Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is a Hindu temple in Kaviyoor, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India dating back over 1000 years. It is commonly called Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The main deity is Lord Mahadeva (Shiva and Vishnu) and the Temple is also known for its Hanuman temple. This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswom Board under Thiruvalla group of temples.
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Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950 AD has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. But the actual time of construction is not known, like any other old temples. Certainly, this temple belongs to the oldest period of structural temples.
Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is also known as Hanuman Temple, and Sriparvati Temple. The similar Construction of such temple can be found near Aluva, called Tiruvairanikulam Sri Parvati temple. Similarity can be reviewed as both temple having Lord Siva pratishta(idol), and behind the temple there is pratishta of Sri Parvati.
Tiruvairanikulam Sri Parvati temple having a speciality that, pujas for Sri Parvati doing only 12 days per year, and there is daily Pujas for Lord Siva. This temple is famous for Mangalya pooja. It is believed that those who are visiting and pray this temple can get ideal counterparts, without any delay. Main pujas and offering includes, pattu & thali, ina pudava etc. Ideal visiting time is on end of December.
There are two inscriptions on the basement of the main sanctum dated 950-951 AD. The Sasanaas are surely an addition, since they were written after the temple was constructed. See 'Kaviyoor' Kaviyoor#History
It stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala. It is one of the earliest structural temples of Kerala. Several historians, like Stella Kramrich has this opinion. The perfect round Sreekovil with Sandhara style and its peculiar basement clarifies this opinion. The temple with its copper covered roof, golden flag mast and the eighteen steps at the eastern entrance, is one of the most beautiful temples in Kerala. The balickalpura, vaathilmaadam , namaskara mandapam and sreekoivil( sanctum) of this temple are decorated with wood carvings. These sculptures belongs to late sixteenth or early seventeenth century. These carvings are based on puranic texts like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The wood work of this temple was done by local sculptors, belonging to Thekkethil family. Each and every part of this temple radiates architectural splendor. All the 44 Rafter shoes of the main prakara( Sreekoil) is covered with beautifully crafted rafter shoes. The 24 rafters of the Namaskara Mandapam were also covered with rafter shoes, but these pieces are now missing. The Temple has a huge collection of precious ornaments which also shows the artistic excellence of the sculptors of Kaviyoor. These include Swarna prabhamandalam, Golden Nettippattams and ezhunnallippu chatams, Golden pots, Golden Reliefs of Deities, Golden Umbrellas, Golden Chains and Several materials with precious gems.
The temple festival is held in December–January of every year. Hanuman Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with the temple festival.
The main offering to Hanuman at this temple include Aval Nadyam and Vada Mala. One have to make take a recipt from the receipt counter before making the offering. Aval Nadyam is given on demand while Vada Mala is given after a month or so due to the large number of offerings per day.
Other common offerings like Ganapati Homan and other Hindu rituals are also offered in this Temple.