Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Shri Mahadeva Temple Kaduthuruthy,Kerala
Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple or the Thaliyil Shiva Temple is one amongst the trio of most legendary Shiva Temples in Kerala. The Mahadeva temple was installed by the demon Khara (of the Khara Dhooshana demon duo mentioned in the famous epic Ramayana) along with Ettumanoor and Vaikom temple shrines. The idols at Vaikom and Ettumanoor temples are believed to be installed at the same time by the demon Khara. As there are replicas of Vaikom & Ettumanoor Shiva shrines in the temple, it is believed a visit here before noon is as good as a visiting all the three important Shiva temples (Vaikom, Ettumanoor, and Thaliyil Mahadeva) on the same day at the same time. Visiting the three Shiva temples at Vaikom. Kaduthuruthy and Ettumanoor on a single day will bring prosperity and the blessings of Shiva. Karthaveerarjuneeyam – the mythological story is depicted in carvings at the temple.
History of Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple
Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple was under the jurisdiction of the Vadakkumkoor dynasty. It is said that nearly 300 years ago the temple was consumed by fire, but the mandapam, with its beautiful carvings, was spared. As the fire was spreading out, the chief priest of the temple clasped the idol at his breast and gave up his life to protect it. The idol of this chief priest is erected at the northern part of the shrine to commemorate the event.
A Rajah of the Vadakkumkoor dynasty used to worship the three deities at Kaduthuruthy, Vaikom, and Ettumanoor on the same day but as he became old, he could not continue it. Hence, he arranged for the replicas of the deities at Vaikom & Ettumanoor to be installed at the Kaduthuruthy temple. It is believed that by worshipping the deity at the Kaduthuruthy temple, the devotees will get the benefit of visiting both Vaikom & Ettumanoor temples.
When the place was under the reign of Vadakkumkoor dynasty a festival lasting for twenty-eight days was celebrated at the temple. Soon it gradually came to an end. Maharani Sethu Lekshmi Bai revived the festival and enforced orderliness and punctuality in the temple observances. Later the Vadakkumkoor dynasty merged into Travancore & the family deity fell into misfortune for about a century. The priests found it hard to meet with the daily expenses of the temple, but two families Mangalathur (Panicker) and Thazhathu (Kaimal) came forward with financial help to maintain the decorum of the temple. Today Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple has risen to be one of the major temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The legend behind Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple
The legend of the Kaduthuruthy temple is linked with the great epic Ramayana. As per legend, Kharasura – mentioned in Ramayana installed the Shiva lingam. An ardent devotee of Shiva he performed strict penance at Chidambaram. Impressed by his Tapasya Shiva granted him a boon & 3 Lingams. He traveled southward & carried one in each hand and the third in his mouth. Overcome by the weight of the Lingams, he tried to rest at Vaikom & then at Ettumanoor and the Lingams got installed at each place. The last Shiva Lingam installed was from his mouth & the site got the name “Kadichiruthy Prathishta.” (Kadichu – bite, thuruthy – to be placed). Hence it is believed that darshan of all three Lingams before noon on a single day fulfills wishes.
