Vazhappally Sree Mahadeva Temple Changanassery,Kerala

Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple is a Hindu temple located in Vazhappally near Changanassery in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple is believed to be constructed by the first Chera king of Kodungallur. The legends suggest that the installation of the idol of god Mahadeva (Shiva) was performed by Parasurama himself. This temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples established by Parasurama. It is one of the few temples in Kerala where two nalambalams and two flag-masts are dedicated. The temple, a Grama Kshetra, also contains some seventeenth century wood carvings (daru silpas) depicting figurines from epics. A Vattezhuttu inscription on the northern part of the base of the cultural shrine indicates that the repairs were completed in Kollam Era 840 (1665 CE).

History

Flag-mast of the Vazhappally Temple
The temple was very popular in the second Chera dynasty. After the fall of the Cheras, the place came under several rulers, the Thekkumkur and Travancore kings were prominent, witnessed many brutal wars, treachery, murder and annihilation. However, in all these cases, the temple was saved from destruction by the will of God and the prayers of the devotees. The legend behind this concept is that Chera king Palli Bana Perumal, when de-throwned by the Bhattas (learned Brahmins) following a defeat in argument, traveled to Neelamperoor. The news came to the ears of the Potti Leaders of the Pathu Illams (Chengazhi Muttam, Kainikkara, Eravi Mangalam, Kunnithidasserry, Athrasserry, Kolencherry, Kizhangazhuthu, Kannancherry, Thalavana etc.), that the king is going to install his own personal idol at Neelamperoor. The Potti Leaders of the Pathu Illams thus managed to run with the idol of Neelamperoor Shiva and install it at Vazhappally.

Legend

In the time of Pallibana perumal, it was decided to convert the Neelamperoor Shiva Temple into a Buddhist monastery.[5] It is believed that the ten Brahmin families (later known as Pattiyillam Pottimar) came to Vazhappally by shaking the Shiva Linga of the temple of Neelamperoor and then merged with the existing shiva temple in Vazhappally. The Shiva lingam brought from Neelamperoor was first placed in the Devalokam at north part of Vazhappally gramam.[6] Later, when they tried to shake the Shiva Linga but was unable to do so, Parasurama appeared to the grieving Brahmin family and offered him the Shiva Linga he had worshiped and advised him to build the temple on the Ardhanariswara concept. He built a huge shrine for the Shiva Linga and the Parvati idol.

The sanctum sanctorum was built inside the three walls of the rounded stone granite shrine to the east of the Shiva Linga and to the west the Parvathi idol. Dakshinamoorthy and Ganapathi were placed inside the sanctum sanctorum as a vision south. In the south-eastern corner of the Nambalam, there was a large Tidapalli built. Raja built the subshrine temple for Sastha at the Kannimoola outside the Nambalam temple. He was promoted to the position of temple tantric rites to the Taranalloor series and the Tulu Brahmin family of Kasaragod for priests for daily pooja. The main priest was appointed as an umbrella and provided accommodation in the Kuthasanthi Math.