Maruthoorkulangara Mahadeva temple is located at Maruthurkulangara
near Karunagappally in Kollam district, Kerala. The 10-day annual festival begins with kodiyettam on Chathayam
nakshatra in Makaram month.
The main deity worshipped in the temple
is Shiva – there are two opinions regarding the murti in the temple one is that
Shiva is here in Ananda Tandava form and another opinion is that he is in Rudra
Tandava form.
The sanctum sanctorum faces east. There
is Mahameru, Sri Chakra and Salagram in the sreekovil.
The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple
Ganapathy, Sastha, Nagaraja, Rakshas, Yakshi and Madan.
It is believed that the presence of Shiva
was first felt in the north side of the temple. Moolasthanam is here and
prayers are offered here too.
The Balikkal in the temple is covered with copper.
The temple belonged to ancient Martha royal family. Before they surrendered to the Travancore kings, the Martha family donated the temple to Akavoor Mana. Currently the temple is managed by a committee of villagers.