Thiruvanchikulam Temple
| Thiruvanchikulam Temple or ThiruVanjai Kalam തിരുവഞ്ചിക്കുളം | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Thrissur district, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 10°12′37″N 76°12′23″E / 10.2103°N 76.2064°ECoordinates: 10°12′37″N 76°12′23″E / 10.2103°N 76.2064°E |
| Built | 9th century |
| Type | Cultural |
| State Party |
 India |
  Location in Kerala, India | |
Mahadeva Temple or Thiruvanchikkulam Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kodungallur in Thrissur district of Kerala in India. This is the only Shaivite Thiruppathy in Kerala, out of 274 in India.
History
This is the 266th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Malai nadu. Shiva is the family god of the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam after they came to power following the decline of Chera Empire). The temple has very good mural paintings and is a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple has the oldest reference in history in old Tamil Sangam literature; references to Sundara Murti Nayanar, and Ilango Adikal, the Chera prince who was the brother of Cheran Chenkuttavan can also be seen in the temple premises. It is one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India, where Shiva is said to live along with his whole family. The temple is associated with Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3]
The capital city of the Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram, was built around the temple; it was protected by high fortifications on all sides and had extensive pathways and palaces. This temple was attacked and damaged during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala; the copper roofing and gold and jewels were looted. Tipu's Muslim soldiers fled the temple complex only after the arrival of the Travancore Army of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. The temple was rebuilt by Paliath Achan of Kochi/Perumpadappu Swaroopam.
References
- ↑ "Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple". India9.com. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
- ↑ "Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple". MustseeIndia. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
- ↑ "Thiruvanchikulam". HolyIndia. Retrieved 2012-06-16.