Sree Mahadeva Temple , Airanikkulam

Datable to very ancient period, the temple has a historical past. The legend says that in the ancient past the present Chalakudi River was flowing by the side of this temple and that Lord Parasurama meditated here to propitiate Lord Mahadeva who appeared before Him and gave Him darshan. At the request of Lord Parasurama, Lord Siva emerged as a swayambhoo idol and the former did initial consecration rites. The idol was neglected for centuries and got buried in the ground. Once when some children were playing here they saw an idol and they tried to carry it by dragging. The children saw blood oozing out of it and immediately the matter was reported to their elders. The local Malayala Brahmins rushed to the spot and found a beautiful linga idol made of mud. They built a temple and consecration of the mud-idol was done. Initially women were not allowed to enter the temple and worship the deity. To facilitate worship of Lord Siva another temple was built at the north of the swayambhoo shrine. After the installation of this, the southern shrine is known as Thekkedath Kshetram and northern one Vadakkedath Kshetram.

Vadakkedath Kshetram earlier had pancha-loha idols of Lord Siva in sitting pose and Lord Subramanya in standing pose. The idol of Goddess Parvathi which existed was stolen and for decades there was no idol for Her but only a nala. All these three idols are in one peetham. Some miscreants damaged the Lord Subramanya and Lord Siva idols also. A deva-prashnam was then held and it was decided to replace these idols with new pancha-loha ones. Accordingly at a cost of Rs.15 lakhs, three pancha-loha idols were cast on a single pancha-loha peetham. The castings were done by the renowned shilpi Brahmasree Brahmamangalam Subramanian. The total weight of these idols in the single peetham is 1.4 metric ton. The casting of these idols was a herculean task. The sketches of these idols were first prepared keeping up the principles laid down for the casting of vigraha. The figures modelled in wax were given a coating of fine paste of burnt clay and were allowed to dry in a shade. The coating was done at least three times till the required firmness for the moulds was achieved. They were dried in the Sun. The wax inside each idol was then removed by heating. When the mould was ready for casting, pancha-loha metal was melted in 100 crucibles on coke furnaces. For casting the idol of Lord Siva alone more than 100 crucibles were used at a time and without break in time. The temperature within the shed where crucibles were heated was very high. To avoid any risk of the shed catching fire, cold water was pumped on the shed till the final casting was over. The risk in making the idol was very great considering the size of the idol. The time taken for melting the pancha-loha and heating the mould was about eight hours. When the molten liquid was completely cooled down by the usual process, outer covering was carefully broken. The vigraha was then subjected to polishing process. The description given about the procedure is very brief. The vigraha was taken from Brahmamangalam (Shilpi’s place) to Airanikkulam in procession after visiting all major temples en-route. The most difficult task was to take these idols to the garbha-gruham. More than 300 persons, all observing vrutha as per rituals, worked strenuously for three consecutive days to take these idols with the help of planks and poles of Kanjira (Nuxvomica) tree, crane, chains and ropes. The huge granite peetham consists of two parts and even taking them inside the Sreekovil was difficult. After observing all the purificatory rites Brahmasree Vezhaparambu Parameswaran Namboothiripad assisted by Thamarassheri Mekkad Damodaran Namboothiripad (Thantri), installed these idols on 1 Mithunam 1172 (corresponding to 15 June 1997). Subsequently miscreants entered the temple and attempted to steal these idols. They could take away only the idol of Lord Subramanya but later it was recovered with one arm mutilated. The Shilpi repaired this idol into its original form. Re-consecration rites were then done to this idol. In the history of iconography in Kerala the making and installation of these idols may be considered unique and will be remembered in the days to come.

During the Kulashekara period, there were four Advisors (known as Thaliyathiris) for Perumals and one of them was from Airanikkulam. There are four inscriptions in the temple, all relating to the punishments imposed on some persons for participating in activities which were against the interests of the temple. These inscriptions indicate clearly that the temple was quite renowned in the ninth century.

In 1789, the temple was ransacked. The dwaarapalakas, made of pancha-loha, which were found missing after the attack were later obtained from the well of the temple. Now these figurines are kept at the Thrissur Museum.

The temple is famous for some special rituals. It is one of the temples in Kerala where Brahmani-paattu is sung. The privilege for performing it rests with Vadakke-Pushpakath family. Since the family came from north and settled here it took the name Vadakke Pushpakam. Two families, Thekkedath and Vadakkedath Pushpakam families, attend to the duties of kazhakam of the temple.

It is interesting to note that from early period building padippura for houses in the gramam was not in practice. The legend is that during the period of Thripputh of Sree Parvathi, She goes out of the temple and stays at any house of Her choice in the gramam. As the time and place of visit were purely of Her choice, the local residents never used to build padippura for their houses, for facilitating the Goddess to have easy access to any house in the locality. During thripputh the idol used to be kept at the Thantazhithara in the custody of antarjanams of Mekkad mana and Brahmani Amma of Vadakke-Pushpakam. Earlier when pallineerattu (royal bath) of the Goddess was held at the tank there used to be the appearance of a box containing the ornaments to be used by the Goddess. The legend says that once a lady stole the box containing the ornaments so appeared above the waters of the tank. Thereafter the box also has stopped appearing. When the idol of Sree Parvathi was stolen these rituals ceased to exist.

About some centuries back there were some internal rivalries in Airanikkulam gramam, which affected the peace prevailed in the area. At that time the local chieftain invoked the powers of the Lord and the Goddess and took them to Vellarappilli) (near Chowara in Aluva taluk) and Pallippuram (in Cherthala taluk). Both these temples are now known as Thiru Airanikkulam temples. The temple at Vellarappilli is unique and now famous as its shrine for the Goddess is opened only for 12 days connection with Thiruvathira in Dhanu month.

