Annamanada Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur – Legends

Annamanada Mahadeva Temple, Thrissur – Legends

108 Shiva Temples of Kerala:

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.

It is mentioned as Koratty Temple in the Shivalaya Nama Stotra. Originally Annamanada was a part of Adoor Gramam (one among the 64 Brahmin Gramams created by Parasurama and Annamanada Mahadeva Temple was the Grama kshetra. Some of the neighbouring villages still known as Meladoor, Keezhadoor etc. Meladoor Bhagavathy Temple is one among the 108 Durga Temples created by Parasurama.

Annamanada:

The name Annamanada came from some Brahmin families (Manas) where Brahmins used to get free food (Annam) in older days. The village where Food (Annam) serving Brahmin families (Manas) situated, later known as Annamanada.

Valiya Balikallu:

The main peculiarity of this temple is the sinking Valiya Balikallu. The sinking of the Valiya Balikallu is attributed to the traditional explanation that, it was ordained by the Lord Shiva for affording clear darshan to the untouchable Pakkanar or to Perumthachan of the legendary Parayi Petta Panthirukulam from outside the naalambalam.