Sree Mahadeva Temple, Tiruvaloor

Datable to very ancient period, it is believed to be one of the 108 Siva temples established by Lord Parasurama in the southwest coast of India. The idol of the temple is peculiar and falls under the category of Agni-tatwa linga, one of the pancha-tatwa lingas (others being prthvi,jala,vayu and akasha). As the idol is of Agni tatwa and as ordained by Lord Parasurama, the earliest tantri of Tharananelloor mana avoided any abhisheka to the idol. Later the temple was owned by 28 illams. Once there were differences of opinion regarding the non-conduct of abhishekas, between these 28 ooralars and the tantri of Tharananelloor mana. The arguments went to such an extent that the ooralars even opined that the tantri avoided abhishekam due to lack of knowledge. This unnecessary comment infuriated the thantri and all agreed to conduct a test to determine deity’s wish. The procedure of the test was quite unusual Tantri suggested that the valiya-balikkal should be completely covered with cow dung by the ooralars and the thantri would be performing pooja within the Sreekovil with its doors closed. The condition was that if the rituals followed by the tantri were in accordance with the tradition as instructed by Lord Parasurama smoke would come out from the top of the valiya-balikkal during pooja. All agreed to this test and at an auspicious time the poojas were performed by the tantri and ooralars waited near the valiya-balikkal which was few meters on the east, to see the result. After some time smoke came out the cowdung and the ooralars could not stand by its side and two among the 28 ooralars rushed to the sreekovil to open its doors but others prevented them from doing so. After some time the smoke became so intense that none could bear its heat. The two ooralars who tried to open the door of sreekovil earlier, rushed again to the sreeckovil and forcibly opened the door. It was a sad sight that they had. The tantri was found lying unconscious near the Siva-lingam. Both of them carried the tantri to the temple tank and sprinkled its holy waters on him. He regained consciousness, but he cursed the ooralars (except the two who helped him) that their families would have dire consequences. Thereafter the tantri relinquished tantram of this temple. When the families under curse had many misfortunes to face, they sought forgiveness by falling at the feet of Tharananelloor tantri. He told them to perform paal-abhishekam to deity continuously so that the lustral-milk was made to flow into the sea without interruption. They could not carry out this explatory rite and all the twenty-six families became extinct. Later the tantram of the temple was taken over by Vezhaparambu mana.

Another legend is associated with the Sooryakaladi Bhattathiri of yester years. It is believed that he was cursed by Gandharvas (celestial beings) for performing sorcery against them. The curse was that he would die of suffocation and blockage of urine. To circumvent this curse some one suggested that he should worship Lord Tiruvaloor Mahadevan at the sandhya deeparadhana-time. Accordingly he reached this temple in time. When he was taking bath in the temple tank he felt suffocation and experienced blockage of urine. He screamed and loudly called the Lord but he heard an incorporeal voice from the shrine that in granthas all sorcery rites are given, but no where it is said that Bhattathiri has to do it. In short Lord did not favour Bhattathiri’s prayers and he had to breath his last before worshipping the Lord.

As stated earlier the temple was earlier managed by 28 illams Subsequently, two illams; Mangalappalli and Nattela administered it till it was taken over by the Travancore sarkar in the nineteenth century. The temple was renovated during the period of Sree Moolam Tirunal Maharaja. When the Travancore Devaswam Board was formed in 1950 this temple came under its control. The Sub-group Officer appointed by the Board administers the temple.

The temple owns seven acres of land of which four acres constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil with sub-shrine, namaskara mandapam, chuttambalam with agra mandapam, valiya-balikkall, dhwajam,aanakottil, office, compound wall, gopuram, oottupura, well and pond.

The circular éka-tala sreekovil of sandhara type and facing east has granite upa-peetham and adhishthanam. The mouldings of the upa-peetham are padukam, padma-padukam and jagati, while those of adhishthanam are padukam, jagati triple faceted kumudam, kumuda-padi, galam, gala-padi, utharam, valaru, padi,utharam, kampam, kapotam, galam, gala padi, galam and padi. The adhishthanam has exquisite carvings of chitra-mala, mruga mala, muttu-mala, pakshi-mala etc. The sopanam has four direct steps with vyali faces on top of banisters and figurines of Sree Brahma, Sree Vishnu and Sree Maheswara on sides. The pranalam has makara-simha face at the base, multi faceted sundu with rings and go-mukha end. It is supported by a standing bhoota-gana with his head. The granite walls have two ghana-dwaras and two functional doors. The roof is covered with copper sheets. At the southern antarala there is a sub-shrine dedicated to Lord Ganapati and Lord Dakshinamoortty, both facing south. The namaskara-mandapam has sixteen pillars, four inner and 12 outer. There are two covered pathways from the Sreekovil to southeast and northeast naalambalam. The well is at northeast of the akathe balivattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances from all sides. There are thidappili existing at southeast and northeast, the former is now used. The valiya-balikal is within the agra-mandapam. The concrete dhwajam is covered with 28 copper paras. The vahana of Lord Siva, Sree Nandikeswaran is installed on the eastern side of the dhwajam. The pradakshina-vazhi is made of concrete. Aanakottil also exists at the front. The office building is at the southwest.
Gopurams exist at east and west. The compound wall has the shape of elephant’s belly at the top. There is one pond at the front, while there is a smaller pond at the northwestern side of the oottupura (located at north).

Exquisite woodcarvings are seen on the ceilings of namaskara-mandapam and agra-mandapam. Ashta Dikpalakas, Markandeya-puranam (on the western and northern side), kaalan-illa kalam (on eastern and southern sides) are depicted on the ceiling of namaskara mandapam, while on the ceiling of agra mandapam there are carvings of dikpaalakas, kirita-episode and kathakali. On the walls of the sreekovil, there are carvings based on the themes taken from Bhagavatam and Siva-puranam. On the western gopuram there is a daru-shilpa of Lord Siva having ten hands.

The sila-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 61 cm. with the sankalpa of Lord of Agni-tatwa. The sila idols of Lord Ganapati and Lord Dakshinamoortty are of sitting poses with height of 30 cm. each.

The temple is kept open from 5:30 to 11 AM and from 5:30 to 8 PM .

Five poojas are held daily;
Usha-pooja (6 AM)
Ethrithu-pooja (6-30 AM)
Pantheeradi-pooja (8 AM)
Uccha-pooja (10 AM)
Athazha-pooja (7 PM).

In addition to Thrippuka at 8 PM Daily sreebali is done at 7 AM, 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM

Niramaala, V archhana, Paal Payasam kept over the floor-art of padmam, Kadum payasam etc. It is to be noted that abhishekams are not done to the idol. All the offerings mentioned above are popular.

Eight-day festival is held in the temple with kodiyirakkal after kani-kanal on Vishu-day. All temple rites are performed meticulously. Sivaratri is also observed. On festival days;kathakali, thullal, Chakyar koothu, paadakam etc. are staged along with some modern entertainments.

The pratishtha was originally done by Lord Parasurama. The tantram was entrusted by Him to Tharananelloor mana. Now the tantri belongs to Vezhaparambu mana. The Shantis are Malayala Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam, vaadyakkaar, Thrikkovil-Karanma, adichu thali and watcher.

Situated nine KM. northwest of Alwaye at Tiruvaloor on Varappuzha road and thence 100 metres south, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Alwaye.