Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple

Overview

Located on the banks of the river Manimala, Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple or Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture and has prompted historians to date it to a period as early as the eighth century AD. The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine, Lord Shiva, represented in the ' Shivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.

About Deity

The Main deity is known as Thrikkaviyoorappan. The Shiv limga is believed to be made of sand and darbha grass. According to the dhyanasloka( concept) Lord Shiva of Kaviyoor Temple is in a pleasant form and is sitting in lotus position( padmasana) embracing Goddess Parvati with his left hand. The idols of Shiva as Dakshinamurthi and Ganapathi are installed together in the southern side of the main sanctum. In the west Goddess Parvati is worshiped as Sreemoolarajeswari. This idol was consecrated in ME 1068( AD1893) as per the orders of Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma of Travancore. Outside the main sanctum in the north-west corner of the inner courtyard is the position of the Hanuman temple. The idol is small and faces east. Outside the nalambalam (cloister) on the north- east side of the outer courtyard idols Serpent gods (Naga Raja& Naga yakshi) are installed. The Deity of the Keezhthrikkovil Temple situated beneath the main temple colmplex in the north- west side is Mahavishnu. Idol of this temple is made of stone, and is in standing position with four hands.

About the temple

Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is situated 200 meters west of Kaviyoor Junction in Changancherry- Kaviyoor Road. it is situated on a small hillock, and 21 wide steps leads to the majestic east Gopuram. The main entrance leads to a lengthy Anakkottil. The eastern court yard is adorned by a Golden dhwaja (flag mast) and two high lamp-masts on either side. The fortified area is of 2 acres. The outer wall is of medium height and is made of Laterite, which was plastered with cement in recent times. The outer wall is centuries old according to records. There are Gopurams in the southern and western side. In the northern side a long Oottupura is situated. In the north east side there is a pool for the use of priests. Outside the temple complex, in the western side is the Keezhthrikkovil Maha Vishnu Temple. There is large lake in the west, which is named Polachira. The Polachira Lake was once belonged to the Kaviyoor Temple, but it is now under the control of Fisheries department, and an inland fish-seed farm functions here.

Legends and Stories

The Main legend is about the origin of this great temple. According to this legend the main Idol of Lord Shiva was installed by Lord Sri Rama in the presence of Sita, Hanuman, Sugreeva and Vibheeshana on his return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Lord Sri Rama initiated Hanuman to bring a divine Sivalimga from Himalayas. Hanuman went to Himalayas and searched everywhere for a unique Sivalinga, and took some time for that purpose. As the auspicious time for prathishta neared, Lord Rama decided to do the Prathishta at once and using the earth form that place, he molded a Sivalinga and consecrated it. When he returned Hanuman became very sad seeing the prathishta was already done. So Lord Rama told Hanuman to remove the prathishta and install the Divyalinga he brought in its place. Hanuman tried his maximum, but the newly molded earthern Linga remained as such. Instead, the land surrounding it moved up to form a small hillock. So Hanuman prayed pardon, and sought Lord Rama for permission to stay near the Divya Prathishta done by him forever. Thus Kaviyoor become Hanuman's place. It is traditionally known as the most prominent Hanuman temple in South India. A second legend is about the installation of Hanuman prathishta inside the temple complex. Sage Vilwamangalam once visited this temple and on entering the compound he had a vision of Lord Hanuman sitting on the branch of the huge Ilanji (Mimusops elengi) tree in the north- eastern side of the outer courtyard. He prayed to the Lord to alight from the tree top and sit in a comfortable position in the inner courtyard, near to LordShiva. Hanuman sanctioned his wish and sat on the sage's Japa-Kindi in the north western corner of the inner courtyard. Later, as a result of a dream appeared to Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma a separate sanctum was built for Lord Hanuman in M.E. 1108( AD 1934).

Festival

There were 16 attaviseshams(Annual Festivals. But as on now the main Annual festivals are Panthrantukalabham in Chingam Kanni( July), Ayilyam (September), Thiruvuthsavam (Annual festival- December–January), Hanumath Jayanthy (December–January), Uthrittathi Attathirunal (January), Sivarathri( February–March), Kalabhaabhishekam (April) and Sahsrakalasam (May–June).

How to Reach Kaviyoor rock cut temple

About 6 Km from Thiruvalla town is well connected by other major cities by road and rail. Both the State run KSRTC and Private Luxury Bus operators connect Pathanamthitta to other cities. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla Railway Station about 5 km from Kaviyoor. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport about 119 km from Pathanamthitta.

Temple Address

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple,
Changanassery Kaviyoor Road,
Kaviyoor, Pathanamthitta,
Kerala - 689582