Mahadevar Temple (Kandiyoor)

India / Kerala / Mavelikara / Kandiyoor / Kandiyoor
Kandiyoor (Kandeepuram in Sanskrit) Mahadevar Temple is situated 2 km west of Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district. This temple is also called Dakshina Kasi(Kasi of the South). It is believed that the temple is located at the site where Shiva cut off Brahma's head. Sree Kandiyoor derives its name from this story, which gave Shiva the name, Sree Kantan. Kandiyoor is one among the 64 Brahmin Gramams created by Lord Parasurama and Mahadeva temple is the grama kshetram.






In 823 Cheraman Perumal Nayanar Rajasekhara Varman (AD 805-824) built the Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple.The construction of this temple marked the beginning of a new era Kandiyoor Abdam. Kandiyoor was the early capital of Odanadu(means the land of bamboo) or Onattukara(means the land of Onam and Maveli). The temple was of Odanadu King. Later it became the part of Kayamkulam kingdom. It was at Kandiyoor that the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma gained the decisive victory over Kayamkulam Raja.



Main deity is Shiva facing east. The 10 days long annual festival is in Dhanu(December/January) with arattu on Thiruvathira day.





Architecture


Kandiyoor temple is noted for its impressive architecture, emphasized on stone missionary as opposed to brick and wood work. There are ancient inscriptions of archaeological importance. This temple is also noted for stone sculptures. Some stone writings found are of AD 946. Descriptions about this temple can be seen in the literary works like Unnuneeli Sandesam, Sivavilasom written by Damodara Chakyar and Suka Sandesam.



An unusual compound wall of Gajaprishta syle (Back of the elephent) of architecture which height about 10 feet is believed to be constructed by Bhothaganas of lord Siva in a single night. According to this myth the walls of the near by Chengannur Mahadeva temple and Mannar Kuratty Mahadeva Temple are constructed in the similar way. Bhoothaganas could not complete the construction of wall of Chenannur Mahadeva temple and is remaining as such leaving a small portion.



Sub deities/Upadevathas


There are 11 sub-shrines which is unusual for a major Kerala temple. Sub deities are Vishnu, Parvatheesan, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, Gosala Krishnan, Sastha, Sankaran, Sreekandan, Vadakkumnathan, Annapoomeswary, Ganapathy, Subramanyan, Moola Ganapathy and Brahma Rakshas. There are six Shivalinga Prathishtas in this temple. The main linga is called Kandeepureswaran or Mahadeva. There are sub shrines for Sankara, Sreekanda, Vadakkumnadha, Parvatheesa and Mrityunjaya.



Pooja Timings

Morning

Temple opening and Nirmalya Darsanam: 5:00 to 5:45 am
Usha pooja 05:45 to 07:00 am
Usha Sree Bali 07:30 am
Panthiradi Pooja 08:30 am
Mrithyunjaya Homam 09:30 am
Navakam Kalasha Pooja 10:00 am
Ucha Pooja 10:30 am
Nada Adakkal 11:00 am

Evening

Temple opening 05:00 pm
Deeparadhana 06:30 to 07:00 pm
Athazha Pooja 07:30 pm
Atazha Sree Bali 07:45 pm
Nada Adakkal : 8:00 pm


Offerings/Vazhipadu


Jaladhara, Rudrabhishekam, Ksheera Dhara, Ganapathy Homam, Bhagavathy Seva, Karuka Homam, Nirapara, Swayamvararchana, Shangabhishekam, Rektha Pushpanjaly, Muzhukappu, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Sahasranamarchana, Neeranjanam, Kalbhabhishekam, Abhishekam, Mala Charthu, Adithya Namaskaram, Anthi pooja, Choroonu, Thulabharam, Udayada Charthu, Vidyarambham



Location


Kandiyoor temple located just 1km west of Mavelikara town and 3 kms from Mavelikara railway station on the Kayamkulam -Thiruvalla State highway. It is 8 kms from NH47 deviated from Nangarkulangara near Haripad or 9kms from Kayamkulam. Through MC road, it is nearly 20kms from Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Pandalam and Adoor.



Nearby Temples


Mavelikkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Koypalli Karazhma Devi Temple, Mavelikkara Puthiyakavu Bhagavathy Temple, Prayikkara Dhanwanthary Temple, Thripperunthura Mahadeva Temple, Nangyarkulangara Sree Krishna Temple, Thattarambalam Saraswathy Temple, Mavelikkara Ganapathy Temple, Evoor Sree Krishna Temple, Haripad Subrahmanya Temple, Mannarassala Nagaraja Temple, Vettikkottu Nagaraja Temple, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple


If any more info or mistake pls update..........
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   9°15'11"N   76°31'47"E

Comments

  • KOPPARA PADEETATHIL KANDIYOOR MAVELIKARA
  • One of the 108 famous Shiva temples of the world, Kandiyoor Mahadeva Temple, popularly known as DAKHINA KASHI, is unique in archeological features and is one of the biggest and ancient temples in Kerala. Mrigandu Muni (Saint Kousikan), the father and guru of famous Markandeyan, got a beautiful idol of Kiratha Moorthy, while taking bath in the holy river Ganga. He heard a divine voice that the idol must be laid in a very holy and suitable place.). His long search for a most suitable place ended at this place - Kandathil nall uru (Most beautiful place ever seen) – Kanda-uru become Kandiyoor. Thus the temple was established.Another story about the temple says that the temple is located at the site where Shiva cut off Brahma's head. Sri Kandiyoor derives its name from this story, which gave Shiva the name, Sri Kantan.Centuries later Parasurama , the avatar of Vishnu, renovated the temple. He gave the tanthrik right to the family of Tharananallur. As per Ilamkulam Kunjan Pillai, the second king of Kulasekhara kingdom, Rajasekhara Varma, re-constructed Kandiyoor temple.Situated in the banks of Achankovil river, Kandiyoor Mahadevar Temple is one km west of Mavelikara town, north side of state highway SH-6, in Alappuzha District. It spreads around 7.5 acres consists of around 12 sub shrines (Upadevalayas) which is unusual even for any major Kerala temple. The temple contains the sub-shrines considered to have been made especially sacred by the presence of all Gods of Hindu Pantheon. There are ancient inscriptions of archaeological importance and it is noted for stone sculptures.It is believed that 108 deities of hindu mythology are present in this temple. Siva is worshiped here as Dekhinamurthy in the morning, Uma-maheswara at the noon and as Kirathamoorthy in the evening. One is blessed with knowledge if he worships at Kandiyoor in the morning, at noon with post-martial bliss and with removal of obstacles in the evening. Sree Sankaran will bless you with knowlwdge, Sree Kanda will destroy all your sins, Mrithyungaya will vanquish death, Vishwanarha gives you peace and Parvatheesha gives a joyful life with your partner. One can worship Siva in Panchmukha form by worshiping from the South-West corner of Pradakshina Vazhy by viewing five Thazikakudams of Shiva temples. This is considered to be equel to the Kailasa Visit. People who cannot go to Vaikam can pray at Kandiyoor on the Ashtamay, both are equel.
This article was last modified 9 years ago