Temples in and around Ernakulam!

Ernakulathappan temple/Shiva temple:

Ernakulathappan temple is a famous Shiva temple located in the heart of the city, Ernakulam. This is one of the temples where deity is facing towards west. The 8 day long annual festival usually falls during January/February ( corresponding to the Malayalam month Makaram).

There are 3 temples in this temple premises
- a Shiva temple built by brahmins
- a Murugan temple built by tamil brahmins
- a Hanuman temple built by kannadigas

The history of the temple is as follows. Arjuna, who is a pandava performed asceticism to get Pasupathasthram. Pleased with Arjuna's devotion Shiva accompanied with Parvathi set out from their abode at Kailash to meet Arjuna. Shiva disguises himself as "Kiratha" before appearing in front of Arjuna. Just as Shiva appears before Arjuna he sees a wild boar charging towards Arjuna and shoots an arrow at the boar. Arjuna, who is an accomplished archer, also shoots an arrow at the boar. The boar who was in fact a demon named Mookasura in disguise is killed and his original form is revealed. However, a dispute arises between Arjuna and Kiratha as to who is the real killer of the animal. A battle took place between the two, ultimately resulting in Kiratha's victory over Arjuna.The vanquished Arjuna, unable to even stand up makes a Shiva Linga out the earth and performs a pooja offering flowers. To his surprise, he sees that the flowers he offers over the Shiva Linga is falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then realises that Kiratha is none other than Lord Shiva. Shiva, in his true form, along with Parvathi appears before Arjuna and blesses him. He also gifts him the divine arrow, the Pasupathastram.

Location:
Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam

Chottanikkara Devi temple:

Chottanikkara Devi Temple is a famous temple of goddess Lakshmi Devi known as Bhagavathi. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, Kochi. This is one of the most popular temples in the state. 

Lakshmi is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara along with Lord Vishnu. Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple in three different forms.  As Maha Saraswati in the morning, draped in white.  As Maha Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson.  And as Maha Kali in the evening, decked in blue. The other idols worshipped here are Lord Shiva,  Ganesha and Ayyappan.

The temple has two shrines which are known as Keezhkavu and Melkavu. Melkavu is the main shrine which houses the Mother Goddesses and Keezhkavu is dedicated to Bhadrakali which is located next to the temple's pond.

Devi is well-known for healing powers related to mental illness and disorders. People suffering from mental illness are brought here. Those cured of possession by demons and evil spirits drive a nail into the tree.

"MAKOM Thozhal" (worship on the Makom day) is the most important festival of the temple which is celebrated in the month of Kumbham. (Feb / March) It is believed that Bhagavathy in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darsan to the devotees in her special appearance.

It is believed that Shankaracharya who realised that there were no temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi in Kerala, headed straight to Chamundi Hills in Karnataka and began to meditate for the goddess to appear before him.  Pleased by his devotion, the goddess appears before him and enquirers about what he needs. Shankaracharya ask her to come to his home town in Kerala, so that the aged people can avoid travelling to far off places to worship.

After a lot of convincing, the goddess agreed to follow him wherever he went by foot on one condition that he should not to look back to check if she was following him or not. In case he happens to do so, she would stop there and would not move any further. Shankaracharya agreed and they begin walking, as they were walking down Kodachadri hills, the goddess decided to test Shankara and stopped the tinkling of her anklets.

The tinkling of the anklets was the only indication given to Shankaracharya that Goddess was following him. Shankaracharya waited for sometime and when he didn't hear the sound of her anklets he turned around to check on her. Disappointed the goddess stopped right there which is the present Kollur Mookambika Temple.

Realising his mistake, he apologises to the Goddess and repeatedly pleaded with her to go with him. After a long time the goddess comes to a compromise, she says that she would come to the Chottanikkara Temple in the early morning hours and bless her devotees and would return back to Kollur in the afternoon. Since then, the sanctum doors of Chottanikkara Temple open earlier than the Kollur Mookambika Temple and the Goddess is worshipped as Saraswathi clad in white.

