Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple, also known as the Thaliyil Shiva Temple, is one of the prominent Shiva Temples in Kottayam, Kerala. This temple was built by the demon Khara, along with the Ettumanoor and Vaikom temple shrines. The idols of Ettumanoor Shiva and Vaikom shrines are also placed in this temple. It is believed that visiting this temple before noon is considered more auspicious than visiting all three Shiva temples on the same day.
According to the epic Ramayana, the Kaduthurthy Temple has a significant connection. Kharasura, mentioned in the epic, installed the Shiva lingam at this temple. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and performed rigorous penance at Chindambaram. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him a boon of three lingams.
Kharasura then traveled south, carrying two Shiva lingams in his hands and one in his mouth. Due to the weight of the lingams, he rested at three different places – Vaikom, Ettumanoor, and Kaduthurthy. The lingam he placed with his mouth gave the temple its name – Kaduthuruthy, which means “placed by biting” in Malayalam.
The history of the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple dates back to the Vadakkumkoor dynasty. Around 300 years ago, the temple experienced a devastating fire, but the mandapam, with its exquisite carvings, was miraculously spared. The chief priest of the temple valiantly clasped the idol to his chest and sacrificed his life while protecting it. The idol of the chief priest is now erected at the northern part of the shrine.
During the reign of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai, the 28-day-long festival at the temple was revived, and she enforced discipline and punctuality in the temple observances. However, when the Vadakkumkoor dynasty merged into Travancore, the family deity fell into misfortune for nearly a century. Today, the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple has risen to become one of the major temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
If you plan to visit the temple, please note that men are required to wear mundu and veshti, while women should wear a saree, skirt, or salwar suit.
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