Trikkur Mahadeva Temple is a rock-cut cave temple in Trikkur village in Thrissur District in Kerala believed to have been built in the 7th or 8th century. The temple was originally a Jain temple. It is a protected monument under the Department of Archaeology, Govt of Kerala since 1966. The temple and its premises are now owned by Paliyam Trust which is managed by Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti.
Trikkur Mahadeva Temple Timings:
Morning: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Trikkur Siva Temple History:
Trikkur is located on the banks of the Manali River, about 10 km north-east of Thrichur. The Trikkur Mahadeva Temple is located about 200 m above sea level. In this temple, Shiva resides as Syambhoo. The majestically beautiful deity is more than six feet tall and more than two feet wide.
The Sanctum Sanctum is located inside a cave twelve feet long and eight feet wide. The cave opens to the north. In front of the sanctum sanctorum, there is a Mugha mandapa, entirely carved in the rock. Although the deity looks east during Darshan, the devotees can only see the right side of the Linga. (“Parshwa Darshan”.)
It is believed that the temple was created by the Lord Agni the Lord of Fire. It is also believed that Agni resides eternally with Lord Shiva. For this reason, the Ezhunnellath (the accompaniment of divinity outside the temple) is never done on rainy days or on days when the atmosphere is cloudy.
The goddess Parvathi also resides perpetually in Lord Shiva, personifying knowledge. Lord Ganapathi is carved on the wall of the cave towards the west side of the sanctuary. On the east side are two Dwarapalakas and in the Mugha Mandapa, there is a Saalagrama, which would have a huge Chaithanya Vaishnava.
The rock-laden soil and the Namasakara Mandapa, built from sixteen rock pillars, present a large number of beautiful sculptures. To the north of the temple is a hall where Saraswati Pooja and Chakyar Koothu are led during Navratri and Utsavas respectively.
It is also believed that this temple was first found by a person, belonging to a class considered untouchable in those days. He had been searching for his cow that had gone grazing when he chanced upon this cave. He found the cow in the cave along with the magnificent form of Lord Shiva. He immediately ran and reported this to his master, a Namboodiri.
The Namboodiri, seeing the magnificent form of the Lord manifested in the cave, performed poojas to him. A floor has been erected in front of the temple, in memory of the man who had first sighted this temple. In the Utsava times, it is on this floor, that Kurathiyattam is performed. Since it was here that the temple was sighted – the village was named Dhrukpuram. (Dhrushti – sight) . Over time, the word Dhrukpuram shortened to Trikkur, goes the myth.
Mahadeva Temple Prayer Procedure:
All devotees should begin their worship by bowing to the Dhwajasthamba. Above the Dwajasthamba, there is a Ganapathi Idol who is worshipped next, whether from below or, if one has the ability, to climb the rock.
Then they should pray to the Sapthamatrikas and continue to circumambulate to the southwest corner and pray at Nagayakshi and Nagaraja. After that, they must go around Nada North and pray Ganapathi / Sastha / Anthimahakalan / Bhadrakali / Bhagavathi / Chamundi, all close to each other in the northeastern part of the temple.
On their way to the main shrine, the devotees should pray to Lord Shiva, surround the Mandapa, give a silent prayer to Lord Ganesha, return to the main shrine and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva again.
Mahadeva Temple Uniqueness:
Many temples around the country offer comfort and relief to various problems. The unique characteristic of Trikkur Mahadeva Temple is that it provides relief to people with breathing difficulties such as asthma and breathlessness. The method used to get rid of these ailments is also unique.
Trikkur Mahadeva Temple Kayar Vazhipaadu (The Rope Offering):
The ropes are offered at the feet of the Lord or in the form of Thulabhara rope (which offers a rope equivalent to the weight of the person). It is said that Kayar Vazhipadu/Pooja has divine powers to cure asthma and people from different religions and castes come to this temple to offer Kayar Vazhipaadu to the Lord and heal respiratory diseases. This healing method is called “Daiva Vyaapaashraya Chikitsa” in Ayurveda. The Chechimaar in the temple also mentioned that if one paid 500 rupees for this offering, then the Kayar Vazhipaadu would be done in his name for twelve years.
A look at the yards of rope in the temple one could well imagine the number of people who offered such rope to be rid of breathing difficulties. Apart from the Rope Thulabhara which is the most popular form of offering, devotees also offer Dhara (Abhishekam) of 108 and 1008 pots of water at noon, once they have been cured.
Lord Shiva loves Vilvam (Bilwa / Koovaram). Offering Pushpanjali with fifty-one leaves of Vilva is also another way to express gratitude after healing. Karuka Homam or lighting Pin Vilaku (lamp behind the Lord) is also done apart from Kayar Vazhibadu.
The sacrificial stones (balikallu) and the flag pole (Kodimaram) are situated to the right of the temple. Ganapathi, Sastha, Antimahakalan, Kaali, Bhagavathi, and Chaamundi are all found at different spots on the hillock. The Saptamatrikas are housed in what is called a Matrusaala. This concept and architecture of Maatrusala are found very rarely in Kerala. In the southwest corner, the Naga deities are also housed.
At the top of the rock, there is a miniature well, with a constant and natural water supply. This is called the Theertha well, although almost no one uses the water in this well. Even in the hottest summers, this well never goes down miraculously or never dries.
There are many rock carvings in this temple, closely associated with the Jain religion. It is said that many Jain saints suffered their penance on this hill before becoming a Saivaite temple.
Trikkur Shiva Temple Festivals Celebrated:
Various festivals such as Thiruvathira, Mahashivaratri, Navaratri, and Pradosha Puja are celebrated with great pomp in this temple and people from different parts of the world come to this small village to participate in the celebrations and obtain the blessings of Lord Thrikkurappan.
Mahadeva Temple Address:
Trikkur Mahadeva Kshetram,
Trikkur,
Thrissur,
Kerala 680306.
Phone Number: 0487- 2359500
Email: trikkurmahadevan@gmail.com