Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple: A Sanctuary of Ancient Dravidian Art
Opening Hours
4:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Subject to change; confirm before visiting)
Best Time To Visit
October to March (Pleasant weather), Arattu festival during February-March
Aarti Timing
Usha Pooja : 6:00 AM (Approximate)Pantheeradi Pooja : 8:30 AM (Approximate)
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is renowned for its exquisite murals and architectural grandeur. This ancient temple stands as a testament to Kerala's rich artistic and spiritual heritage. A visit here provides a deeply cultural and devotional experience, resonating with centuries of tradition.
Expectations for Pilgrims
Witnessing the ancient **murals**, especially the iconic 'Pradosha Nritham' representing Shiva's dance, showcasing Kerala's artistic mastery.
Participating in or observing the unique **Ezharaponnana procession** during the annual festival, a dazzling display of golden elephant effigies.
Sacred Prasadam: Blessings from Lord Shiva
Prasadam at Ettumanoor Temple embodies purity and blessings. These offerings are traditional and reflect the temple's deep-rooted customs.
Prasad / Prasadam :
Note : Prasadam is distributed within the temple premises after specific pujas and rituals. It is typically offered free of charge to devotees.
What to Offer: Sacred Devotions to Lord Shiva
Devotees can offer various items to Lord Shiva at Ettumanoor Temple, expressing their devotion and seeking blessings. These offerings are deeply symbolic and contribute to the sacred atmosphere.
Devotee's Offerings
Local priests can guide devotees on the appropriate offerings and rituals. Offerings should be made with a pure heart and sincere devotion.
Essential Experiences: Immerse Yourself in Ettumanoor's Spirituality
Activities:
Circumambulation (Pradakshina)
Sacred Rituals & Pujas: Deepening Your Spiritual Connection
Ettumanoor Temple hosts several daily pujas and special rituals. These ceremonies are integral to the temple's spiritual life and offer devotees an opportunity to connect with the divine.
Attending Pujas:
Non Attending Pujas:
Pujas and offerings can be arranged through the temple administration office. It's advisable to inquire in advance, especially for special rituals or festivals.
Historical Roots & Profound Meaning: Ettumanoor's Enduring Legacy
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple boasts a rich history spanning centuries, reflecting Kerala's cultural and religious evolution.
Significance: A Paramount Spiritual Beacon
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple holds profound spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva, symbolizing devotion, artistic excellence, and cultural heritage.
Key Aspects:
- Spiritual Center A prominent center of Shiva worship in Kerala, attracting pilgrims from far and wide seeking blessings and spiritual fulfillment.
- Cultural Landmark A repository of Kerala's artistic and architectural heritage, showcasing the region's rich cultural traditions.
Opening Hours
Sunday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Monday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Friday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Saturday : 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
User Review
Total Reviews : 20022
- Star Rating :
Author Name : Navneet V Nair
Review Time : a week ago
Review : The Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, located in Kottayam district, is one of Kerala's most sacred and historically significant temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is not only a center of deep spiritual devotion but also a masterpiece of Kerala’s temple architecture and heritage.
Stepping into the temple, the ambiance instantly calms the mind. The air is filled with the scent of sandalwood and camphor, and the rhythmic chanting from the sanctum brings a sense of peace. Even during peak hours, there is a gentle discipline among the devotees, allowing everyone to experience their spiritual moments undisturbed. The temple's tiled roof, golden flagpost, and deepams (lamps) lend a divine atmosphere, making it an ideal place for prayer and reflection.
The temple's history is rich, with references dating back over a thousand years. It is believed that the Pandavas and Sage Vyasa once worshipped here. The murals inside, particularly the famous “Pradosha Nritham” (Shiva's divine dance), are considered some of the finest in Indian temple art. These ancient paintings continue to attract art lovers and devotees alike.
One of the most fascinating and unique aspects of the Ettumanoor temple is the presence of the legendary 7½ Ponnana – seven large and one half-sized golden elephant figurines. These are kept safely in the temple's strong room and are displayed to devotees only once a year during the Ezhara Ponnana Utsavam, a ritual filled with grandeur and deep symbolism. These golden elephants are believed to have been offerings from the Travancore kings, adding to the temple’s historic and royal legacy.
Visiting the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is not just a spiritual journey but a walk through Kerala’s sacred history. The peaceful ambiance, timeless traditions, and cultural richness make it a truly unforgettable experience. - Star Rating :
Author Name : Ajay Sudhakaran
Review Time : 2 months ago
Review : Visiting Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is truly a soul-soothing and divine experience. As a devotee, stepping into this sacred space fills me with an overwhelming sense of peace and spirituality. The temple’s majestic architecture, adorned with beautiful murals and the legendary “Ezharaponnana” (seven and a half golden elephants), showcases the rich cultural heritage and devotion of generations.
