Sreekanteswaram Temple Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala

Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple of the god Shiva situated in Thiruvananthapuram, in the Indian state of Kerala. Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple is considered the original abode of the god.

This temple is more than 700 years old.

Legend

As per legend, an old woman sweeper of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple distinguished the Swyambhoo (self manifested) Shiva Linga idol while she was resting at this place. She got ‘Darshan’ (vision) of Shiva at the spot.

Deities

Shiva is the temple’s presiding deity. Although his consort Parvati has no idol, she is said to be ever-present in the Sanctum. The deity is called Gowri Shankara (lit. “Shiva with Parvati”). A Sanctum for Sastha is within the Chuttambalam. Ganesha (Ganapati), the serpent gods and Krishna dwell outside the Chuttambalam. Many devotees argue that the idol worshipped as Bhootathan is actually a Yakshi. Hanuman (Anjaneya) and Murugan (Kartikeya), both carved on pillars near the flagmast, receive worship. All the deities face east.

Adjacent to the shrine of Ganapati stands an idol of Goddess Parashakti who was worshiped in a nearby Kalari. In the Kalari she was worshipped with ‘makaara panchakam’ in the Shakteya Sampradaya.