CATEGORY : PILGRIM TOURISM, TEMPLES
Kaviyoor Mahadeva
Temple is one of the most ancient Mahadeva temples in Kerala. Located at the
village of Kaviyoor (one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala), in
Pathanamthitta District, the main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva. Lord
Vishnu is also worshipped here. It is one of the popular temples, under
Thiruvalla Group of Temples. The temple is commonly known as Thrikkaviyoor
Mahadeva Temple. The shrine is also known as Hanuman Temple and Sriparvati
Temple.
The main offering to the presiding deity at Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is Aval
Nadyam and Vada Mala, which can be offered after making a receipt from the
counter. The day-to-day activities of the temple include a number of rituals
performed to please the presiding deity. The temple also conducts Hanuman
Jayanti, which is a ceremonious occasion celebrated to commemorate the birthday
of Lord Hanuman.
EstablishmentKey Features
Kaviyoor Mahadevar
Temple is a uniquely structured temple. It is considered to be built in the
early years of the 10th century. 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950 AD has references
of the offerings given to this temple. However, there is no special story or
exact dates for the construction of the temple. Two dates - 950-951 AD have
been written in the basement of its main sanctum, which depicts that it is one
of the oldest Hindus temples in Kerala. The opinion of its oldness has been
given by many historians, in which Stella Kramrich calls Kaviyoor Mahadeva
Temple as one of the first structural temples of Kerala.
Built in a typical
Kerala style of architecture and exuding optimum architectural grandeur,
Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest structural temples of the state.
It features a circular Sreekovil with Sandhara style, copper capped roof,
golden flag mast and 18 steps at the eastern entry. Various parts of the
beautiful temple are adorned with wooden carvings. It is believed that the holy
icons established in the temple belong to late sixteenth or early seventeenth
century. Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple has a huge collection of priceless ornaments
bestowing creative fineness of the artists of Kaviyoor. The main Prakara
(Sreekovil) has been covered with 44 skillfully crafted rafter shoes.
How to Reach
From Kaviyoor
Mahadevar Temple bus stop, one can board private and KSRTC buses to the nearby
towns that include Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry, Changanacherry, and Mallappally.