Anandavalleeswaram Temple

Overview

Anandavalleeswaram Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) which is situated in the heart of Kollam (Quilon) Municipal Corporation, 2.5 km from Kollam Junction Railway Station. There are many Government offices nearby and the beautiful Ashtamudi Lake is very close to this shrine. The temple is believed to be 1100 years old. There is golden flagstaff in this temple.

About The Deity

The presiding deity of Anandavalleeswaram temple is Lord Shiva and his consort Devi Parvathy. The Mahadevan (Lord Shiva) of this temple is considered in 'Soumya Bhava'. He is supposed as 'Uma Maheswaran' and 'Ananda Swaroopan'. Shiva and Parvathy are believed to be consecrated as in 'Just Married' concept and so both of them are in a very calm and pleasant form. The temple has got the name 'Anandavalleeswaram' from this concept.

The Devi Parvathi's idol is in standing posture. There is a lotus flower in one of her hands. Parvathy Devi of this temple is also called as 'Swayamvara Parvathi'. Lord Shiva's idol is as usual in other Shiva temples as shapeless 'Shiva Linga' but the procession idol of Lord Shiva which is known as 'Seeveli Vigraham' is 'Uma Maheswaran' ie.including Devi Parvathi along with him. It is depicted as Parvathi Devi sitting on the left thigh of Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva is embracing her. That form is depicted supposing as just after their marriage ceremony and so both of them are very pleasant and so gladly grants the rightful needs of the devotees is the belief.

The sub deities include Ganapathy, Murugan, Hanuman Swamy, Navagrahas, Naga Gods and so on. This is the only Hindu temple in India which has the deities of Sree Krishnan, Maha Vishnu, Bhoomidevi and Lakshmidevi consecrated as idols under a single structure (Sanctum sanctorum).

History of The Temple

There is no historical record to show the antiquity and origin of the temple. The name of the temple was Anandeswaram in olden days. There are five famous temples in Kollam town viz., Rameswaram, Manaleeswaram, Anandeswaram, Chittadeeswaram and Thrikkupaleswaram. All these five temples have been constructed during the same period. Some believe that the temple was constructed by the merchants from Sri Lanka who used to trade with Kollam. Some say that the temple was constructed by Navakody Narayana Chettiyar, an industrialist from Thanchavur who settled in Kollam. The fact that a Chettiyar family looked after the affairs of the temple supports this belief. Later the temple was taken over by the rulers of erstwhile Venad, whose headquarters was Kollam before it was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram.

The temple was renovated and new idol made of Panchaloha (Alloy of five metals – iron, copper, tin, silver and gold) during the year 1806 A.D. It is said that the deity was the tutelary deity of the Venad dynasty. During the civil war between Veluthampy Dalawa and the British, some damages had been caused to the temple and it was repaired by the British Government in 1823 A.D. The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Special Days

Full Moon days are considered auspicious here and having much importance.

Festivals

The annual festival in this temple is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (mid March) The festival is for 10 days and the Thantric rites are for 'Thazhamon Madom'. Shivaratri, Navaratri, Mandala Makara Vilakku etc. are all celebrated. During Navarathri festival on 'Vijaya Dasami Day' 'Saraswathi Pooja' is held at the Sanctum of Parvathi Devi in this temple.

Special Offering

Abhishekam, Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunjaya homam, Ashtotharchana, Muzhukappu, Pushpamjali and so on.

Significance

For getting a suitable bridegroom and for removing obstacles for marriage unmarried girls approach the deity Parvathi Devi of this temple in large numbers.

How To Reach Kollam

Airport

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km).

Railways

Kollam has its own railway station which is well connected to the rest of the state & important cities in India. For travellers coming from the south the Chennai - Kollam, Kollam express is the most convenient option. For people traveling from the north, flights are a better option as there are no direct trains available in this route.

Road

Kollam is well connected by road through the national highways of NH-47, NH-220, and NH-208. There are frequent interstate buses which run in this route. Buses ply from all major cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Pondicherry, Thrissur and many more.

Temple Address

Anandavalleeswaram Temple,
Ara Nagar, Kaankathu Mukku,
Kollam, Kerala, India, Pincode – 691007.