Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is situated 2 km away from Vaikom town and 12 km away from Kottayam city centre. Nearest railway stations are ettumanoor and Kottayam railway stations and the nearest Airport is Nedumbassery International Airport in Cochin which is 77 kms away. Ettumanoor is easily assessable by bus from Kottayam town.
Pilgrim
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
About Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is situated in a small town called Ettumanoor near Vaikom in Kottayam District of Kerala. This temple is famous for its Nataraja murals in the gopuram and the seven and half elephant finished in gold also known as ezharaponnana. The fresco painting of the dance of Lord Shiva known as Pradosha Nritham is one of the finest wall paintings seen in the whole country. The main worship here is the lighting of lamps and you can see an ever glowing lamp as soon as you enter the temple. Thulabharam is the important rituals of this temple where devotees make offering from gold to fruits as per their weight for favors received from the god. People here call the deity as Ettumanoorappan. Thiruvadira and eighteen part worship during Shivarathri are the two annual festival of this temple and the most important event is the procession of Ezharaponnana also known as Ezharaponnana ezhunallathu.
History or Myth
Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is one of the three ancient Shiva temple built by an asura called Khara. The present day temple is reconstructed in the 16th century with Dravidian mural painting on the walls and outside the main entrance. Ettumanoor is also known as the land of the deer and it is believed that sage Vyasa and the Pandavas visited this temple for prayers. The architecture this temple is unique and stands out to be the ultimate craftsmanship of the vishwakarma Sthapathis in their engineering skills.
Tips or precaution
- Take directions from a temple staff before entering the sanctum of the temple.
- If you are new to Kottayam city ensure that you take directions from a police aid post or tourism centre to reach the temple.
How to reach
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BY AIR
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is only 78 Kilometres away from the Cochin International airport(Nedumbasserry). If coming by Air at Nedumbassery International Airport take a train to Kottayam and a Taxi to the Temple. -
BY TRAIN
You can reach by train from any part of India. Nearest railwaystation is Kottayam Railway Station(11 Kilometers). From Kottayam Railway station you can take a bus or taxi to the temple. Most of the trains have a stop at Ettumanoor station. -
BY ROAD
Bus service is available from all the places in Kerala and luxury buses are available from most of the South Indian cities. Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is well connected by road from all cities in the state.
Highlights or specialities
- Mural paintings
- Pradosha Nritham painting
- Ezharaponnana ezhunallathu
- Eighteen part worship during Shivarathri
- Thiruvadira festival
- Thulabharam