Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Timings, Festivals, Daily Pooja

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest and famous temple, situated in Allappuzha dist. (Kerala). It is a sprawling temple complex with a circular Sanctum. Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi are the main investitures of this temple. Differing from other temples, there are two main Shrines in this temple. Lord Shiva facing East and Devi facing West. The main shrine is a conical copper plated one. Devi’s main Idol is made with an alloy of five metals (PANCHALOHAM). The Shivalingam, is covered with a gold plate bearing an image of Ardhanareeswara – or the Shiva-Shakti manifestation of Shiva.
The other sub-investitures of the temple are Ganapathi, Shasta (Lord Ayyappan), Chandikeswaran, Neelagrivan, Ganga, and Naagar. There is also a shrine of SreeKrishna nearby.

The temple was constructed centuries back in accordance with an architectural design evolved by the famous Perunthachan. In the 18th Century the temple complex was damaged by fire and renovated later by Vanghipuzha Thampuran except the KUTHAMBALAM (Performance Hall). This could not be restored to its original position as it had been designed and constructed by Perunthachan. The structure of the Kuthambalam originally constructed by Perunthachan was in such a manner that the shadow of the performer would not fall on the stage if all the lamps were lit on each of the post of the Kuthambalam. The mukhamandapam in front of the temple and other mandapams in this temple are full of exquisite woodwork.

Compared to other temples, this temple has a peculiarity of its own, quiet distinct from other temples. The interesting belief and festival of this Temple is Triputharattu which is considered as a symbol of fertility. This festival is connected with a menstruation ceremony, which is observed periodically in the temple. That is why this temple is also considered as Shakthi Peedam.

Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Pooja Timings:

Ravile Palli Unarthal 03:50 AM
Nadathurakkal 04:30 AM
Abhishekam 05:00 to 05:30 AM
Ganapathi Homam 05:30 AM
Usha pooja 05:45 to 07:00 AM
Sree Bali 07:30 AM
Panthiradi Pooja 08:30 AM
Mrithyunjaya Homam 09:30 AM
Navakam Kalasha Pooja 10:00 AM
Ucha Pooja 11:00 AM
Nada Adakunna Samayam 11:30 AM
Vaaikittu Nada Thurakunna Samayam 05:00 PM
Deeparadhana 06:30 to 07:00 PM
Athazha Pooja 07:30 PM
Sree Bali(Nada Adakkunu) 08:00 PM

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Dress Code:

Men should wear Dhotis/Mundu and remove shirts/t-shirts. Women should wear Indian traditional clothing.

Legends of Chengannur Mahadevar Temple:

The Legends in connection with the origin of this temple are,
1) Self Immolation of Devi Sathi
2) Divine Marriage of Shiva Parvathi
3) Penance of Kannaki Devi after Killing the King of Madurai

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Customs:

The Oath at Padinjare (Western) Nada

In early days there was a belief and custom related to a hole in the western gopuram (entrance) of this temple. The belief was that if anybody makes a false oath by putting his hand in that hole will be bitten by a holy snake.

The story related to this belief is like this. There was a Brahmin family named “Muringoor” in chengannur and were very famous for ‘Visha chikitsa”. They were the deep devotees of chengannur devi. Their name spread all over kerala and southern part of India. One day an ‘Alwar’ came to chengannur and his main aim was to challenge and conquer the Muringoor family. At that time a boy of 12 years was the only male person of Muringoor family. He was not able to accept the challenge of this Alwar. So he became very sad and prayed to chengannur devi. On that day, he got a vision in his dream telling that there is a brass pipe inside the ‘Ara’ which contains a snake. This snake will be under the control of boy and move according to his wish. He took this pipe in front of the Alwar and asked him to take the snake out with his magical power. The Alwar tried his best to control the snake but failed. The snake now become furious and tried to attack the Alwar. The Alwar pleaded the boy to control the snake and the boy controlled the snake with his prays and sealed it again in that pipe. Later the boy made a hole on the walls of Western Gopura and put the holy snake into that hole. He told the people that if any body tells a lie by putting his hand in this hole, will be bitten by the snake.

Viewing the tip of the Sree Kovil:

The boy buried the medicines and instruments of Alwar in a hole, very close to the koothambalam, at the south side. Those who view the tip of the sreekovil by standing on it and pray lord shiva don’t have to fear about snake bite for one day.

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple History:

The place where the Chengannur temple is situated was said to be under the control of Vanghipuzha Thampuran.

This place was leased to one Nayanaru Pillai. One day while the maid servant (Kurathi) of Nayanaru Pillai,was working in this place, she saw blood coming from a stone on which she was sharpening her weapon. This fact was reported to Nayanaru Pillai and Vanghipuzha Thampuran.

Vanghipuzha Thampuran on the advice of Thazhaman Potty showered 36 para (measurement in Malayalam) of Neyy (Ghee) on that stone in order to stop the blood.

The Thampuran in consultation with Thazhaman Potty and other veteran Brahmins decided to construct a temple there. Based on the plan of Perunthachan, a famous and respected Thachan (carpenter), the temple except the kuthambalam was constructed. Though the temple was constructed in accordance with the plan of Perunthachan, the kuthambalam could not be constructed by any of them. The whole kuthambalam was constructed under the guidance of Perunthachan. The structure of the Kuthambalam originally constructed by Perunthachan was in such a manner that the shadow of the performer would not fall on the stage if all the lamps were lit on each of the post of the kuthambalam.

On completion of the construction of temple and kuthambalam the Thampuran requested Perunthachan to make an idol of Devi. He pointed out a place and asked the workers to dig that place. On digging an idol of Parvathi Devi was found and this idol has investiture at the nearest auspicious occasion.