The serene atmosphere, combined with the fragrance of incense and the sound of devotional chants, creates a deeply spiritual ambiance. The sanctity of Lord Shiva’s presence is truly felt during the daily rituals and poojas, especially the morning abhishekam and the grand festival celebrations.
The temple premises are well-maintained, and the staff is courteous, ensuring that devotees have a smooth darshan. The spiritual energy here is indescribable; it’s an experience that words can hardly capture. I always leave the temple feeling blessed and rejuvenated.
If you are looking to connect with the divine and experience a profound sense of devotion, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is the place to be. It’s not just a visit; it’s a spiritual journey.
Om Namah Shivaya! - Star Rating :
Author Name : Jayakumarr C
Review Time : 3 weeks ago
Review : Most popular lord shiva temple. Kerala's temple architecture reflects in its perfection attracting history buffs. Spacious temple premises helps pilgrimers to take rest. The popular belief is that this temple if worshipped after visiting the lord shiva temples at vaikom and kaduthuruthy on the same day before noon is highly auspicious. Here in ettumanoor the deity is placed facing west in garbagraha and is adorned in three forms during the day and each form have its own significance. Idol of goddess parvati is placed in back of srikovil facing east which remains to be closed as per legendry belief. Idol of lord dakshinamoorthy facing east is also placed nearby. Other sub deities can also be seen. The stone carved copper plated sanctum sanctorum is round in shape with golden dome. Among the daily rite the dhara abhishekam at 10.30 am during ushapooja is the most important and the prasadam is considered as having medicinal effect. Pouring oil on the big five wiked unextinquish lamp (kedavilakku) placed infront is the important offering. Darshanam of ezharaponnana (exhibiting the elephant statues carved out of wood with gold platting for darshan) during annual festival is popular. Temple administration should arrange guidance for young first timers related with temple customs to carry over its glory to future generations as the social media is with wrong informations. West side is the entrance to the temple. Outside on the north west side locates a beautiful shrine of lord krishna to which devotees to visit after worshipping ettumanoorappan. Parking available. Free food provided. - Star Rating :
Author Name : Raghunandan Ramachandran
Review Time : 3 months ago
Review : Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Kottayam, Kerala, India
The name of the place had its mythological origin from the word 'man oor' in Malayalam, which means the place of deer as 'maan' means deer and 'oor' means place. Another version is that the name originated from the 'Ettu Mana Ooru', ie, 'The Land of Eight Namboothiri Manas' or 'Ashta Grihas'. These Eight Manas (Brahmin families) are the original Ooralans of great Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. It is also believed that at this place (ooru) Lord Siva appeared in Eight (Ettu) different forms (maanam) and hence the name Ettumanoor.
Temple tradition has it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple.
About the Ezhara Ponnana festival :
Ezhara Ponnana is a festival at the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam, Kerala, that features seven-and-a-half golden elephants. The festival is celebrated annually in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/March).
What is Ezhara Ponnana?
Ezhara means "seven-and-a-half" and Ponnana means "golden elephant"
The eight statues are made from jackfruit wood and covered with nearly 13 kilograms of gold
Seven of the elephants are two feet tall and the eighth is half that size
What happens during the festival?
The festival includes an Aaraattu procession, elephant pageantry, and cultural performances
The procession of the golden elephants takes place at night on the eighth day of the festival
The Ezhara Ponnana Darshanam (ceremonial sighting) is the high point of the festival - Star Rating :
Author Name : Sumit Soman
Review Time : 3 months ago
Review : Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
Temple Structure and Deities
🍒 1. Main Shrine : The temple's main shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it houses a majestic Shiva linga.
🍒 2. Sub-Shrines : The temple complex also has sub-shrines dedicated to other deities, including Lord Ganesh, Lord Subramanya, and Goddess Parvati.
🍒 3. Murals and Carvings : The temple's walls and ceilings are adorned with vibrant murals and intricate carvings, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
.........✨ Festivals and Celebrations ✨.......
🍒 1. Ettumanoor Mahotsavam : The temple's annual festival, Ettumanoor Mahotsavam, is a grand celebration that attracts devotees from all over Kerala.
🍒 2. Shivaratri : The temple celebrates Shivaratri, a significant Hindu festival, with great fervor and devotion.
🍒 3. Daily Poojas : The temple performs daily poojas and rituals, including the famous "Ezhara Ponnana" ritual, where the deity is adorned with gold ornaments.
...........✨ Temple Timings and Dress Code✨........
🍒 1. Temple Timings : The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
🍒 2. Dress Code : Devotees are expected to dress modestly, with men wearing traditional Kerala attire (mundu and shirt) and women wearing sarees or salwar kameez.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring Kerala's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.