Shithikandapuram Mahadeva Temple - History
The Shithikandapuram Mahadeva Temple at Koratty in Thrissur district is the temple where god Siva with his blue colored neck after consuming the highly poisonous ‘Kala Kooda’ for the welfare and protection of the world, stay with his wife Parvathi along with the other members of his family.
This beautiful village ‘Shithikandapura’ is situated at the southern end of Thrissur District bordering Ernakulam District and is 2kms west of N.H 47. The village is surrounded by many temples especially of Devi temples. To name a few you have the Mulavallikavu Durga Temple (One of the Temple (77th) of 108 Durgalaya in Kerala), Chirangara Devi Temple, Pongam Devi Temple, Vazhichal Devi Temple, Chettarikkal Devi Temple, Mullakkal Devi Temple, Paingavu Devi Temple , Pulikkakadavu Vanpuzhakavu Devi Temple and Koottala Devi Temple. Apart from these, these are the Chettarikkal Veera Bhadra Temple , Thirunarayanapuram Sreekrishna Temple, Mambra Mahadeva Temple, besides a host of other similar temples. The oldest and famous for its construction, the Shithikandapuram Mahadeva Temple is situated at Shithikandapuram which is the heart of Koratty.
This temple is believed to be the cause for the welfare and prosperity of all the wholly tasks of Koratty. Apart from the records available and the tell tale saying handed over through generation and also from the findings of the ‘Ashtamangalya Prasna’ conducted in 1984, the Sivalinga here is estimated to be more than 2000 to 2500 years old.
For around 200 to 250 years before the inhabitants of Irazhi Kovilakam of Malabar worshipped Neelakanta Mahadeva and the Goddess as their family Deity. But when the attacks and Maron of Tippu through the hearts of Malabar crippled the life and living of the people of Malabar, the inhabitants of Malabar Kovilakam left for good Malabar and came and stayed in the house of the wife of the head of the family of the Kovilakam at Poolani near Koratty. At the time of leaving Malabar he had propitiated and brought these family deities Paramasiva and the goddess (Bhagavathi) along with him. The Goddess was later consecrated at the bank of the river Pulikkakadavu and Mahadeva at place called Meloor Paramel. Mahadeva was later become famous as Paramel Thevar as he was consecrated on a rock. The governing people there was later known as ‘Koratty Swaroop’. Later the Koratty Swaroop became relations of Malayattoor Kovilakam and Thripoonithura Kovilakam. As a result of this whatever favors were gives by Thripoonithura Kovilakam and the conditions that were attached to it created new conflicts with the new landlords of Kodassery. When these conflicts developed to the extent of armed attacks of and on they had to again shift their residence to the heart of Koratty for administrative purpose. The history seen that the Kodassery Karthas and the Koratty Swaroop Thampurans had engaged in battles many alive. After shifting to the new place of residence they constructed there two big ‘Nalukettu’ consisting of 16 rooms and stayed there and looked after the administration. As the ladies of Koratty Swaroop found it difficult to go to their Deity at Vanpuzhakkavu Devi Temple, a new temple was constructed there and consecrated their Paramel Thevar. This place was later became famous by the name ‘Shithikandapuram’. For conducting Pooja and other routine daily activities, poojaries were brought from other places after making suitable arrangements for them to settle down there. At the time, they had left Malabar they could bring the family deity. But they could not remove the deity with its seating (Peedta) and hence could not properly do the ‘Prathishta’. Hence the original Deity’s linga along could be brought with much pomp& fare and could perform the ‘Bimba Prathishta’ under the supervision of the famous Thanthri Mukhya Bhadrakali Mattappilly Namboodiri. This place was gradually became very famous by the name ‘Shithikandapuram’ became of the “Chaithanyam” of the Lingarupi which was in the form of “Shithikanda” .
The Shithikandapura temple is one of the rarest of the Mahadeva Temples wherein the all giving Sri Mahadeva and the pleasant looking Sree Parvathi Devi who brings in auspiciousness into our life are the main Deities giving Darsan jointly in the ‘Sreekovil’. According to these who go to this temple everyday and pray with intensity for whatever they want are showered with blessings by this Deity who can be easily pleased. Moreover this is the only temple where is the Mahadeva’s sons Gnapathi, Subrahmanya and Sastha, are in their idol forms inside the main temples.
