Trikandiyur Shiva Temple is a must-visit pilgrim center in North Kerala that attracts devotees from many places. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, considered being one of the eight Viraattanams or Avadharams of Lord Shiva and is located at Triprangode, near, Malappuram, Kerala. The idol of this ancient temple is believed to be installed by Sage Parasurama, the creator of Kerala. A few other temples are there surrounding this Shiva Temple such as a Sri Krishna temple, Ambalakulangare temple and a Lord Ayyapan temple. The main festival of the temple is Vaavulsavam. Many devotees and worshippers visit this temple during the festival times.
Kokila Sandeśa of Uddanta Sanstrikal (15th century) mentions Triprangode among other major destinations in the region. Inscriptions of the Later Chera ruler Goda Ravi Varma (10th century) were discovered from the Triprangode Siva Temple. Later, the region formed a part of the Kingdom of Tanur (Vettathunad), who were the vassals of the Zamorins of Calicut. The main army led by the Zamorin camped at Triprangode during the Thirunavaya Wars of the 14th century. The premises of the temple have holy trees like Pinchilam, which is believed to be 2,000 years old and bael tree, also known as Vilvam tree.
Trikandiyur Shiva Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Evening: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Trikandiyur Shiva Temple History:
Long ago, there lived a sage called Mrikandu with his wife Marudvati. Both were devotees of Shiva (He is the Eternal Lord. He is the Ruler of time Mahakaleshvara the Originator of time (Mahakala) and Destroyer of time (Kalari) or Kalasamhara Murti). The couple was childless, and so decided to perform austerity rituals so they would be blessed with a child. Then one day, Shiva appeared before them, Shiva asked the couple if they desired an ordinary and mentally disabled son who would live a long life or an exceptional son who would live a short life up until the age of sixteen. The couple chose the second kind. In due course, Marudvati gave birth to a boy and the child was named Markandeya. Markandeya was an exceptionally gifted child and became an accomplished sage early in his childhood. He was especially devoted to Shiva and had mastered the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. As the boy was getting on to be sixteen, Rishi Mrikandu and his wife became sad. Noticing this Markandeya enquired about their sadness and they replied that at the age of sixteen, his time on this earth will come to an end, and so Yama, came to take his life away. The boy, Markandeya then ran to Lord Mahavishnu (the preserver) but he was helpless and he directed him to Triprangottappan (Lord Shiva). On the way to Triprangode temple, there was a huge banyan tree that stood by making the difficulty entering into the temple. At the time he reached there surprisingly the tree separated into two parts and then he could easily enter into the temple. Markandeya hugged the Shiva Lingam and requested Lord Shiva to protect him from Yama. Yama threw his noose around the boy-sage; it encircled the Shiva Lingam too.
At a blow, the Shiva Lingam burst open with a thundering roar and a majestic, fiery form of Lord Shiva appeared out of the blazing light. Lord Shiva was very angry and asked whether Yama has this much courage to encircle the Shiva Lingam with his noose, Shiva struck down Yama with his Trident (trishool), and Yama was no more. Markandeya was escaped from death. Shiva blessed Markandeya with eternal life and proclaimed that he shall remain forever as a sixteen-year-old sage. The assembly of Devas, who had witnessed all these, begged Shiva to revive Yama. Otherwise, there will be a situation in the world with people live long without death. This would put an unnecessary burden on the earth. Shiva then revived Yama and declared that His devotees were forever to be spared from the noose of Yama. Since that day, the fiery form of Shiva that appeared to save the boy-sage Markandeya is called Kalasamhara Murti.
Trikandiyur Shiva Temple Sub Deity:
Sage Parasurama
Anthimahakalan
Ayyappan
Naagam
Sri Maha Vishnu
Lord Ganapathi
Trikandiyur Mahadeva Temple Dress Code:
For Men: Dhoti or Mundu without shirts or banyan.
For Women’s: Saree with blouse/ Punjabi Dress with Dupatta / Chudidhar with Dupatta/ Half saree.
Note:
How to reach Trikandiyur Shiva Temple:
By Air:
Kozhikode International Airport is only 26 kilometers from this temple.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Tirur, about 2 km away
By Road:
Major Bust Terminal is Tirur Municipal Bus Stand
Trikandiyur Shiva Temple Address:
Trikkandiyoor,
Tirur,
Malappuram,
Kerala – 676104.