The Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple is one of the most important temples in Kerala. It is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture and is believed to have been constructed during the Chera period. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Mahadeva, and Goddess Parvati, who is worshipped as Umadevi. Along with the main deities, the temple has 33 sub-deities, which is the highest number of sub-deities in any temple in Kerala.
This temple is also special because it is the only Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Kerala, meaning it is one of the temples mentioned in the ancient Tamil hymns (Thevaram) dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple holds great significance for the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam), as Lord Shiva became their family deity after they came to power following the fall of the Chera Empire.
Over the years, the temple faced attacks from various empires but was also renovated by different rulers. For centuries, it has been a major center for Shiva devotees. People visit the temple to perform pujas and rituals in front of Mahadeva, seeking blessings and a better life.
Aluva Mahadeva Temple Booking 2025: Tickets, Darshan and Sevas
Main Aspects of the Temple
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Thiruvanchikulam, Kerala, India |
| Main Deity | Lord Shiva (Mahadeva) |
| Consort Deity | Goddess Parvati (Umadevi) |
| Architecture Style | Traditional Kerala Style |
| Historical Period | Built during the Chera Dynasty |
| Unique Feature | Only Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Kerala |
| Sub-Deities | 33 sub-deities (highest in Kerala) |
| Significance | Family deity of the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam) |
| Temple Timings | Morning: 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Major Poojas | Usha Pooja, Ucha Pooja, Deeparadhana, Athaza Pooja |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri, Thiruvathira, Karkidaka Vavu (Pitru Tarpanam) |
| Special Rituals | Shanka Abhishekam, Siveli (deity procession), Palliyara Pooja |
| Importance | A historic and spiritual center for Shiva devotees in Kerala |
What are the poojas available in the temple
| Time | Pooja Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| 5:00 AM | Nadathurappu | Temple doors open |
| 6:30 AM | Usha Pooja | Morning worship |
| 7:00 AM | Siveli | Procession of the deity |
| 7:30 AM | Dara | Ritual offering |
| 8:00 AM | Panthirady | Mid-morning worship |
| 9:30 AM | Shanka Abhishekam | Conch shell ritual |
| 10:30 AM | Ucha Pooja | Noon worship |
| 10:45 AM | Siveli | Procession of the deity |
| 11:00 AM | Nada Adaikkal | Temple doors close |
| Evening | ||
| 5:00 PM | Nadathurappu | Temple doors reopen |
| 6:30 PM | Deeparadhana | Evening lamp worship |
| 6:45 PM | Athaza Pooja | Night worship |
| 7:00 PM | Siveli | Procession of the deity |
| 7:30 PM | Palliyara Pooja | Worship in the sanctum |
| 8:00 PM | Nada Adaikkal | Temple doors close |
What are the offeringa and their prices
| No. | Offering Name | Amount (INR) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pushpanjali | 12 | Flower offering |
| 2 | Bhagya Suktham | 36 | Chanting for prosperity |
| 3 | Purusha Suktham | 36 | Chanting for universal energy |
| 4 | Mrithyunjaya Pushpanjali | 36 | Flower offering for longevity |
| 5 | Aikyamathya Pushpanjali | 36 | Flower offering for unity |
| 6 | Rogashanti Pushpanjali | 36 | Flower offering for healing |
| 7 | Vilwa Dala Archana | 36 | Offering with Vilwa leaves |
| 8 | Vidhya Manthra Pushpanjali | 36 | Flower offering for knowledge |
| 9 | Swayamvara Pushpanjali | 50 | Flower offering for marriage |
| 10 | Sahasranama Pushpanjali | 50 | Flower offering with 1000 names of Shiva |
| 11 | 1 Kudam Jala Abhishekam | 25 | Abhishekam with 1 pot of water |
| 12 | 5 Kudam Jala Abhishekam | 125 | Abhishekam with 5 pots of water |
| 13 | Ganapathy Homam (Small) | 90 | Homam for Lord Ganesha |
| 14 | Mrithyunjaya Homam | 60 | Homam for longevity |
| 15 | Karuka Homam | 85 | Homam with Karuka grass |
| 16 | Navagraha Pooja | 180 | Worship of the nine planets |
| 17 | Vavu Pooja | 150 | Ritual for ancestors |
| 18 | Padmaittu Pooja | 120 | Lotus flower offering |
| 19 | Rahu Pooja | 85 | Worship of Rahu |
| 20 | Saneeswara Pooja | 120 | Worship of Lord Shani |
| 21 | Bhagavath Seva | 120 | Service to the deity |
| 22 | Vell Nivedhyam | 30 | Offering of rice |
| 23 | Kuttu Payasam | 75 | Offering of mixed payasam |
| 24 | Pal Payasam | 100 | Offering of milk payasam |
| 25 | Special Ghee Payasam | 180 | Offering of ghee payasam |
| 26 | Pizhinja Payasam | 300 | Offering of squeezed payasam |
| 27 | Appam | 90 | Offering of rice cake |
| 28 | Avil | 50 | Offering of flattened rice |
| 29 | Ada | 120 | Offering of rice ada |
| 30 | Panakam | 180 | Offering of jaggery drink |
| 31 | Nira Mala (A) | 1800 | Garland of Nira (A) |
| 32 | Nira Mala (B) | 900 | Garland of Nira (B) |
| 33 | Chandanam Charthal | 240 | Sandalwood paste application |
| 34 | Thali Pooja | 60 | Worship of the sacred thread |
| 35 | Mala Pooja | 25 | Garland worship |
| 36 | Vehicle Pooja | 360 | Worship of vehicles |
| 37 | Thulabharam Thatthu Panam | 60 | Offering for Thulabharam |
| 38 | Peridal | 180 | Naming ceremony |
| 39 | Choroon | 120 | Rice feeding ceremony |
| 40 | Marriage | 600 | Marriage ritual |
| 41 | Video Fees | 720 | Fee for video recording |
| 42 | Kuvvala Mala/Karuka Mala | 25 | Garland of Kuvvala or Karuka |
| 43 | Vidyarambham | 60 | Initiation of education |
| 44 | Kettunira | 36 | Offering of tied rice |
| 45 | Abhishekam | 50 | Ritual bath of the deity |
| 46 | Adima Kidathal | 240 | Offering for Adima Kidathal |
| 47 | Mala | 15 | Garland offering |
| 48 | Ennai | 9 | Offering of oil |
| 49 | Keda Vilak | 85 | Offering of lamp |
| 50 | Ghee | 16 | Offering of clarified butter |
| 51 | Nei Khindi | 120 | Offering of ghee pot |
| 52 | Thatta | 60 | Offering of plate |
| 53 | Ellu Kizhi | 10 | Offering of sesame |
| 54 | Niranjanam | 60 | Offering of sacred ash |
| 55 | Kumkumam | 10 | Offering of vermilion |
| 56 | Manjal Podi | 12 | Offering of turmeric powder |
| 57 | Velli Avayavam | 40 | Offering of silver body parts |
| 58 | Thottil | 120 | Cradle ceremony |
| 59 | Upadevanmarku Nivedhyam | 990 | Offering to 33 sub-deities |
Special Poojas and Offerings
| No. | Offering Name | Amount (INR) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swayam Parvathy Pooja | 6000 | Self-arranged Parvathy worship |
| 2 | Aikyamathya Pushpanjali | 36 | Flower offering for unity |
| 3 | Palliyara Pooja | 270 | Worship in the sanctum |
| 4 | Dampathy Pooja | 270 | Worship for couples |
| 5 | Swayamvara Pooja | 270 | Worship for marriage |