Pradosham on 24th June, 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas !! Eranakulam Sri Mahadeva Temple !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rishinagakulam/Eranakulam Sri Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 Shivalays in Kerala consecrated by Lord Parasurama, located in the heart of Eranakulam City, Kerala.  In this temple, Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a Linga as an embodiment of Lord Gaurishankara.

 

Presiding deity - Thiru Eranakulathappan

 

Worshipped by – Arjuna, Devala Rishi/Nagarshi, Vilvamangalam Swamigal,

 

Festivals – Maha Shivarathri, Brahmostavam/Aarattu in the month of Jan/Feb,

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Kirathamoorthi,

 

The legend has that Arjuna, one of the Pancha Pandavas from the great epic Sri Mahabharath underwent severe penance to propitiate Lord Shiva to attain the most powerful weapon Pasupathasthra.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Arjuna and the divine couple appeared before him in the form of a hunter & huntress, witnessed a demon Mookasura was assigned by Duryodhana to kill Arjun was disguised in the form of a wild boar made an effort to attack Arjuna.  The hunter shot an arrow at the boar that instantly killed; simultaneously Arjuna also shot an arrow that hit the boar.  However, the heated argument between the hunter and Arjuna continued to affirm their proficiency in the usage of bow and arrow.  Ultimately, it resulted in a battle between Arjuna and the hunter, eventually the all pervading Lord Shiva won the battle. 

 

Arjuna was badly wounded in the battle made a Linga out of the sand and venerates Lord Shiva with the flowers.  To his surprise the flowers offered on the Linga was falling from the head of hunter and huntress.  Arjuna realized the presence of Supreme Lord Shiva and requested for forgiveness.  The divine couple was satisfied at the dedication of Arjuna, blessed with one of the fiercest weapon Pasupathasthra.  

                                                                                               

As years passes by, Devala was afflicted with a curse become Nagarshi witnessed the Linga consecrated by Arjuna.  Nagarshi sanctified the Linga and installed the Linga at Rishinakulam for worship, when he was prepared to leave this place, tried to remove the Linga from the ground, which was already wedged on the ground, eventually, Devala was released from the curse.   Later, this Linga a personification of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sri Gauri was installed in a magnificent temple constructed for the worship.

 

Worship of Lord Eranakulathappan and his consort Goddess Sri Gauri is capable to remove all the sins and provides liberation to the worshipper.

 

This temple remains open from 3.30 AM to 11.00 AM in the morning and 4.00 PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Pradosham on 26th May 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas !! Sri Kshetra Gokarna/ Gokarnam Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adi Gokarna/Sri Kshetra Gokarna/Gokarnam Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple/Dakshina Kashi is one of the 108 Shivalays located on the coastal areas in Karwar District, Mangalore Karnataka.    It is  one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam glorified by the Shivaite Nayanmars, one of the 7 Mukthisthalam located in Karnataka and others are Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, Kukke Subramnya Swami Temple, Koteswara Temple and Sankaranarayana Temple.  It is prominently known as one of the Siddhi Kshetram and others are Pushkar and Shaligrama respectively.  In this temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Athmalinga.  Sri Mahabaleshwara is also one of the Pancha Maha Kshetrams of Lord Shiva and others are Ejjeshwara, Gunavantheshwara, Murudeshwara and Dhareshwara.

 

Presiding deity – Sri Mahabaleshwar in the form of Athmalinga

 

Theertham – Koti Theertham

 

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Amavasya, Karthika Shukla Purnima Deepostav, Ananga Tryodhashi, Shivadhamanostav, Shiva Pavithraropanam, Dhadhi Shikhyostav, Vijayostav, Shivaganga Vivaha Nischayostav, Prathistosthav, Tripuradeepostav, Shiva Parvati Vivahostav, Maharathostav, Avabhrutha, Angurarpanam,

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Goddess Sri Parvati as Thamra Gowri, Chandikeshwara, Adi Gokarneshwara, Dathathreya,

 

 

 

 

 

Worshipped by – Sri Adishankara, King Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, Kalidasa

 

The legend has that in Thretha Yuga the demon King Ravana underwent severe penances worshipping Lord Shiva.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Ravana and offered him an ‘Athmaling’/ Linga which possess the presence of Lord, instructed him that the Athmalinga will be wedged on the Earth once it is placed.  Lord Vishnu and all the deities were worried of the boon provided to Ravana and appealed to Lord Ganesha to retain the Athmalinga on the sacred land of Gokarna.  Thus, Lord Ganesha disguised in the form of a shepherd and followed Ravana all his way to Lanka.  During the journey, Ravana realized the need for oblation, was not willing to keep the Athmalinga on the Earth.  Eventually, it was handed to the shepherd for safe custody with a condition that the Athmalinga would be in his safe hands and when it becomes too heavy to carry, he will call for Ravana thrice.  If Ravana fails to return within the time frame, it would be placed on the Earth.    Ravana returned from ablutions and found that the Athmalinga was kept on the Earth; he tried all his effort to pull out from the ground but all his efforts were ended in vain.   Consequently, Athmalinga wedged on this sacred land is famously known as Sri Kshetra Gokarna and the presiding deity Athma Linga as Mahabaleshwar.

