandrum and Cochin which are approximately 100 km from Kandiyoor.
Temple Address
Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple,
Kandiyoor, Mavelikara,
Kerala - 690103
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To pray for knowledge
- For protection
- To overcome obstacles
Shlokas
Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree
Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.
Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat
Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.
Timings
The temple is open from 5.00 am to 11.00 am in the morning and 5.00 pm to 8.00pm in the evening.