Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Shri Mahadeva Temple
The Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is a temple for Lord Shiva in Kaduthuruthy, Kerala. The temple, along with Ettumanoor Siva Temple, Vaikom Mahadeva Temple are considered as three very sacred and powerful Siva temples.
As per the legends an Asur called Khara, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, on receiving the Saiva Vidya sermon from Malyavan (great grand father of Ravana), went to Chidambaram and did severe penance for the attainment of moksha. Pleased with his penance Lord Shiva not only granted all the boons he asked for and also and presented him with three great Shiva Lingas. When Khara was returning south from Kailash with the three Lingas carrying them one in his right hand, one in left hand and other over neck, he felt tired and placed the lingas to rest for awhile. When he tried to pick up the lingas, they wouldn’t move. Khara having attained Moksha then entrusted the Lingas to Maharshi Vyaghrapada who was following him and asked the sage to protect and worship them.
It is believed that the Shiva Linga placed by Khara Asura by his right hand is the one at Vaikom, the one that was in his left hand at Ettumannoor and the one by neck at Kaduthuruthy even today. Getting a darshan of all these three Lingas on a same day is considered as good as the Shiva darshan at Kailash.
Location
Kaduthuruthy
Main Deity
Lord Siva
Other Deities
Lord Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa, Yakshi & Vana Durga
Festivals
The annual festival is celebrated for 10 days in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January).
Main Offerings
Dhara & Ganapathy Homam
How To Reach
By Air: Kochi International Airport is situated 64 KM from the temple.
By Rail: Ettumanoor Railway Station is situated 16.1 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Vaikom KSRTC Bus Stand is situated 14.7 KM from the Temple.