After some years Perunthachan Visited the place again and informed Thazhaman Potty that the temple would be destroyed in fire in due course and Idol of Devi would be destroyed. He also gave an Idol of Devi made up of an alloy of five metals ( Panchaloham ) and asked him to keep a record of what he said. The Potty did accordingly. After some years the prediction of Perunthachan become true.

The temple was renovated after the fire and Devi’s Idol had been taken from the river with the help of some fishermen (Arayas) of Karunagappalli, as recorded in the Grandha written by Thazhaman Potty. As a mark of joy thampuran gave fruits and tender coconuts to those arayas at the temple. This happened on a Shivarathri and now also this day is celebrated with the same tradition.

Tiruchenkunroor is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur region of Kerala, connected with Mahabharat. Nammalwar describes Chenkunrur as a town where the smoke emanating from the vedic ritual yagnas fills the sky and as a place surrounded by rich lush vegetation. (of bananas and coconuts). Legend has it that Yuddhishtra offered prayers to Vishnu, seeking pardon for his act on the battlefield, where he uttered the words `Ashwattaama hatah kunjaraha` in an attempt to deceive Drona and lead him into a defenseless state where Arjuna brought Drona`s life to an end.

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Yearly Festivals:

1. Main Festival (Varshikotsavam):

The 28 Days long Annual festival is the specialty of this temple. The main ultsavam (Annual festival) begins on ‘Thiruvathira’ of ‘Dhanu’ (month in Malayalam Era) and ends on ‘Thiruvathira’ of ‘Makaram’. Special poojas will be there during these days. This festival attracts thousands of people from different locations in Kerala and also outside the state.

2. Shivaratri:

Shivrathri is another important festival of this temple. Shivrathri is an important day for all devotees of lord Shiva. A large crowd assembles here in this festival. Arayas of Alappattu in Karunagappalli, comes here on this day and performs poojas and vazhipads. This custom was started centuries before in connection with the renovation of the temple.

3. Thulasamkrama Neyyattu (Ghee Abhishekam):

This holy event is conducted on every 1st day of Thulam (month in Malayalam Era). On this day 36 paras (measurement in Malayalam) of Neyy (Ghee) will be showered on the ‘Shivalingam’. This tradition was started in connection with the finding of the shivalingam. The ghee is collected from devotees and normally gets more than hundreds of ‘Paras’ as offerings.

4. Chitra Pournami:

Chitra Pournami is another important festival at this temple. This is an important day for the devotees of Devi. Special poojas are conducted on this day.

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Special Festival:

Thriputharattu is the famous and interesting festivals of this temple. It is quiet extra ordinary and only celebrated in this temple. This festival is connected with a menstruation ceremony, which is observed periodically in the temple. The sign is observed on the vesture (UDAYADA) of Devi. This vesture is removed by the Main Priest (Melsanthi) every morning and examines. If he feels any signs of Thriputhu (Period) he hands over the vesture to Devasom Officials. This should be got Confirmed by the abbess (senior women) of the Thazhaman and Vanghipuzha convents (Maddam). If it is confirmed by the abbess, Devi’s shrine will be closed and worships will be offered to a processional image in a different shrine else where in the temple.

On the forth day of the festival the Devi’s Idol is taken to the near by river and Arrattu is conducted. This Arrattu is known as Thriputharattu. After this Devi is taken back to the temple on an elephant. When the procession reaches Nalambalam (In front of the main Entrance), Bhagvan will be waiting there on an elephant in a procession. They together encircle the temple three rounds (PRADAKSHINAM) around the temple with procession. After that Lord Shiva will lead to the shrine through Eastern side and Devi will lead to the shrine through Western side.

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Daily Pooja’s:

Ganapathy Homam
Bhagavathy Seva
Shangabhishekam
Rektha Pushpanjali
Jaladhara
Rudrabhishekam
Ksheera Dhara
Muzhukappu
Mrithyunjaya Homam
Karuka Homam
Nagarkku Aayilyam
Nirapara
Swayamvara Pushpanjali
Ashtothararchana
Swayamvararchana
Sahasranamarchana
Thrissathi Archana
Thattam Nivedyam
Neeranjanam
Kalakabhishekam
Abhishekam
Mala Charthu
Adithya Namaskaram
Chirappu
Thakidu Pooja
Chardu Pooja

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Special Pooja’s:

Choroonu
Thulabharam
Udayada Charthu
Sabarimala Kettu Niraykal
Vidyarambham
Adima
Thali Mala
Vivaham

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Offerings & Prasadams:

Payasam 1/4 Liter
Aravana
Vella Nivedyam 1/4 Liter
Appam
Palpayasam 1/4 Liter
Thrimadhuram

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Near by Temples:

Kunnathumala Mahadeva Temple
Aranmula Sreekrishna Temple
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
Puliyoor Sreekrishna Temple
Thiruvanvandoor Sreekrishna Temple
Thrichitat Sreekrishna Temple
Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple
Thiruvalla Sreevallabhaswami Temple
Sasthamkulangara (Chathankulangara) Temple

How to Reach Chengannur Mahadevar Temple:

Chengannur situates at the extreme east part of Alappuzha district. It lies between Thiruvalla and Pandalam in MC Road and between Thiruvalla and Mavelikkara in Railway line.
It is 117kms north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the Main Central Road (MC Road).
Chengannur Mahadeva Temple is only 1 km away from both Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Stand.

Chengannur Mahadevar Temple Address:

Main Central Road,
Chengannur,
Alappuzha district,
Kerala 689121.