Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple situated in the heart of Kottayam city is one of the 108 revered Shivalayas in central Kerala. The temple is about 500 years old and was built by the Thekkumkoor raja.

It also preserves several unique sculptures and murals of various Hindu deities. A common belief is that the idol of Shiva here is installed by sage Parashurama himself. The Thekkukkoor royal family considered the idol as their paradevatha (tutelary deity) in the form of “Thirunakkara thevar. 

Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the heart of Kottayam city on a hill known as “Nakkara Kunnu“of Kerala. This temple is one of the most revered Siva temples in central Kerala.

The Temple was constructed five centuries ago by one of the native kings called the ‘Thekkumkoor Raja’ who ruled from Thalikkotta, west templeof the present city. The Siva Linga in the temple is about six inches in height and to the left of it stands a small idol of Goddess Parvathy as well. There is a massive stone that surrounds the temple and is beautifully carved in Kerala Style Architecture. The Painkuni festival conducted during the first ten days of the Malayalam month Meenam (usually 14th to 23rd March) is the main festival of the Temple.

Architecture

The temple situated in the heart of Kottayam city is built in the traditional architectural styles of Kerala. The first entrance to the temple includes a small temple for lord Ganapathi which was built recently. After crossing the entrance, we could see the big ground leading to the holy steps of the temple. There is a banyan tree on the steps which is considered sacred by the devotees. The Aanakottil and Kodimaram is placed close to the eastern entrance. The Kodimaram built-in 1960 is only 42 feet long. To the side of Kodimaram lies the Balikkalpuras. Like that in Guruvayoor temple, one could clearly see the idol of the chief deity from the main entrance itself.

The whole temple complex occupies about 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land which is rich in many trees and plants. One of the largest Koothambalams in Kerala is in this temple situated in the southeast corner. The temple has shrines for various sub-deities in different locations. The southeast entrance constitutes of the shrines of lord Ayyappa and Ganesha. Naga pratishtas are also close to these shrines. In the northwest section, there is a Chethi (Jungle flame) flower, commonly seen in many Hindu shrines across Kerala. The eastern section includes the shrines of lord Subhramaniya and Durga and the northeast section has the installation of Brahmarakshaswhich is according to the myths the soul of a priest assassinated inside the temple.

Legend / Local stories

Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple is more than 500 years old temple. The temple is noteworthy for its traditional architecture and outstanding murals. Situated on the Tirunakkara hill in the very heart of Kottayam town, is the famous lord Siva temple built by a king of the Tokkumkoor royal family which reigned over these parts before they were subjugated by the erstwhile Travancore State ruler.

The Koothambalam at Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, a building to stage various temple art forms, is one of the best in Kerala. During the annual festival, many folk art forms like Mayilattom and Velakali are presented on the temple premises. Another major attraction of the festival is the Kathakali performance.

According to the legends, once upon a time, Kottayam was ruled by Thekkumkoor kings. One of the kings from the Thekkumkoor dynasty was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and used to visit the Vadakkunathan temple at Trichur every month. Many years passed, and the king could not undertake the journey due to old age. The king was very sad that he cannot see the Lord. Later, the King had a dream of Lord Shiva, telling him to not worry and that the Lord would accompany the King to Kottayam. According to the legends, the King happened to meet a Brahmin priest in Vaikom belonging to the Pereparambu family. The Brahmin accompanied the king to Kottayam.  The Brahmin was able to recover a Shiva Linga in a place called Samiyar Madam. According to the advice of the Brahmin, the king built a temple for this Linga.

Thirunakkara Arattu Utsavam

Kerala has always been quoted as God’s own country; its lush green surroundings give a cool and soothing sight to everyone. There is harmony among all the communities of the state. Its rich culture and heritage are a pleasure.

Kerala is the land of high festivities and cheer. Many festivals are celebrated in this beautiful land. One of the famous temple festivals, Thirunakkara arattu is celebrated at Thirunakkara Mahaeva Temple located in the heart of the Kottayam district of Kerala. Mahadeva is the presiding deity of the temple.

The passionate celebration continues for ten days and concludes with the bathing ceremony of lord Mahadeva called ‘ARATTU’.

A string of nine majestically ornamented and decorated elephants accompany the idol of the lord Mahadeva for bathing in the noon.

They are accompanied by drummers and a dancing flock of people.

The mystic traditional dance of Kerala, Kathakali forms an important part of the celebrations. The beautifully and colorfully dressed and masked Kathakali dancers perform all night long on the third and fourth nights.

Other dances like Mayilattom (peacock dance), Velakali, and motif processions are also showcased in the temple compound.

The fêted Mahadeva Temple is situated on the Thirunakkara Hill of Kottayam town and is one of the important Shiva temples famous for its historical importance, antiquity, sanctity, and also for its magnificent traditional architecture.

The grand festival "Arattu Utsavam" starts on the 1st day of the Meenam month of the Malayalam calendar. That falls in March-April of the Gregorian calendar.

Thousands of people, irrespective of caste or creed attend this festival.

Various industrial and agricultural products are displayed and traded in the shops of the fair held in connection with the Utsavam. The cultural programs and variety of entertainments staged during the festive days are the highlights of the festival.

Time for Celebration

The grand festival "Arattu Utsavam" starts on the 1st day of the Meenam month of the Malayalam calendar. That falls in March-April of the Gregorian calendar. Thousands of people, irrespective of caste or creed attend this festival.

References:

bharattemples.com