Triprangode Shiva Temple, Malappuram – The Temple

Triprangode Shiva Temple, Malappuram – The Temple

The Temple spreads over a vast area of around 6 acres, with many sub-shrines, trees and ponds. This is a west facing Temple. There is a huge banyan tree in front of the temple. Presiding Deity is called as Triprangottappan and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is Swayambhu Moorthy. The Sanctum follows Gajabrusta style architecture i.e. sanctum looks like the shape of back of elephant. It is of two storeys.

There is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Parvati towards the left side of Lord Shiva. Her shrine is facing south in the Maha Mandapam. There is a Namaskara Mandapam in front of the Sree Kovil, used by the Brahmins for reciting Vedas, Shiva Sahasranama, etc. Nandi can be found in this Mandapam. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the south-western door, facing east. There are four more shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the temple complex.

One is considered the Moolasthanam, means the original seat of the Lord. It is called Karanayil Temple. The other three shrines represent the three steps taken by the Lord to kill Yama. All these shrines are situated outside the main door of the sanctum, on the northern side. The original seat, Karanayil temple, is a two-storied square shrine. The shrine at which the Lord took his first step is round in shape, and the other two are square.

A shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu can be seen nearby. The shrine of Lord Vishnu has an idol in his usual four-armed form, with Shankha, Sudarsana Chakra, Gada and Lotus on his arms. There are shrines to Lord Vettakkorumakan and Goddess Bhadrakali behind Karanayil temple. All are facing west. There is a shrine of Lord Ayyappa, facing west in the southern side.

There is an idol of Kala Samhara Murthy can be seen near to this Ayyappa Shrine. This idol was slightly damaged during Tipu Sultan's attacks. There are shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna, Nagas and Brahmarakshas in the south-western side, all facing east. Lord Krishna is installed as Gosalakrishna, meaning the cowherd. Thus, his shrine is depicted as a cow shed here.

Elanji tree and Bilva tree, considered sacred to Lord Shiva are found in the temple complex. There are five ponds around the temple, among which three are in the temple complex itself. There is a pond in front of Karanayil Temple, which clearly shows that it is the original seat. There are two more ponds very close to it, one named Santhikkulam, literally the place where the priests take bath before entering the temple, and the other named Vellottukulam, as it is near to Vellottu fields.

The pond at the south-western corner of the temple is considered to be the place where the Lord washed his trident after killing Yama. There is a huge pond outside the temple complex in the north-eastern side. It is mainly used for public uses, Devotees also take a bath here before entering the temple.