Chengannur Mahadeva temple is located in the heart of Chengannur town in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The first eighteen days of the festival is known as Cheriya Utsavam or small festival.
The annual temple festival is observed for 28 days – starting from the Thiruvathira Nakshatra in Dhanu to Thiruvathira Nakshatra in Makaram month. The festival ends with Arattu on the Thiruvathira Nakshatra in Makaram month.
Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in the same sreekovil here. Shiva is worshipped in the east side and Goddess Parvati in the west side of the same sanctum sanctorum.
Although Shiva is the main murti in the temple, prime importance is given to Goddess Parvati. Shiva faces east and Parvati faces west. The murti of Devi in the temple is made of Panchaloha. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess will help in curing diseases, depression and mental health issues. People who are possessed by spirits find relief after offering prayers here.
The Upa Devatas in the temple are Ganapathy, Sastha and Neelagrivan. There are 28 different deities in the temple complex. The temple has a golden flag post.
The temple is located in an area of 2.5 hectare. The temple has huge walls and gopuram.
The temple is associated with Perumthachan. The temple had so much of wealth and aishwaryam that the Brahmins of the temple were becoming arrogant. To avoid such a situation, Perumthachan made some intentional errors in the structure. It is not possible to get proper darshan from Japamandamap and Koothambalam.
The Koothambalam in the temple was destroyed in fire. Now, only the foundation of the Koothambalam remains. The Koothambalam was different from the existing Koothambalams in Kerala. The structure had the shape of Kurma or tortoise. It is said that there used to be no shadow of the pillars during day and night. It is said that standing on the stone on the south side of the Koothambalam and worshipping the Thazhikakudam of the sreekovil will not face difficulties from snakes and other poisonous animals. It is said that a Mahavishahari (person with knowledge of curing poison related problems) had dug a pit and put all his books related to poison treatment under the koothambalam.
The temple is also famous for the Goddess worshipped in the temple getting monthly periods.