Thirumalida Swayambhoo Shiva Temple

OVERVIEW

Thirumalida Mahadeva Temple is situated in Mallappally on the bank of Manimala river. Uniqueness of the temple is, the presentation of Swayambhoo Lord Siva as facing west into the river. Swayambhoo means self mounted in earth. Here the idol of the lord was not placed by any spiritual person but visualized itself. Number of spiritual gurus compared this shrine to KASHI Viswanatha Temple for the presentation of deity.

HISTORY

The listened history of Thirumalida temple like the following. Long ago a woman of lower cast came to this place to collect grass for their cattle. While collecting grass, she sharpened her sickle on stone. Suddenly blood flown from the stone and the frightened woman and her friends ran to the then ruling thirumeny. The rulers of the area where known as Pathillathil pottys. They came and see the miracle and the astrologer confirmed the presence of Lord Shiva on the stone. Mallappally was unde the rule of Edappally kingdom that days. The temples in and around Mallappally were under the kings governance. As the king resided far away, it was hard to get proper care and protection to the temple. As fore fathers told, there were days without nivedyam and even oil to lit the lamp. In such a situation the common men of the surrounding places joined to form thirumalida bhaktha jana sangham to serve the temple. In 1963 the king handed over the power of governance of the temple to this union, afterwards registered as Thirumalida Hyndava Seva Sangham (THSS) with the register number 42/1963. There after time to time members of THSS worked hard to facilitate the shrine by adding land and making more constructions. Improvement works are still in progress. (please confirm the statements and correct any mistakes)

LOCATION

Thirumalida Mahadeva Temple is located in Mallappally of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala State, India. Nearest Air Port is Nedumbasserry International Airport (99 km). Nearest Railway stations are Thiruvalla (14 km), Changanasserry (15 km), Kottayam (28 km). there are so many buses connecting Thiruvalla, Changanasserry and Kottayam to Mallappally - both KSRTC and Private buses-. The temple is just 1 km away from Mallappally bus stand.

FESTIVALS

Shivarathri, Vishu, Thiruvathira, Onam, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Naga panchami, Skanda shashti etc are celebrated as well as Karkkidaka vavu, Sapthaham, Mandala mahothsavam are also observed.

SHIVARATHRI

There is no installation celebration considered as the deity was not installed. Shivarathri is the main festival which was a two days celebration in the beginning modified to seven days celebration. After the installation of copper flag post and Anakkottil in 2000, the festival is of twelve days. Many famous artists of south India performed at the Shivarathri nagar. The centre of attraction during the festival is Kavadi attam on the shivarathri day and kavadi vilakku in the night before shivarathri. Hundreds of people taking special life style for the thirteen days and takes kavadi (a bunch of colourful paper flowers). In the Shivarathri night, special poojas are performed. So many people observe the day on fasting from early morning of Shivarathri day till next morning.

THIRUVATHIRA

It is considered as the Thiruvathira of Dhanu month is the birth star of Lord Shiva. As a Swayambhoo temple, thiruvathira has its importance here. Thiruvathira of all malayalam months are observed with special poojas in morning and annadanam at noon.

SAPTHAHAM

Every year From the 1st day of Vrischikam moth to 7th Vrischikam, Sreemad Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam is conducting. pecially invited spiritual persons recite important parts from Maha Bhagavatham each of the day, gives its definition, and delivers speeches of the importance of the part recited in current life. Special poojas are offered in the specially arranged auditorium.

KARKKIDAKAVAVU

The temple is unique for its appearance which is facing West into the river. So there is importance for observing Karkkidakavavu. On the nomoon day of the Karkkidakam month(July-August)

hindus offer bali for the late fore fathers. This is known as Vavubali. All the facilities are arranged at the river side by the governing body of the temple, namely The Thirumalida Hyndava Seva Sangham. Every year thousands of people visits the shrine to offer bali on this day.