 

Gokarna stands for the ‘Ear of Cow’, located on the ear shaped confluence of river Gangavali and Agnashini.   Lord Shiva underwent severe penance in the Patal Loka at the advice of Lord Brahma and emerged out through the ear of Mother Earth.  

 

 

Worship of Lord Mahabaleshwara in this temple would eradicate all the sins committed and provides salvation, liberates from the cycles of birth and death to the worshipper.

 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.30 PM in the morning and 5.00 PM and 8.00 PM in the evenings.

 

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

Pradosham on 12th May, 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas !! Iranikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iranikulam Sri Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 Shivalays consecrated by Lord Parasurama located in Mukundapuram/Kuzhur, Trichur, Kerala.  In this temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Linga.

 

Presiding deity – Moolavar Sri Sadasiva Lingam, Lord Shiva with his consort Goddess Sri Parvati & Lord Subramanya.   Sri Sadasiva Lingam/ Uma Maheswara installed in ‘Thekkedathu’ shrine & the presiding deities Lord Shiva, Goddess Sri Parvati & Lord Subramanya/Somaskandha Murthi in ‘Vadakkedathu’ shrine situated within the precinct of this temple.

 

Festivals – Mahasivaratri, Brahmostavam/Arattu, Thiruvathira/Arudra Darisanam, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navaratri, Skandha Shashti, Ayyappan Puja, Vishu,

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Sapthamathas,/Brahmi, Koumari, Vaishnavi, Indrani, Varahi, Chamundi, Maheshwari, Shree Dharma Sastha, Serpent Gods, Goddess Sri Bhuvaneshwari, Bhadrakali, Goddess Sri Durga, Yakshi/Soundarya Devatha, Lord Vishnu/Varadaraja.

 

 

This temple remains open from 4.30 AM to 9.30 AM in the morning and 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM in the evenings.

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Pradosham on 28th March, 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas !! Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harinadvipa/ Harinapura Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 Shivalayas consecrated by Sage Parasurama located in Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala.  It is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva built in 16^th century famous for its exquisite paintings and architectural structure.

 
 

Presiding deity – Lord Mahadeva/Aghoramurthi worshipped as Ardhanareeshwara in the morning, Kiradhamurthi at noon and Samhararudra in the evening. 

 
 

Worshipped by – Pandavas, Maharishi Veda Vyasa,  Sage Kharaprakasha,  Sage Lomaharshana, Sri Adi Shankara, Vilwamangalam,

 
 

Sub shrines – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Dakshinamurthi, Goddess Sri Bhagavathi, Yakshi, Lord Krishna,

 

 

Festivals – Mahashivaratri & 10 days Brahmostavam along with the grand procession of the deity ‘Ezharaponnana Ezhunallathu’,

 

 

 

The legend has that Sage Kharaprakasha attained immense wisdom in the philosophies of beliefs in the worship of Lord Shiva from Sage Malayavan.   Later, Sage Kharaprakasha had a disciple Pingala who was extremely deprived to provide fee for his mentor after completion of studies.   Sage Kharaprakasha graciously refused to receive anything from Pingala, but Pingala felt hurt and kept on insisting his master to ask for Gurudakshina.    In a rage Sage Kharapraksha asked for large quantity of gold coin as fee for mentoring him.    Pingala was shocked and miserable at the command of his mentor; Sage Kharaprakash felt mercy on Pingala and advised him that they will find a solution for this quandary.   They arrived at the sacred land Haridvipa and underwent severe penance worshipping Lord Hari & Lord Hara. Lord Hari was pleased at the devotion of Sage Khara and Pingala and appeared before them, offered them large quantity of gold coins as boon.   Pingala handed the gold coin to his mentor and left the place.  Shortly, Lord Shiva appeared before him, Sage Khara worshipped Lord with the gold coins he has received.  Lord Shiva was pleased at his devotion and returned the gold coins that were utilized for the worship of Lord Vishnu.   Sage Kharaprakasha received three Lingas as boon from Lord Shiva, was installed in  Vaikkom and the remaining two in Ettumanoor & Kaduthuruthi respectively.

 

This temple remains open from 4.30 AM to 12.PM in the morning and 5.00 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Pradosham on 14th March, 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas in Kerala !! Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple, Taliparamba !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Rajareshwara Swamy Temple/Lakshmipuram/Perumchellur/Perum Thrikkovil/Taliparamba Kshetram is one of the 108 Shivalays was consecrated by Sage Parasurama located in Taliparamba, Kannur, Kerala.  This is one of the prominent Shakthi Peedam of Goddess Sri Parvati built during the 11^th century is famous for its brilliant architectural work.  It was sanctified by Sage Parasurama before the commencement of Kali era.