The main offerings to Shithikandapurathappan are Dhara, Nivedya, Koovalamala, Nilavilakku, Annadan etc. just as in Kailasa, this is the only place where God Siva with his entire family are staying together. Because of this the special family Pooja here is considered to be very auspicious for the welfare and security of the family and also for the strong bond for the husband & wife relationship. Besides these are Special Poojas here for the education, for getting suitable employment and also for all round progress in life. There are other Poojas such as Ginger oil, Pinvilakku, Dhara, Koovalamala, Annadan, mixed porridge, Niramala, Silk , Kumkum and Thali to Sree Parvathi, Otta appam to Ganapathi, Panchamruthu, Palabhishekam to Muruka and Special porridge to Sastha Ellunivedya etc… Besides Mahamruthyunjaya Homa, Umamaheswara Pooja, Navagraha Pooja as also applying chandan to Siva, Parvathi , Ganapathi and Muruka are considered to be why important Pooja here. Thiruvathira pooja which is considered to be very special to Parvathi, Sivarathri for Mahadeva , Shashti for Muraga , Ayyappan Vilakku for Ayyppa and the yearly Sarpa Pooja… all these are being celebrated here.
The Ashtamivilakku in the month of Kumbham is one of the most important festivals here. Similar in the case of with Sivarathri. The Ashtami here is related to Vaikkathashtami. The oldest member of Koratty swaroopa used to go to Vaikkathashtami. This was continuing for a long time. But one day he could not go to Vaikkathashtami due to various deseases and therefore could not go for the festival of Vaikkathashtami and propitiate Bhagavan. This caused much pain in his mind and in that painful and meditative mood he prayed God from there with much intense mental pain. With sharpened and painful mind he called uot Vaikkathappan while still as Koratty Kovilakam and cried and cried uttering about his pain and agony for his inability to go there and have the Darsan of Vaikkathappan as usual and also of his fear that he may never again will be able to go there and pray Mahadeva. Till that day there was only daily Pooja for Shithikandapurathappan. But in that very night Mahadeva appeared himself before Thampuran and told him that from that day onwards nobody need go to the utsava at Vaikkam and that he will be there with him. When Thampuran opened his eyes he felt that he was seeing a bright light moving to the Shithikandapuram Temple. The happiness of Thampuran knew no bounds then. Immediately this news was informed to all those at Koratty Swaroopa. Thampuran then ordered that the following day was Kumbha Ashtami meaning thereby Vaikkathashtami.. he further said that they should celebrate the Thiruvulsavam of Vaikkam Bhagavan these itself. Thus the Ashtami was celebrated with much pomp and fare on that day itself. On that very night Thampuran saw a dream in which Mahadeva giving Darsan to him told him that the utsav gave him much happiness and that it should be continued. From that day onwards the Shithikandapurathashtami was being celebrated every year with much pomp and fare. The all powerful Sree Parvathi Devi gives Darsan to all Devotees from the western side and bless them .
This beautiful village ‘Shithikandapura’ is situated at the southern end of Thrissur District bordering Ernakulam District and is 2kms west of N.H 47. The village is surrounded by many temples especially of Devi temples. To name a few you have the Mulavallikavu Durga Temple (One of the Temple (77th) of 108 Durgalaya in Kerala), Chirangara Devi Temple, Pongam Devi Temple, Vazhichal Devi Temple, Chettarikkal Devi Temple, Mullakkal Devi Temple, Paingavu Devi Temple , Pulikkakadavu Vanpuzhakavu Devi Temple and Koottala Devi Temple. Apart from these, these are the Chettarikkal Veera Bhadra Temple , Thirunarayanapuram Sreekrishna Temple, Mambra Mahadeva Temple, besides a host of other similar temples. The oldest and famous for its construction, the Shithikandapuram Mahadeva Temple is situated at Shithikandapuram which is the heart of Koratty.
This temple is believed to be the cause for the welfare and prosperity of all the wholly tasks of Koratty. Apart from the records available and the tell tale saying handed over through generation and also from the findings of the ‘Ashtamangalya Prasna’ conducted in 1984, the Sivalinga here is estimated to be more than 2000 to 2500 years old.
