Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple
| Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Name | |
| Proper name | Thrukkaviyoor Mahadevar Temple |
| Malayalam | തൃക്കവിയൂർ മഹാദേവക്ഷേത്രം |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 9°23′47″N 76°36′38″E / 9.39639°N 76.61056°ECoordinates: 9°23′47″N 76°36′38″E / 9.39639°N 76.61056°E |
| Country | India |
| State/province | Kerala |
| District | Pathanamthitta |
| Locale | Kaviyoor |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Mahadeva as Thrikkaviyoorappan |
| Important festivals | Uthsavam( December- January, Sivarathri, Sahasrakalasam( May–June)& Panthrantu kalabham(July) |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Kerala style |
| Inscriptions | 2(Two)- AD 951& 952 |
| History and governance | |
| Date built | 10th century AD(Current Form- Sanctum) |
| Creator | Lord Sree Rama with Sita |
| Website | http://www.thrikaviyoormahadevartemple.com |
Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is one of the important Siva temples in Kerala, located in Kaviyoor, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. It is commonly called Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The main deity is Lord Mahadeva (Shiva with Parvathi).The temple is well known for the Hanuman temple situated inside the temple complex. Kaviyoor Temple is one of the important Special Grade temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
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( flagmast) 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.
There is hallow of a wide range of legends surrounding the temple. 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 seeng 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 for ever. 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).
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