Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple, located in Manjapra village of Ernakulam district, Kerala, is a revered temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Kirathamoorthy (Vettakkaran - the hunter form of Shiva).
A unique feature of this temple is that the deity grants darshan to the western side, which is a rarity among Shiva temples.
According to legend, the temple was originally consecrated with the presence of Goddess Sri Devi (Parvati). However, when Kartavirya Arjuna visited the temple for darshan, he found that Sri Devi’s divine presence was absent.
As a result, he installed the idol of Lord Shiva in the temple and spent a significant period meditating in a cave he constructed on the northern side of the temple.
An Ashtamangalaprasna conducted by renowned astrologer Daivanjan Kaimukku Parameswaran Nambudiripad revealed the existence of a vast underground tunnel connecting the temple’s well and pond. The tunnel is believed to extend nearly 30 km eastward, leading to an ancient temple surrounded by a pond, lush trees, and medicinal plants of great significance.
The temple celebrates all Pradosham days with great devotion. Important festivals include Thiruvathira in Dhanu, Maha Shivaratri, Vidyarambham, Mandala pooja days, and the grand annual festival culminating in the Thiruvathira Nakshatram in the month of Makaram, marked by the Aarattu ceremony after eight days of celebrations. The festival days at Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple are considered highly auspicious, as they are believed to be times when Lord Shiva is most joyful and benevolent.
Devotees offer kanikka (monetary offerings) at His lotus feet, seeking blessings for Abhishtasidhi (fulfillment of desires) and Aiswaryasidhi (prosperity).
The temple's Prathishta (installation) day falls on Uthram Nakshatram in the Malayalam month of Medam, which is observed with great devotion. Other significant occasions include Niraputhari (first harvest offering) and Ramayana Masacharanam (recitation of the Ramayana during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam).
The temple’s Utsavam (annual festival) is a grand celebration lasting eight days, marked by religious and cultural festivities. A unique aspect of this festival is the active participation of people from all communities, including Hindus, Christians, and Muslims, who collectively regard it as a local festival of unity.
The festival follows strict tantric traditions while also incorporating cultural programs that align with temple customs.
A major highlight occurs on the 7th day when the deity’s idol is taken out in a grand procession through Manjapra town, accompanied by seven caparisoned elephants and a renowned Panchavadyam and Chendamelam ensemble. The procession ultimately returns to the temple, where the idol is ceremoniously reinstated. On the 6th day of the Utsavabali festival at Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple, a special ritual is performed with traditional temple music, including Vadyamelam, Marappani, and Nadaswaram.
Sreebhootabali is an important part of the event, as it is a ritual offering to the Bhoothaganas, the divine attendants of Lord Shiva. Along with this, Annadanam (food offering) is provided to the assembled devotees. Devotees also offer Kanikka (monetary offerings) to support the festival and its celebrations.
Karppillikkavu Pooram is an important event associated with the temple’s annual festival, which lasts for eight days in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January–February).
The temple, one of the 108 Shiva temples in India, is located in Manjapra village, and the presiding deity is Lord Shiva. It is believed that during these festival days, Lord Shiva is in a joyful state and grants the wishes of His devotees. The festival follows traditional tantric rituals and includes various cultural programs and art performances.
On the 7th day, the idol is taken out in a grand procession through Manjapra town, accompanied by seven decorated elephants and traditional temple music, including Panchavadyam and Chendamelam. The procession concludes with the idol being ceremoniously returned to the temple.
കാർപ്പിള്ളികാവ് ശിവ ക്ഷേത്രം
മധ്യകേരളത്തിലെ എറണാകുളം ജില്ലയിൽ ആലുവ താലൂക്കിൽ അങ്കമാലിക്ക് സമീപമുള്ള മഞ്ഞപ്ര ഗ്രാമത്തിലാണ് കാർപ്പിള്ളിക്കാവ് ശ്രീ മഹാദേവ ക്ഷേത്രം സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്നത്. കേരളത്തിലെ അപൂർവമായ പടിഞ്ഞാറോട്ട് ദർശനമുള്ള ശിവക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്നാണിത്. പുരാണ കഥാപ്രസിദ്ധനായ കാർത്തവീര്യാർജുനനാൽ പ്രതിഷ്ഠ ചെയ്തതായാണ് ഇവിടത്തെ ശിവലിംഗത്തെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള വിശ്വാസം.
ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ പ്രധാന പ്രതിഷ്ഠയായ ശ്രീ മഹാദേവനോടൊപ്പം പാർവതി, ഗണപതി, അയ്യപ്പൻ, വിഷ്ണു (സാളഗ്രാമം), കാർത്തവീര്യാർജുനൻ, നാഗദേവതകൾ എന്നിവരുടെ ഉപപ്രതിഷ്ഠകളുമുണ്ട്. മകരമാസത്തിൽ എട്ടു ദിവസം നീണ്ടുനിൽക്കുന്ന കാർപ്പിള്ളിക്കാവ് പൂരം ജനുവരി അവസാനം മുതൽ ഫെബ്രുവരി ആദ്യവാരത്തിലേക്ക് നീളുന്നു. ഈ മഹോത്സവകാലത്ത് ശിവൻ പ്രസാദവാനായിരിക്കും എന്നും ഭക്തജനങ്ങളുടെ ആഗ്രഹങ്ങൾ സഫലമാവും എന്നും വിശ്വാസമുണ്ട്.
ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ ശിവപ്രതിഷ്ഠയ്ക്ക് നന്ദിയില്ല എന്ന വിശേഷണമുണ്ട്, അതായത്, ശിവൻ സതീസാന്നിധ്യമില്ലാത്തനിലയിലാണ് പ്രതിഷ്ഠിതനായിരിക്കുന്നത്. വൈക്കം മഹാദേവനെ പോലെ അന്നദാനപ്രഭുവായ ശിവനാണ് ഇവിടെയും ആരാധിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത് എന്നുള്ളതും ഇവിടെ പ്രചരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന വിശ്വാസങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്നാണ്.
Address:
Kalady Manjapra Rd,
Chandrapura,
Manjapra, Kerala 683581
