Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple: A Historic Shrine in Kerala
September 20, 2023, 17:30 IST
Kottayam, Kerala: Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple, also known as Thaliyil Shiva Temple, stands as one of the prominent Shiva Temples in Kottayam, Kerala. This temple was built by the demon Khara, along with the Ettumanoor and Vaikom temple shrines. The presence of idols from Ettumanoor Shiva and Vaikom shrines in Kaduthuruthy Temple adds to its significance. It is believed that visiting this temple before noon is more auspicious than visiting all three Shiva temples in Vaikom, Kaduthurthy, and Ettumanoor on the same day.
The history of Kaduthuruthy Temple is intertwined with the great epic Ramayana. According to legend, Kharasura, who is mentioned in Ramayana, installed the Shiva lingam in this temple. As a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, he underwent rigorous penance at Chindambaram. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him a boon of three lingams.
Kharasura traveled south while carrying two Shiva lingams in his hands and one in his mouth. He rested at three places – Vaikom, Ettumanoor, and finally Kaduthuruthy – due to the weight of the lingams. The lingam that he carried in his mouth was placed in Kaduthuruthy, giving the temple its name. In Malayalam, “Kadichu” means bite and “thuruthy” means to place.
Under the Vadakkumkoor dynasty, the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple flourished. However, around 300 years ago, a devastating fire engulfed the temple, sparing only the mandapam with its exquisite carvings. The chief priest, valiantly protecting the idol, clasped it to his chest and succumbed to the fire. Today, the idol of the chief priest is erected at the northern part of the shrine.
Another fascinating aspect of the temple’s history involves a king from the Vadakkumkoor dynasty. He used to worship the three deities at Kaduthuruthy, Vaikom, and Ettumanoor on the same day. However, as he aged, he was unable to visit all three temples. Consequently, he arranged for replicas of the deities from Vaikom and Ettumanoor to be installed at the Kaduthuruthy temple.
In later years, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai played a crucial role in reviving the 28-day-long festival at the temple. Her efforts also brought orderliness and punctuality to the temple observances. After the Vadakkumkoor dynasty merged into Travancore, the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple fell into misfortune for about a century. However, it has now emerged as one of the major temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
If you’re planning a visit to the Kaduthuruthy Temple, it is important to note that men are required to wear a mundu and veshti, while women should wear a saree, skirt, or a salwar suit.
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