Ernakulathappan Temple is a popular Shiva temple located in the heart of Ernakulam town. The 8-day annual festival is observed in such a manner that it ends on Thiruvathira Nakshatra in Makaram month. The annual Shivratri is an important festival in the temple.
The highlight of the temple festival is kodiyettam, melam, ezhunellippu and arattu.
Ancient History
The Ernakulam Shiva Temple is believed, according to historical accounts, to be more than two thousand years old. It is described in Sangam-era literature as one of the major centres of worship in the Chera kingdom. This points to the temple’s great antiquity. It is certain that the temple was functioning in an organized and well-maintained manner during that period.
In later years, ownership of the temple passed into the hands of the five Kaimal families, who were the local rulers of the region at the time. Among them, Thushath Kaimal was a particularly devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva. Historical records indicate that renovation and restoration works were carried out at the temple during his period.
Ernakulathappan Temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. It is believed that the deity in the temple used to face east but it was later changed to west which is the present status. The position of the deity was changed to face Pazhayannur Bhagavathy temple belonging to Mattancherry Kottaram.
Vilwamangalam Swamiyar had decided the rules, rituals, pujas and regulations associated with shrine.
It is believed that the Shivling in the Ernakulathappan Temple was installed by a Naga Sadhu – Naga Rishi who had come from north. There is also a belief that the Shivling in the temple is Keerthamurti which was worshipped by Arjuna.
The Sanctum
The Sreekovil in the temple is round and the shrine has a gold-plated kodimaram or flag post. Presence of Goddess Parvati is worshipped inside the Sreekovil and she faces east.
The Ernakulathappan Temple has a fairly large circular Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), measuring approximately one hundred feet in circumference. The Sreekovil is constructed of granite and has a copper-clad roof. A golden Thazhikakudam crowns the top, adding to its splendour.
Inside the Sreekovil are three chambers. The easternmost chamber is the Garbhagriha, where the main idol is consecrated. A Shiva Lingam, approximately two and a half feet in height, is enshrined facing west. During ceremonial decoration, most of the Lingam is covered with garlands of Koovalam leaves, Thumbapoo flowers, and Rudraksha beads, all of which are especially dear to Lord Shiva. Thus, Thiruv-Ernakulathappan, embodying the primordial divine energy of the universe, presides in the sanctum in the form of the Shiva Lingam.
Unlike many other major temples, the Sreekovil here bears none of the elaborate remnants of mural painting or sculptural artistry. Its construction is remarkably simple. Even the decorative finishing commonly seen in other temples is absent here. On the northern side, the Oovu—the outlet through which the water used for ritual ablutions flows out—has been beautifully constructed.
The Upa Devatas in the temple are Ganapathy, Keerathamurti, Sastha and Nagaraja.
The present temple was constructed in Thulam month in Kollavarsham 790 (1615 CE).
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