Chengannur Mahadeva Temple
| Chengannur Mahadeva Temple | |
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 Chengannur Mahadeva Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 9°19′6.54″N 76°36′50.46″E / 9.3184833°N 76.6140167°ECoordinates: 9°19′6.54″N 76°36′50.46″E / 9.3184833°N 76.6140167°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Alapuzha |
| Location | Chengannur |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Mahadeva (Shiva) |
| Consort |
Bhagavathi (kannaki) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Chengannur Mahadeva Temple (also called Bhagavathy Temple) is a prominent Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva and located in the town of Chengannur in the South Indian state of Kerala. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala counted along with the Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple and Vadakkunathan temple.
The temple is popularly counted as one of the major Bhagavathy temples in Kerala. The temple celebrates a rare menstruation festival for Bhagavathy, called Thripputhu, during when the temple is closed for three days during the irregular menstruation of the deity. There are five daily poojas done in temple, three Sarabalies for Shiva and three for Bhagavathy. Tantric worship is done by Thazhaman. The yearly festival is celebrated during the December-January which lasts 28 days.
As per Hindu legend, Bhagavathy is considered as the god of Kerala and protector of masses. It is believed that Parvathi, the consort of Shiva, came here after getting married to him in the Himalayas. Parvathi got her menstrual period for 28 days. Bhagavathy is thus considered a reincarnation of Sati, where her Kamakya fell in the North. Another variant of the same legend indicates that sage Agasthya, who could not witness the sacred marriage of Shiva and Parvathi was visited by the pair after the marriage. Since Parvathi was in her menstrual period, she waited for 28 days to give darshan to the sage.
The temple is located in the heart of Chengannur town. Chengannur is considered one of the 32 Namboothri villages in Kerala. Mahadeva is believed to be the god of the village. The presiding deity is Mahadeva, in the form of Lingam faces east, while the image of his consort, Bhagavathy is located exactly behind facing West. The temple is approached through a temple tower built in Kerala style and a golden flagstaff, both of which are axial to the central shrine. There are shrines of other deities around the temple in the second precinct for Sastha and Neela Greevan, while an image of Ganapathy is seen in the first precinct. The image of Bhagavathy is made of panchaloha, an alloy of five metals. It is believed that Perumachuten brought the image to the temple.
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Wikipedia