Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple:
Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple at Kaduthuruthy is situated in Kottayam District of Kerala. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva facing east. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala counted along with the Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple and Vadakkunathan temple.
Ettumanoor Shiva Temple:
Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is one of the most famous Shiva temples in Kerala.
The major worship in this temple is lighting of lamps. An ever glowing, very big lamp can be seen as soon as you enter the temple. The devotees pour oil on to this lamp. Lately, since the oil is being received more than needed for the lamp, a vessel has been kept near by where if the lamp is full, devotees can pour the oil they have brought into it.
The festival in this temple is celebrated in the month of Kumbham (February-March), and lasts for ten days. The Thiruvathira festival and Shivarathri are also celebrated in this temple.People refer the God in this temple as “Ettumanoor-appan”.
Ezharaponnana procession of this temple is very famous and draws thousands of devotees.
The annual festival of Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple lasts for 10 days which is usually celebrated in February/March. The 'Ezharaponnaana Ezhunallathu' during this festival is celebrated on the 8th day.
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple:
The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is located at Vaikom, Kottayam district in the state of Kerala.
The temple, along with Ettumanoor Shiva Temple, Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is considered a powerful trisome. The belief is that if a devotee worships at these three temples before 'Ucha pooja', all the wishes are fulfilled.
Myths says: Khara, an asura did severe penance; Lord Shiva, who was pleased by this gave him three idols. Khara carried the idols - one each in either hands and one by his neck. He got tired on his way back and put the idols down and rested a while. When he woke up, he realised that he could not pluck the idols out. These three idols, it is said, are the ones that are being worshiped at Vaikom, Kaduthuruthy and Ettumanoor in Kottayam district.
Khara, having attained moksha, entrusted saint Vyaghrapada with doing the pujas and rituals. The saint observed the rituals and did the pujas. Then, Parasurama arrived and he consecrated the idol at Vaikom making it popular among both Shaivaites and the Vaishnavaites.
