Sree Mahadeva temple of Pandalam is one among the 108 Shiva temples consecrated by the great 'Sannyasin Khara Muni'and is on the banks of Achankovil river. The unique feature is at the eastern corner of the temple, Achankovil flows close to the namaskar mandapam.
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| Pandalam Mahadeva temple,Kerala keralatemples.com |
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| Pandalam Mahadeva Temple, kerala. templepurohit.com |
Pandalam Mahadeva Temple, situated in between Thottakonam and Malampuzha villages (district: Pathanamthitta) in the state of Kerala, is one among the 108 oldest Shiva temples consecrated by the great 'Sanayasin Khara Muni'. Located on the left banks of the Achankovil river, with one side in the banks of the river, this temple is also known as 'Mukkal Vattam' 3 km away from Pandalam town. It is believed that Lord Parasurama had installed the main idol in the Garbhagriha of this temple.
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| Pandalam Mahadeva temple Kerala instagram.com |
The interesting feature of this Shiva temple is the near-by river water touches lower part of the Sreekovil of Mahadeva- something like the Ganges flowing downward from Shiva's 'Jada' (hair). Additionally, the temple has the idols of Lord Ganesh (Ganapathy), 'Maya- Ekshi Amma', Lord Ayyappa, Nagaraja (Lord Snake), Lord Subramanian, Brahma Rakshas and Rakshas and they are also worshipped here. One can find almost numerous deities mentioned in the Hindu pantheon. So, this temple is an embodiment of Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva.
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| Pandalam Mahadeva Temple, Kerala. templepurohit.com |
The annual major festival here is Kettukazhcha festival that is held for 10 days. It is celebrated in 'Dhanu masa' November–December every year. the festival commences, as in other temples, with a temple flag-hoisting ceremony- 'kodiyettu' and it comes to a close with 'aarattu' The administration of this temple is taken care of by Mahadeva Seva Samithi in which 12 villages participate. Mahashivratri is yet another major festival Throughout night, there will be pujas, prayers and Koothu ( classical, folk dances, mythological dramas, etc).
In this town of Pandalam , yet another place of veneration is Sri Ayyappan, a famous place.
https://keralatemples.info/temple-details/pandalam-mahadeva-temple
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandalam_Mahadeva_Temple
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandalam_Mahadeva_Temple
K. N. Jayaraman Ph. D (1977 - univ. of Washington, Seattle)
Retd Earth Scientist. Vocational Interest: Colonial history, heritage
structures, etc. (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
