Chovva Maha Shiva temple is located at Melechowa South in Kannur district, Kerala. The Shiva worshipped in the temple is swayambhu – of divine origin. The darshanam of Chovva Maha Shiva is towards east.
The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Vishnu, Ayyappa, Ganapati, Nagam and Murugan. Ganapati murti is worshipped on the south side of the main sanctum sanctorum. Mahavishnu is worshipped in the Balivattom inside and he faces east. The darshanam of nagam is towards wes and that of Ayyappa is towards east.
The temple is situated in a 4 acre compound.
Legend has it that the Shivling worshipped
in the temple was buried underground and it was later retrieved and consecrated
by Kanva Maharshi.
The temple is believed to be more than
5000 years old and the temple was destroyed by Tipu Sultan. The remains of the
old temple can be still seen around.
The main festival observed in the temple
is Mahashivratri.
As per history, the temple belonged to Kolathiri king and it later came under the jurisdiction of Chirakkal Kovilakam.