Ashtamangalam Shiva Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Ashtamangalam Shiva Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Ashtamangalam Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Ashtamangalam, a well-known locality in Thrissur City in Thrissur District in Kerala, India. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva Temples created by Lord Parasurama. It is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala. The Temple is under the administration of Cochin Devaswom Board.

Legends

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Parasurama created the land between Gokarna and Kanyakumari. Parasurama the sixth avatar of Maha Vishnu, he was youngest son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka. It is said that Kerala was reclaimed from the ocean using his axe for donating to Brahmins after killing of King Kartavirya Arjuna and other Kshatriyas. He split this land in to 64 villages (64 gramas). Out of these 64 villages, 32 villages are in between Perumpuzha and Gokarnam and the spoken language was Tulu.

The remaining 32 villages were in Malayalam speaking area between Perumpuzha and Kanyakumari. According legends, after donating the land to Brahmins108 Maha Shiva Lingam and Durga Idols were installed in these 64 villages. These 108 Shiva Temples are mentioned in the Shivala Stotram and song is written in Malayalam language. Of the 108 Siva Temples, 105 temples are situated in Kerala state, 2 temples in Karnataka and 1 in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

Among these temples, the Lord Shiva of Gokarnam Mahabaleswara Temple in the north and Goddess Kumari of Kanyakumari temple in the south were considered as the protectors of Kerala. The first temple created by Parasurama was the Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple and the last one was the Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva Temple. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva Temples created by Lord Parasurama.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. Presiding Deity, Lord Shiva is housed in an east facing sanctum. The Sanctum is in circular shape. There is pond situated in front of the temple. Lord Shiva is in Rowdra Bhava. Hence, he is facing the pond.

Festivals

Shivarathri in the Malayalam month of Kumbha (February - March) is the famous festival celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Elthuruth Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, 6 Kms from Thrissur Bus Stand and 53 Kms from Cochin Airport. The Temple is situated on Chettupuzha to Aranattukara Road.

Location