Ongallur Taliyil Shiva Temple Palakkad,Kerala

The Ongallur Taliyil Shiva Temple is located near Pattambi in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is famous for its intricate laterite sculptures. Believed to be over 1000 years old, it is widely regarded as one of the oldest temples in the state. The temple is more than just a religious site and plays a central role in the social and cultural life of the local community.

Deities of the Temple
The primary deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, a prominent deity in Hinduism, symbolizing creation, preservation, and destruction.

Devotees seek his blessings for strength, courage, and inner peace. Alongside Lord Shiva, the temple reveres subsidiary deities such as Ayyappa, representing truth and righteousness, Dakshinamurti, an embodiment of Shiva as a guru, and Ganapati, known as the remover of obstacles. The temple belonged to six manas or houses of Namboodiri Brahmins, a wealthy aristocratic caste group of Kerala.

Traditional Temple Architecture
The architecture follows the traditional Kerala style architecture with intricate wooden carvings and gopurams (ornate temple towers). The sanctum sanctorum, where the main deity resides, faces east. The Shiva linga (the devotional image in Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva) in the temple is noted for its large girth.

The architectural elements of the temple reflect Kerala’s rich artistic and architectural heritage.