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Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva Temple – History – Facts - Festival

Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva temple is located near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Although the temple is referred to as Mahadeva shrine, the murti worshiped in the temple is Shankaranarayana – a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu.

The Shivling worshipped in the temple is considerably big in height and girth. The darshanam of Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva is towards east.

The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Yakshi, Ayyappa and Saptamatrikas. Nana Durga is worshipped on the western part of the temple.

The 10-day annual festival begins on Meenam 1. Sanghakali is performed on the last day of the festival. Pallivetta is another important ritual.

Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva Temple – History

As per history, the deity here was the moola daivam or main deity of 18 Chathira (shastra) sanghams.

The temple was the venue for the debate between Buddhists and Brahmins in the presence Cheraman Perumal. Buddhists lost the debate and accepted Hinduism. After the victory, the Shiva shrine came to be known as Shankaranarayana temple. Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva was decided as the main deity of those people who returned from Buddhism (Sanghams).

Earlier 28 day festival was held here by 28 different deshams. The temple also had purapedda shanti before.