The temple was taken over by the Cochin Sarkar during the reign of Shaktan Thampuran. When the Cochin Devaswam Board was formed in 1950, it was transferred to the board. Now it is administered by the Devaswam Officer of Annamanada Devaswam appointed by the Board.

Earlier the temple owned 226.22 acres of land and paddy fields, which fetched 2,949 paras of paddy. At present it has 4.49 acres which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are Sreekovil, namaskaara-mandapam, chuttu-mathil, sub shrines, pura-mathil, wells and Pond.

(1) Sree Thekkedath Siva shrine

The circular dwi-thala Sreekovil of sandhaara type and facing east has granite adhishthaanam with mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, triple-faceted kumudam, kumuda-padi, galam with flower motif, gala-padi, kampam, kapotham, kampam, galam with carvings of Mruga-mala, galapadi and kampam, galam, gala padi, valaru and padi. The sopanam has eight direct steps with vyaali face on top and Deva figurines on the sides of banisters. There are five steps from antharaalam to the garbha-gruham. The pranaalam has Makara simha face, plain sundu with rings and go-mukham end. There is a figurine of Yakshi in squatting pose below the sundu. The laterite wall has three ghanadwaaras and a functional door. The shrine has a mukha-mandapam. The roof is tiled. The sub-shrine of Lord Ganapati is at southwest of the akathe-balivattam, while the well is at northwest. The namaskaara-mandapam has no superstructure. There is a laterite chuttu-matil around the above structures. The sub-shrine of Lord Shastha is at southwest facing east. It has a nadappura and deepastambhams at its front. The sub-shrine of Sree Nagaraja is at the southwest of the shrine for Lord Shastha. There is a valiya-balikkall at its front.

(2) Sree Vadakkedath Siva shrine

The square dwi-thala Sreekovil of sandhaara type and facing east has a mukha-mandapam. It is on the northern side of the Sree Thekkedath Siva shrine and the shrine has a mukha-mandapam. The mouldings of the adhishthaanam are paadukam, jagathi, vrutha-kumudam, kumuda padi, galam with carvings of Mruga-maala, gala-padi, kampam, and galam with flower motif, gala-padi valaru and padi. The sopanam has five direct steps with vyaali face on top and motifs of Devas on the sides of banisters. The pranaalam has Makara-simha face, plain sundu with rings and go-mukham end. There is a figurine of Yakshi in squatting pose below the sundu. The walls are made of laterite stones and the roof is tiled with gables on all four sides of the roof. There is a separate well for this shrine within its akathe-balivattam. It has separate chuttambalam with four entrances. The thidappali in at southeast. The valiya-balikkall is outside the chuttambalam. At the rear and outside the compound wall of Vadakkedath temple, there is sub-shrine dedicated to Goddess Karott (Bhadrakali) Bhagavathi facing east. A bell-metal deepastambhams is installed at its front. There is also a pond for the temple.

The carvings of Mruga-mala on the adhishthaanam and greeva of the southern shrine deserve special mention.

The idol of Lord Siva of Tekkedath shrine is swayambhoo and of mud and hence no abhishekam is performed. It has a height of 105 cm. The pancha-loha idol of Lord Siva is used as archana bimba. 

In the Vadakedath shrine there are three pancha-loha idols in one peetham. Lord Siva is in sitting pose (122 cm. above the peetham) with left leg folded, right leg in suspended position. The idol has two arms with left hand kept on left knee and right hand in chin mudra pose. The idol of Goddess Parvathi is also in sitting pose (height: 113 cm.) with left leg folded, right leg in suspended position and with two arms, left arm resting on left knee and right arm with lotus in hand. The two-armed Sree Bala Subramanya idol is in standing pose (60 cm) with kadali plantain in right hand and left hand with vel. 

Other idols are made of shila, Lord Ganapati in sitting pose (37 cm.), Lord Shastha in sitting pose (45 cm.), Goddess Bhagavathi (Bhadrakali) in sitting pose (37 cm.) and Sree Nagaraja in sitting pose with raised hoods (30 cm). 

The temple is kept open from 5 to 9-30 am and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.

Three poojas are done daily,

Usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.

Uccha-pooja at 9 a.m.

Athaazha-pooja at 7.30 p.m.

Paal-payasam, malar nivedyam vella-nivedyam, kadum-payasam and koottu-payasam are the important vazhippadu and all are popular.

Sivarathri, Thiruvathira and Prathishta-day are observed. The eight day festival associated with Thiruvathira is important. The Kodiyettam is held eight days prior to Thiruvathira. Palliveta is performed for Thekkedath shrine. On 10th Medam guruti is performed at the northern side of the shrine of Sree Bhagavathi (Karott Bhagavathi). On all Ulsavam days neerattu to Goddess Parvathi is held. Nivedyam is also offered to sree Nandi.

Details of the thantri who installed the idol are not known. It is claimed that Lord Parasurama performed the initial rites. The present thantri belongs to Thamarassheri Mekkad mana .The shanthikkar is appointed from Embranthiri. The other staff includes kazhakam, marar, nadakkal-paattu, adichu-tali and washer woman. 

Situated eight km. south of Mala at Airanikkulam on Kundur road, the temple is connected by tarred road. The temple is also approachable from Aluva via Athani (on NH-17) and thence via Kadumasheri-Moozhikkulam-Kuzhoor. Facilities for stay are available at Aluva (distance 20 km).