Annamanada Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur – History

Annamanada Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur – History

The temple was believed to constructed in 8^th Century CE. The temple was considered as one of the thirty two Grama Kshetras in the Kerala coast. Initially, the temple was administered by 10 to 12 Namboothiri Illams. The administration was taken over by Zamorin of Kozhikode in the mid of 18^th Century CE. Cochin rulers usurped the control from Zamorins. Later, the control went to Travancore Rulers. Then, Cochin ruler approached the British East India Company to mediate in their dispute with Travancore regarding control of the temple.

The British East India Company in 1814-15 CE ruled that Cochin had sovereign rights over the Adoor Grama and the Annamanada Temple, but certain rights of the temple were conceded to Travancore state. Later, considering the difficulty of exercising those special rights in a foreign territory, Travancore conceded those rights as well to the Cochin ruler in 1902. Now the temple is being administered by the Cochin Devaswom Board.

The temple has also contributed to the promotion of Koothu and Koodiyattom. Out of the 18 traditional Chakyar families of Kerala, the Mekkatt family had its original habitat near Annamanada. Later, this family along with two other families - Valia Parisha of Ambalapuzha and Cheria Parisha of Kidangoor merged with the Kazhakuttom Chakyars. Cheria Parisha Parameswara Chakyar is credited with the formulation of Mantrankom Koothu of Bhasa in current format in the Annamanada temple in the latter half of nineteenth century.

The Mantrankom Koothu and Koodiyattom used to last for 41 days during the Mandala Kaala starting from Vrischikam first (Nov - Dec). In the absence of a Koothambalam, the Valiyambalam was the venue for staging plays and Annamanada temple is one of the two temples in Kerala where such marathon performance of Koothu used to be held in the Valiyambalam in front of the main Sannidhi. Tantries or chief priests are from Kuttalakkatt and Avanaparambu Namboothiri Illams.