Kangazha Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it
is located on Kottayam - Manimala route and is around 20 km from Changanassery in Kottayam District in Kerala. The
annual festival or utsavam is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month. The 8-day annual festival begins on Moolam Nakshatram. Shivratri is another important festival in the temple.
The deity worshipped in the temple is swayambhu. It is believed that the Shivling was discovered when tribals in the area where sharpening their sword. The stone used for sharpening started bleeding. The Shivling was then installed by Kanva Maharshi.
The main deity faces west.
The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Sastha, Durga, Ganapathy, Nagam and Rakshas.
The Pradosham falling just before Mahashivratri is of great importance in the temple (കങ്ങഴ പ്രദോഷം).
The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut
leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights.
Melam, traditional Kerala temple music with five
instruments, are performed as part of the festival. Traditional performing
arts, music and dance are staged during the period. Another highlight is the colorful processions.
Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the
period.
The festival ends with Arattu. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day. Caparisoned elephants and melam are part of the ritual.
The festival ends with Arattu. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day. Caparisoned elephants and melam are part of the ritual.