Sree Mahadeva Temple
Avittathur Mahadeva Temple is more than 2000 years old. The temple is situated at Avittathur village of Thrissur District. Avittathur gramam (village) is one of the 64 original Brahmin settlement in the ancient Kerala. According to local history, sage Agastya has installed the idol of Lord Shiva. The temple is a part of the famous 108 Shiva temples of Kerala.
The temple is a Mahakshetram. The earlier name of the place was Agastya-Trippadha-ur, which means the place sanctified by the holy feet of Sage Agastya. By constant usage over centuries the name was corrupted as Agastyaputtoor and later as Avittathur. After the implementation of the Land Reforms Act of 1963, the temple properties were lost but the ooralars managed the temple efficiently with the result the temple continued to be a private temple.
The temple is rich in woodcarvings depicting Kiratha story on walls of the Sreekovil. The story of Palaazhi-madhanam is depicted on the ceiling of namaskaara mandapam, which has also carvings of Nava-Grahas.
Location
Avittathur
Main Deity
Lord Siva
Other Deities
Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappa, Sage Agasthya & Sree Muneeswaran in linga form
Festivals
The 28-day annual festival is held in the Malayalam month of Dhanu and concluding in the Malayalam month of Makaram.
Main Offerings
Jaladhara, Mruthumjaya Homam, Vedi Vazhippadu, Pushpanjali, Vella-Nivedyam, Thrumadhuram, Pal Payasam, Ney-Payasam, Sharkara Payasam, Rudra Dhara, Jaladhara and Thrumadhuram.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is situated 33.2 KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Irinjalakkuda Railway Station is situated 6.4 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Irinjalakkuda KSRTC Bus Stand is situated 7.1 KM from the Temple.