 

Presiding deity – Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy/Perum Thrikovilappan/Perum Chellorappan/ with his consort Goddess Sri Parvati

 

Sub shrines – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Krishna, Lord Bhoothanatha/Aravathappan, Lord Vaidhyanatha, Yakshi, Goddess Sri Annapoorneswari, Goddess Kali,

 

Theertham – Ashramath Chira

 

Worshipped by : Lord Rama, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Goddess Sri Parvathi, Kamadhenu, Sage Agastya, Rishis & Sages, King Mandata, Emperor Muchukunda(son of King Mandata), King Shathasoma,

 

Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple while returning from Lanka.

 

Sage Parasurama consecrated the Linga after listening to its glories from Maharishi Narada.  Vishwakarma, the celestial architect of deities performed the renovation of this temple as desired by Sage Parasurama.

 

Sage Agastya lighten the lamp of this temple while performing the sanctification of the Linga can be seen.  

 

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Vishu, Annual Brahmostavam,

 

The legend has that Lord Shiva presented to Goddess Sri Parvati with three sacred Lingas which was initiated while churning the disc of Lord Surya in order to lessen its fierce heat by Sanakadis at the divine instruction of Lord Brahma.   During the churning process the residue was blended with the nectar of immortality and formed three sacred Lingas.    In Thretha Yuga King Mandata propitiated Lord Shiva with severe austerities and received one of the Lingas as a boon with an instruction that it should be sanctified in a land where there is no cremation takes place, eventually King Mandata found Taliparamba as appropriate land for the installation of the Linga and conducted worship.  After the demise of King Mandata the Linga consecrated was descended down to Earth.

 

Later, in Dwapara Yuga Emperor Muchukundha, son of King Mandata underwent severe austerities and pleased Lord Shiva and received a sacred Linga as boon, eventually it was sanctified in the same place on Earth where King Mandata was installed and that too descended down to Earth in due course of time.  After a period of hundred years, in Dwapara Yuga King Satasoma who was ruled this city was a passionate devotee of Lord Shiva undertook severe penance at the divine instruction of Sage Agastya and Lord Shiva was please at the devotion of King Satasoma and offered him a Linga.  Shortly, it was sanctified in this present temple situated here.

 

This temple remains open from 4.00 AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 8.00 PM in the evenings.

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Pradosham on 12th February, 2014 !! 108 Shivalayas sanctified by Lord Parasurama !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Sage Parasurama, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu as son of Sage Jamadagni and his chaste wife Renuka underwent severe austerities and worshipped Lord Varuna.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Sage Parasurama and appeared before him.  Sage Parasurama reverentially requested Lord Varuna to grant him some pieces of land as a boon, in order to offer as alms to Brahmins.  Lord Varuna instructed Parasurama to mark the mass of land with his divine weapon Parasu.  Thus, Sage Parasurama tossed his Parasu from the land of Gokarna to Kanyakumari created a sacred land Kerala, ultimately it was offered as boon.   Consequently, 108 Shivalayas and 108 Durga temples were consecrated to conduct worship for the welfare of the people lived in this sacred land.

Srimad Dakshina Kailasam Sri Perur Raviswaram

Suchindram Chovvaram Mathur Thrippangott Atha Mundaiyur

Sri Mandhamkunnu Chovvallur Panancheri Korattiyum

Pura Mundekkad Avugannur Kollur Thirumangalam

Thrikkariyur Kunnapram Sri Vellur

Ashtamangalam Airanikulam Kainur Gokarnam Eranakulam

Parivalur Adattum Nal Parippil

Chathamangalam Paraparambu Thrikkur Panaiyur Vettilla

Vaikkam Rameshwaram Rendum Yettumanur Edakkolam

Chemmanthu Aluva Pinne Thirumittakottu Cherthala

Kallattupuzha Thrikkunnu Cheruvathuru Ponganam

Thrikkapaleeswaram Moonum Avittathur Perummala

Kollathum Kattakambala Pazhayannuru Perakam

Athamballi Ambilikkadu Cheranalluru Maniyur

Thali Nalum Kodungallur Vanchiyur Vanchuleswaram

Panjjarkulam Chittukulam Alathur Atha Kottiyur

Thrippalur Perumthatta Thrithala Thiruvallayum

Vazhapalli Puthupalli Mangalam Thirunakkara

Kodumbur Ashtamikkovil Pattanakkadu Thashtayil

Killikurussiyum Puthur Kumbha Sambhava Mandiram

Someshwaram Cha Vengallur Kottarakkara Kandiyur

Palayur Mahadeva Chellur Atha Naumbura

Mannur Thrichaliyur Shrungapuram Kotturu Mammiyur

Parambum Thali Thirunavaya Karikkodu Cherthala

Kottapuram Muthuvara Valappaya Chendhamangalam

Thrikkandiyur Peruvanam Thiruvalur Chirakkalum

Ipparanjava Noottettum Bakthiyothu Padikkuvor

Dheham Nasikkilletheedum Mahadevande Sannidhe

Pradoshathil Japichalkilashesha Duritham Kedum

Yathra Yathra Shivakshetram Thathra Thathra Namamyaham

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!