Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar Temple – History

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar Temple – History

This is the only Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Kerala. Shiva is the family god of the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam after they came to power following the decline of Chera Empire). The temple has very good mural paintings and is a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple has the oldest reference in history in Thevaram Hymns sung by Sundara Murthi Nayanar (also known as Sundarar in Tamil), one of the four Saiva Acharyas. The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is believed to be built by Cheraman Perumal, a legendary Chera king.

It is also believed that Cheraman Perumal and his minister and friend Sundaramoorthy Nayanar left their life in the temple. The temple is located in a place namely ‘Cheraman Parambu, and is believed to be the ancient palace spot of the Cheras. The capital city of the Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram, was built around the temple; it was protected by high fortifications on all sides and had extensive pathways and palaces.

Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple had undergone several invasions in the flow of time. The Dutch and The Tipu Sultan of Mysore are the prominent ones, who demolished this temple during their invasions. This temple was attacked and damaged severely during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala; the copper roofing and gold and jewels were looted. Tipu's Muslim soldiers fled the temple complex only after the arrival of the Travancore Army of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. The temple was rebuilt by Paliath Achan of Kochi / Perumpadappu Swaroopam.

In the late medieval Thiruvanchikulam was under the ruler of Cochin but occasionally, the Zamorin of Calicut had usurped the control. The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple was renovated in 1801 AD. The temple is associated with Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that the main idol of worship, Siva Linga is brought from Chidambaram Temple. It was one of the most popular Shiva temple in South India.