A unique shrine located on the banks of Periyar River in
Kerala, Aluva Shiva Temple is one of the 108 Shiva Temples in Kerala. The
Swayambu Shivling worshipped here is not enshrined in a sanctum sanctorum.
There is only a temporary structure. Aluva Manappuram Shiva Temple is located
around 18 from Ernakulam North Railway Station.
It is believed that there used to be a temple located here which was built by Lord Parashuram. This shrine was destroyed by a flood. Later Vilwamangalam Swamiyar built a temple which was also destroyed by a flood. After this, it was decided that it is divine wish that there should be no shrine built here.
It is believed that there used to be a temple located here which was built by Lord Parashuram. This shrine was destroyed by a flood. Later Vilwamangalam Swamiyar built a temple which was also destroyed by a flood. After this, it was decided that it is divine wish that there should be no shrine built here.
In certain years, the entire temporary shrine gets submerged
in water. This is known as natural Arattu – bathing of the deity.
The naturally formed Shivling worshipped here is small and
faces east. There is also a murti of Nandi in front of the Shrine.
The main festival observed in the shrine is the Aluva
Sivarathri. The annual festival begins on Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Kumbha Masam.
It is considered highly meritorious to perform Shradh and
Tarpan rituals to dead relatives here. It is believed that Bhagavan Sri Ram and
Lakshman performed the Shradh rituals of Jatayu here.