Kuttumuck Siva Temple

Overview

Kuttumuck Siva Temple, the abode of Lord Kuttumuck Sree Mahadevan, is located about 5 km northeast of Thrissur. According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 300 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. The name 'Kuttumuck' is believed to have evolved from Kutti Muck.

About the deity

The idol worshipped here is known as "Kiratha Moorthi", an especially fierce and potent incarnation of Shiva. It was in this form that the lord tested Arjuna's devotion, by appearing as a hunter and challenging him to a duel. Impressed by Arjuna's dedication, Shiva gave him the celestial weapon "Pasupathastra". According to a popular lore, once the army of Mysore,led by Tipu Sultan, attacked the Kuttumucku temple. When they were about to breach the premises, a swarm of bees appeared out of nowhere and attacked them, forcing them to retreat. The temple was thus left unharmed.

Legends and Stories

The presiding deity of the temple is "Kiratha Moorthi”, who is a fierce and potent incarnation of Lord Shiva. According to the mythology, once Arjuna stood on one leg and continually chanted the mantra that Vedavyasa had taught him. Suddenly, Arjuna saw a boar. Arjuna thought that this fierce boar might have come to distract him from his penance. It might be a relative of the several demons that he had killed and therefore might wish him harm. Due to this, Arjuna picked up his bow and arrow and shot an arrow at the boar. At that same time, Lord Shiva had decided to subject Arjuna to a test and he had also arrived at the spot disgusted as a hunter. When Arjuna shot an arrow at the boar, so did lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s arrow struck the boar in its hindquarters and Arjuna’s arrow struck the boar in its mouth. The boar fell down dead. A dispute started between Arjuna and the hunter about who had killed the boar. Each claimed it as his own. They began to fight. After the fight had gone on for a while, Lord Shiva gave up his disguise of a hunter and displayed his true form to Arjuna. Arjuna was ashamed that he had been fighting with the very person to whom he had been praying. Being impressed by the Arjuna's dedication, Lord Shiva gave the celestial weapon "Pasupathastra" to the Arjuna.

According to a popular lore, once the army of Mysore, led by Tipu Sultan, attacked the Kuttumucku temple. When they were about to break the premises, a swarm of bees appeared out of nowhere and attacked them, forcing them to retreat. The temple was thus left unharmed. The Upadevas of the temple are Lord Ganesha , Swami Ayyappa , and Lord Vishnu . In Kuttumuck temple, the Ganesha shrine is situated within the Nalambalam or the inner edifice, at the south-western corner. On the southern side of the temple, outside the Nalambalam and adjacent to the pradikshina vazhy(path) is the shrine of Sastha. This is the first shrine one would come across outside the Nalambalam. There is a big granite stone in front of the shrine, placed in an inclined position, used in the ritual of breaking coconuts, considered very dear to Sastha. A small deepasthambam is there in front of the shrine. During the mandala season, lots of devotees come for darshan to this shrine. In front of the shrine, arrangements are made for "malayidal" and "kettunira" (formalities before one goes to Sabarimala) for Sabarimala pilgrimage during mandala season (fasting period of Satha devotees before going to Sabarimala).

Festival

The utsavam that is celebrated in the temple is kuttumuck which lasts for ten days. The beginning day of the Utsavam (festival) is called as Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) which is likely to begin on the Thiruvathira (lunar) star in the Malayalm month Kumbam (February–March), and it ends after the Aarattu on the 10th day. Religiously, it is the restoration of divine Chaithanya. Dravyakalasam / Brahmakalasam is preceded by the Utsavam. It is aimed at the purification and energisation of the powers of the deity.

Temple Address