Poornathrayeesa temple:

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple is one of the eminent temples in Kerala. Thripunithura is known for Poornatrayeesa temple. The presiding deity of this temple is Maha Vishnu, which is worshipped in the form of Santhanagopala Murthy. Here, Santhanagopalamoorthy means "savior of Infants" and the Lord Vishnu is found here in a sitting posture under the shade of five royal hoods of the divine serpant, Ananthan, whose folded body itself acts as the throne for the God. It's a unique posture which is completely different from other Vishnu temples where the Lord is usually found in a recumbent posture on the divine serpent. This is supposed to be the only temple in South India where one gets to view the ‘Poornatrayeesa’ form of lord Vishnu.

An old structure outside temple premises!

One of the attraction of the temple during festive season is the “pancharimelam,” which is a traditional temple art form accompanying the procession, with instruments like Chenda(is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala), Elathaalam(is a metallic musical instrument which resembles a miniature pair of cymbals) etc. Pancharimelam is famous in temples located at the southern part of Kerala.

Aarattu (the holy bath of the diety) after the annual festival of Sree Poornathrayeesa takes place at the temple pond of Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple, nearly half a kilometer North-East to Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.

There is a lamp called "Valia Vilakku” situated in front of the idol. Devotees consider the evershining “Valia Vilakku” was lighted by Arjuna. Burnt oil of this traditional lamp possesses great medicinal value. 

Location:

Poornathrayeesa temple, Kottakakam road, Thripunithura, Ernakulam 

Thrikkakkara Vamanamoorthi temple:

Thrikkakara Temple is  one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana. Lord Vamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The legend is closely linked with the story of Mahabali and Lord Vamana. Thrikkakara is considered to be the capital of Mahabali’s Kingdom.

The traditional festival of Kerala - Onam historically too related with this temple. The 10 day long annual festival in this temple is held in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Augest - September). The festival begins with kodiyettu(flag hoisting) on Atham day and ends with arattu on Thiruvonam day. Athachamayam at Tripunithura is a triumphant march from Tripunithura to the Vamana Temple at Thrikkakara to attend the kodiyettu ceremony. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja would head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple. The Onasadya or the Onam feast will be held on Thiruvonam day in a grand manner in the temple. Another celebration called Pakalpooram is a grand procession held on the  9th day of the celebration. 

In this temple there are two seperate sreekovils for Lord Vamana and Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in this temple is believed to be worshiped by Mahabali himself and is situated on the southern side of Vamana shrine. Devotees must visit the Shiva shrine before visiting Vamana shrine.

The temple pond in the northern side is called Kapila Theertham and is considered holy. Only the temple priests are allowed to enter into this pond compound. 

The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Location:

Edappally - Pukkattupady Road, Vidya Nagar Colony, Thrikkakara, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala

Aluva manappuram Mahadeva Temple:

Located on the banks of Periyar river, Manappuram Mahadeva Temple or Aluva Shiva Temple is one of the famous Shiva temples in Kerala. During rainy season the water reaches till the roof top of the temple and idol will be submerged in water. 

Karkidaka Vavu Bali, is the sacrificial ritual performed in memory of the departed souls of ancestors. On the day of vavu or Amavasi (no moon day) in the Malayalam calendar month of Karkidakam (which falls in July- August), Hindus gather on the riverbanks and beaches to offer Bali. 

Another famous festival is Aluva Sivarathri festival during which time there be many stalls set up and there will also be many adventure rides for kids. 

It is believed that a swayambhoo idol emerged out of Periyar in Treta Yuga. The river branches into two at the point where the idol surfaced. According to the legends, Lord Rama and Lakshmana did the last rites to lord Jatayu, the master bird that died defending Sita from the hands of Ravana, here. While they were performing the rites, Lord Siva appeared as the swayambhoo idol and said that his presence will always be here on the banks of Periyar

Edappally Ganapathy temple:

Mahaganapathy Temple is one of the famous Ganapathy temples in the state visited by devotees from all over the state. The temple is part of Edappaly Kottaram. The deity here is the patron deity of the Edappally Royal Family. Visiting time in the morning is between 5.00AM to 7.30AM. The members of Edappally royal family worship after these hours, since it is their family temple. During the evening time also the temple is kept opened. 

Lord Ganesha is believed to be an elephant-headed god who is the remover of impediments.

House of Doves inside temple premises !

No enormous celebration is connected with Edappally Mahaganapathy Temple. The Udayasthamana Pooja in this sanctuary is exceptionally popular.

Koottappam is a famous offerings in this temple which is nothing but a sweet made of rice and jaggery which is deep fried in ghee. You have to book well in advance to get this offering. We waited for 3 months to get it.