Located about 10 km from Kottayam to Kumarakom, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is a sacred and revered Hindu place. Regarded as the oldest temple in the state of Kerala, it is believed that this temple was a common place of worship for Pandavas and Sage Vyasa in ancient times. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the sanctuary is popular for its spectacular murals, magnificent frescoes and excellent 16th-century wood carvings, taken from the classic epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. The old lamp at the entrance of the temple is fed daily with oil by the devotees; it was thought that it had ignited 450 years ago and had been burning ever since. The name of the place has its origin in the word ‘manoor’, which means the land of deer.
Renovated in 1542 (717 ME), the sanctuary is famous for its magnificent gopuram (tower of the monumental house), its roofs covered with copper plates, its gold flagstaff and its impressive murals. The temple premises consist of a Sanctorum sanctuary, the main idol of Lord Shiva and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganapathi and Lord Shasta. One of Kerala’s richest Devaswoms, this temple is filled with tourists and pilgrims throughout the year. However, it comes alive literally during the great festival of Arattu which is held from February to March.
Every year Aarattu festival is celebrated on Thiruvathira day in the month of February-March and is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Timings:
Morning: 4.00 AM to 11.45 AM
Evening: 5.00 PM to 7.45 PM
The Temple Entry is Free.
Ettumanoor Shiva Temple Pooja Timings:
Nirmalyam (നിർമ്മാല്യം) 4.00 AM
Abhishekam (അഭിഷേകം) 4.20 AM
Madhavipallipooja (മാധവിപള്ളിപൂജ ) 5.45 AM
Ethrithpooja (എതൃത്തപൂജ) 6.15 AM
Shribali (ശ്രീബലി) 6.45 AM
Pandheeradipooja (പന്തീരടിപൂജ) 8.00 AM
Dhara,Kalasham (ധാര ,കലശം) 10.30 AM
Uchapooja (ഉച്ചപൂജ) 11.15 AM
UchaShribali (ഉച്ചശ്രീബലി) 11.45 AM
ada thurakkal (നട തുറക്കൽ) 5.00 PM
Dheeparadhana (ദീപാരാധന) 6.20 PM
Athazhapooja (അത്താഴപൂജ) 7.15 PM
Athazha shribali (അത്താഴശ്രീബലി) 7.45 PM
Note: There will be changes in pooja timings during Chathashatham, Ayiramkudam Abhishekham, Udhayasthamana Pooja, Utsavam and Grahanam.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Ezhara Ponnana:
Ezhara Ponnana refers to the seven and a half statues of golden elephants that are safe on temple premises. The eight statues are released each year during the Arattu festival to display them. Ezhara means “seven and a half years” and Ponnana means “golden elephants” with an interesting myth. A legend says that it was presented to the temple by the founder of the kingdom of Travancore, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
Another story says that, although Marthanda Varma promised to make the offerings, the elephants were donated during the reign of his successor, Maharaja Karthika Thirunal. The reasons for donations are also numerous. Some myths say that elephants were compensated for the damage done to the temple during the annexation of Thekkumcore by Travancore. Others say that elephants were given when Tipu Sultan’s army was at the gates of Travancore to loot them. Made of jackfruit wood, the elephants are covered with 13 kg of gold plates.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple History:
Roopavathi was the daughter of the yaksha, Manikandaran. She got attached to a thapasan, Deekshathamas, once he was traveling through the forest, but he refused to be with her. she was cursed by the saint. Roopavathi begged for forgiveness. The saint asked her to seek Naradamaharshi for moksha. She went over to the Himalayas and started meditating as told by Narada.
Goddess Parvati appeared before her and freed her from the curse, brought her to Kailasam and made her Parvati’s maid. Parvati was sad as her husband Lord Shiva left Kailasam for Ettumanorr and he was known there as Panchakashari Moorthi. Parvati refused to live with Ganga in Kailsam and left for Ettumanoor with Roopavathi, Bhoothaganam, daughter Badrakali and sons Lord Ayyappa and Ganapathi. Lord Shiva was glad and welcomed them with a valiyavilakku. Parvati lit the lamp herself and was acknowledged by her husband and used the thick black ash in the lamp to line her eyes.
Vrishabha was placed in the Mandapam. Goddess Badrakali was placed in the Vadakkethoonu, Shasthavu at Vadakku, Roopavati at Kizakkuthoonu by Goddess Parvati. Shudhapanchakashari Moorthi becomes Shakthipanchakshari Moorthi! Parvati and Shiva attained unity. Lord Ganapati was placed at Thazhe Thekku.
Lord Ganapati, Goddess Bhagavathy, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Sastha and Yakshi are some of the other deities in the temple.
Shiva is worshipped in three forms. In the morning as Ardhanareeshwara, in the afternoons as Kirathamoorthi and in the evening as Samhararudra.
Ettumanoor Siva Temple Dress Code:
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple temple follows a strict dress code for the devotees.
The dress code for men is Dhoti with or without Angavastra.
The dress codes for women are Sarees, half Sarees, Dhoties, Salavar or Pavadas with blouses or other coverings as appropriate to their age.
Note: Modern dresses like trousers and short skirts are not allowed. Girls below 12 years may wear gowns. No other types of dress should not be worn or taken inside the temple.
Ettumanoor Temple Significance:
Thulabharam is one of the most important rites in the temple. People make offerings to God in return for blessings. People will balance the child or man for whom God has provided offerings with anything from gold to fruit. So people can balance according to their financial capacity.
The seven and a half golden elephants known as Ezhara Ponnana are kept in the vault of the temple and are taken out once a year for worshipers to view. The eight statuettes, seven of which are two feet tall and the eighth half as high (hence the name Ezhara (seven and a half) Ponnana (Golden Elephant), have a long history. According to mythology, it was donated to the temple by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the founder of the Travancore Empire.
How to Reach Mahadeva Temple:
By Road:
Ettumanoor is located 4 km from Athirampuzha. The temple is well connected by roads. Buses, rickshaws and taxis are available almost all the time to get to the temple.
By Rail:
The nearest railway Station is Ettumanoor Railway station which is 2 km from the temple.
By Air:
The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport which is 77 km from the temple.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Address:
Ettumanoor Temple Road,
Kottayam,
Ettumanoor,
Kerala 686631
Phone: 0481 271 9375
