Kanthaloor Mahadeva Temple
Valiyasala Mahadeva Temple is one of the ancient Trimurti temples in Thiruvananthapuram. Kanthaloor Sala, a famous university, was located at Valiyashala centuries back. Kanthalloor Sala, known as ‘Nalanda of South India’, an ancient storehouse of knowledge, was originally located here. The temple is located inside 4.5-acre compound. It is more than 1000 years old and there is historical evidence which proves that the temple was built before 1045 CE. Most scholars agree that the temple was built during the 7th century CE. This is the second biggest temple in Trivandrum after the Padmanabhaswamy temple. Brahma and Shiva have Vatta Sreekovil or circular sanctum sanctorum. No pujas are offered to Brahma. The shrine of Brahma is without a kodimaram or flag post Brahma's shrine is the smallest but sits in the center. On either side are the shrines of Vishnu and Shiva. The two storied Vishnu shrine is noted for its intricate carvings in granite. Devasura Yudham, Palazhi Madhanam (Churning of ocean) and other important incidents from Puranas can be seen here. Various forms of Krishna and Sage Narada playing Thamburu are magnificent sculptures. Goddess Narayani in lasya bhava and Goddess Devi in Lalithambika bhava are also part of the sculptures.
There is a unique sculpture atop the sopana mandapam of Vishnu temple. It is a Shanku Varayan Snake sculpted out of single rock and it is tied using iron chain. The belief is that the place was earlier full of snakes, and it was impossible to even walk during daytime. A powerful Siddha captured the power of the snakes and transformed it into the sculpture. The belief is that the day the chain breaks, the area will once again become filled with poisonous snakes. The greatness of this sculpture is that it is carved out of a single stone - the snake and the chain.
There are 56 Balivattam, or Bali Kallukal (small round carved stones around the sanctum sanctorum in Kerala temples) in the shrine.
The Chera, Chola and Pandya Kings fought against each other and died in the Kanthaloor region. Their Queens performed sati at their funeral pyres. Emerging from the ire on the pyre was a blazing ember that transformed into a Shivling. In order to pacify the ferocious form Shiva, which appeared from the flames, murtis of Brahma and Vishnu were consecrated nearby.
Later on, In the tussle between Sri Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma and the Thampi siblings for the Throne of Venad, Ettuveetil Pillamar sided with Sri Padmanabhan Thampi and Raman Thampi. For destroying Marthanda Varma, Kudamon Pillai, one of the Pillamar, is said to have infused Smashana Siva (Siva who sits in the cremation ground) potency into the idol now known as Brahma. So Marthanda Varma reconsecrated Sri Venkita Perumal with a kadusarkara idol and conducted many rituals to compensate the negative charges of Smashana Siva.
It is a historical fact that even the successors of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma never visited Valiyasala Temple for centuries. In 2000, Maharaja Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma and his sister Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi visited the Temple.
Location
Valiyashala
Main Deity
Lord Siva
Other Deities
Sri Krishna, Bhoothathan, Murugan, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesh
Festivals
The month of Kumbha - February-March is the festival period that lasts for 10 days.
Main Offerings
Mrithyunjaya Homam, Mrithyunjayarchana, Abhishekam, Dhara, Pushpabhishekam, Neerajanam, Ashtothararchana, Sahasranamarchana, Ganapathy Homam,
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 6.6KM from the temple.
By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is 1.3KM from the Temple.
By Road: Trivandrum KSRTC Bus Station is 1.2KM from the Temple.