Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
About Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Far From City: 10 kms from city center
Cost:
About Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Weather:
Time Required:1 - 2 hrs
Open Time:4:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost:No Entry Fee
Etymology of Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The temple has a lot of legacies behind its origin. The most prominent legend goes to say that Khara was an Asura who got three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva himself. He set off with all three shivalingas to Kerala- held one by his teeth and the other two in his two hands. After reaching Kerala, the one in his teeth was consecrated at Kaduthuruthi, the one in his right hand at Vaikona and the one in his left hand at Ettumanoor. Immediately after that, after sanctifying all three shivalingas, the Asura changed into a deer and started worshipping the gods at the same spot. After seeing this devotion, the God in Ettumanoor lifted the deer and held him in that spot as a mark of appreciation. Since then the place came of be called as Udhruthaina Puram or Ettumanoor meaning the place where the deer was lifted.
Architecture of Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple boasts of a magnificent architecture and draws tourists in hordes to witness the marvel. Built in the ancient times, the temple was renovated in 1542 AD and is currently one of the richest temples in the state of Kerala. Beautiful Dravidian mural paintings adorn the interior and exterior walls of the temple; fresco of Pradosha Nritham (Dance of Shiva) is the most popular one displayed in the premises.
The inner sanctum houses the golden flagstaff, the top of which had the idol of bull surrounded by tiny tinker bells and leaves of banyan tree in metal. Boasting of 14 tops, the roofs are covered in elegant copper plates. And the deities of Bhagavati, Sastha, Ganapathy and Yakshi are also installed here. As per common belief, the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya wrote the famous Soundarya Lahari while staying here.
Festivals and Rituals at Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Arattu Festival is the most popular festival of the temple celebrated with a lot of zeal, on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in February?March every year. The annual festival lasts for 10 days and has major festivities and maximum crowd on the 8th and 10th day because of the display of elephants. Seven and a half in number, the elephants are exhibited in the complex which are made in pure gold, weigh close to 13 kilograms and are colloquially known as Ezharaponnana. Ezhara Ponnana darshan is the most important time of the festival when the elephants are displayed in the Asthana Mandapam at midnight for darshan by the devotees. These sculptures were donated to the temple by a travancore Maharaja besides other valuable possessions.
The most important ritual practised at the temple is Thulabharam when devotees make offerings to the gods in return of the favours received by them from the almighty. The child or the person for whom the prayers were seeked for, is weighed against the offerings which range from fruits to gold.
Ezharaponnana at Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Ezhara Ponnana refers to the seven and a half statuettes of the golden elephants safe vaulted in the temple premises. The eight statues are taken out annually during the Arattu festival for display. Ezhara meaning ?seven and a half? and Ponnana meaning ?golden elephants? have an interesting myth attached to it. One legend goes to say that it was presented to the temple by the founder of the Travancore kingdom called Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
Another story suggests that while Marthanda Varma promised to make the offerings, the elephants were actually donated during the reign of his successor Maharaja Karthika Thirunal. The reasons of the donations are also plenty. Some myths say that the elephants were given as compensation of the damages suffered by the temple during the annexation of Thekkumcore by Travancore. Some others say that the elephants were given when the army of Tipu Sultan was at the gates of Travancore to plunder it. Made in jackfruit wood, the elephants are covered in 13 kg of gold plates.
Dress Code at Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The temple follows a strict dress code. Both men and women are expected to dress modestly preferably in traditional Indian clothes. Men are made to take off their upper garments including their shirts and vests. Women should ideally be wearing traditional sarees or North Indian suits. In any case, their shoulders, arms and legs should be covered.
Best time to visit Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The best time to visit Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is during the months of February and March, at the time of the Arattu Festival. The premises come to life with clay lamps and festivities. You can be a part of the celebrations and the grand feast.
How to Reach Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The temple is located just 2 kms from the city railway station. You can take an auto, a private cab or travel in one of the state-run buses.
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