For around 200 to 250 years before the inhabitants of Irazhi Kovilakam of Malabar worshipped Neelakanta Mahadeva and the Goddess as their family Deity. But when the attacks and Maron of Tippu through the hearts of Malabar crippled the life and living of the people of Malabar, the inhabitants of Malabar Kovilakam left for good Malabar and came and stayed in the house of the wife of the head of the family of the Kovilakam at Poolani near Koratty. At the time of leaving Malabar he had propitiated and brought these family deities Paramasiva and the goddess (Bhagavathi) along with him. The Goddess was later consecrated at the bank of the river Pulikkakadavu and Mahadeva at place called Meloor Paramel. Mahadeva was later become famous as Paramel Thevar as he was consecrated on a rock. The governing people there was later known as ‘Koratty Swaroop’. Later the Koratty Swaroop became relations of Malayattoor Kovilakam and Thripoonithura Kovilakam. As a result of this whatever favors were gives by Thripoonithura Kovilakam and the conditions that were attached to it created new conflicts with the new landlords of Kodassery. When these conflicts developed to the extent of armed attacks of and on they had to again shift their residence to the heart of Koratty for administrative purpose. The history seen that the Kodassery Karthas and the Koratty Swaroop Thampurans had engaged in battles many alive. After shifting to the new place of residence they constructed there two big ‘Nalukettu’ consisting of 16 rooms and stayed there and looked after the administration. As the ladies of Koratty Swaroop found it difficult to go to their Deity at Vanpuzhakkavu Devi Temple, a new temple was constructed there and consecrated their Paramel Thevar. This place was later became famous by the name ‘Shithikandapuram’. For conducting Pooja and other routine daily activities, poojaries were brought from other places after making suitable arrangements for them to settle down there. At the time, they had left Malabar they could bring the family deity. But they could not remove the deity with its seating (Peedta) and hence could not properly do the ‘Prathishta’. Hence the original Deity’s linga along could be brought with much pomp& fare and could perform the ‘Bimba Prathishta’ under the supervision of the famous Thanthri Mukhya Bhadrakali Mattappilly Namboodiri. This place was gradually became very famous by the name ‘Shithikandapuram’ became of the “Chaithanyam” of the Lingarupi which was in the form of “Shithikanda” .
The Shithikandapura temple is one of the rarest of the Mahadeva Temples wherein the all giving Sri Mahadeva and the pleasant looking Sree Parvathi Devi who brings in auspiciousness into our life are the main Deities giving Darsan jointly in the ‘Sreekovil’. According to these who go to this temple everyday and pray with intensity for whatever they want are showered with blessings by this Deity who can be easily pleased. Moreover this is the only temple where is the Mahadeva’s sons Gnapathi, Subrahmanya and Sastha, are in their idol forms inside the main temples.
The main offerings to Shithikandapurathappan are Dhara, Nivedya, Koovalamala, Nilavilakku, Annadan etc. just as in Kailasa, this is the only place where God Siva with his entire family are staying together. Because of this the special family Pooja here is considered to be very auspicious for the welfare and security of the family and also for the strong bond for the husband & wife relationship. Besides these are Special Poojas here for the education, for getting suitable employment and also for all round progress in life. There are other Poojas such as Ginger oil, Pinvilakku, Dhara, Koovalamala, Annadan, mixed porridge, Niramala, Silk , Kumkum and Thali to Sree Parvathi, Otta appam to Ganapathi, Panchamruthu, Palabhishekam to Muruka and Special porridge to Sastha Ellunivedya etc… Besides Mahamruthyunjaya Homa, Umamaheswara Pooja, Navagraha Pooja as also applying chandan to Siva, Parvathi , Ganapathi and Muruka are considered to be why important Pooja here. Thiruvathira pooja which is considered to be very special to Parvathi, Sivarathri for Mahadeva , Shashti for Muraga , Ayyappan Vilakku for Ayyppa and the yearly Sarpa Pooja… all these are being celebrated here.
The Ashtamivilakku in the month of Kumbham is one of the most important festivals here. Similar in the case of with Sivarathri. The Ashtami here is related to Vaikkathashtami. The oldest member of Koratty swaroopa used to go to Vaikkathashtami. This was continuing for a long time. But one day he could not go to Vaikkathashtami due to various deseases and therefore could not go for the festival of Vaikkathashtami and propitiate Bhagavan. This caused much pain in his mind and in that painful and meditative mood he prayed God from there with much intense mental pain. With sharpened and painful mind he called uot Vaikkathappan while still as Koratty Kovilakam and cried and cried uttering about his pain and agony for his inability to go there and have the Darsan of Vaikkathappan as usual and also of his fear that he may never again will be able to go there and pray Mahadeva. Till that day there was only daily Pooja for Shithikandapurathappan. But in that very night Mahadeva appeared himself before Thampuran and told him that from that day onwards nobody need go to the utsava at Vaikkam and that he will be there with him. When Thampuran opened his eyes he felt that he was seeing a bright light moving to the Shithikandapuram Temple. The happiness of Thampuran knew no bounds then. Immediately this news was informed to all those at Koratty Swaroopa. Thampuran then ordered that the following day was Kumbha Ashtami meaning thereby Vaikkathashtami.. he further said that they should celebrate the Thiruvulsavam of Vaikkam Bhagavan these itself. Thus the Ashtami was celebrated with much pomp and fare on that day itself. On that very night Thampuran saw a dream in which Mahadeva giving Darsan to him told him that the utsav gave him much happiness and that it should be continued. From that day onwards the Shithikandapurathashtami was being celebrated every year with much pomp and fare. The all powerful Sree Parvathi Devi gives Darsan to all Devotees from the western side and bless them .
