Sreekanteswaram Temple
Sreekanteswaram Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. This temple is more than 700 years old. It is dedicated to Shiva. An older temple of Lord Shiva and Vishnu has a name similar to this one at Puthanchantha, Thiruvananthapuram. That temple is known as Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple.
The legend is that an old woman sweeper of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple distinguished the Swyambhoo (self-manifested) Shiva Linga idol while she was resting at this place. She got 'Darshan' (vision) of Lord Shiva at the spot at the temple site.
Goddess Parvati Devi's (Lord Shiva's wife) also has a presence in this temple even though there is no dedicated shrine for her. The deity is called Gowri Shankara in this belief.
Many devotees attend the Nirmalya Darshan (which is witnessing the deity with the decoration of previous night when the temple reopens at 4 AM) and Mrithyunjaya Homam, which are believed to be benevolent for the devotees. The temple comes under the control of Travancore Devaswom Board.
Location
Pazhavangadi
Main Deity
Lord Siva
Other Deities
Maha Ganapathy, Lord Murugan, Anjaneya Swamy, Sree Krishna, Swamy Ayyappan, Nagaraja
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri The Aarattu will be on Thiruvathira Star Day which is considered as the birthday of Lord Shiva. The annual festival lasts for ten days and will be celebrated in the Malayalam month Dhanu (Dec-Jan).
Main Offerings
Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Mrithyunjayarchana, Abhishekam, Dhara, Pushpabhishekam, Neerajanam, Ashtothararchana, Sahasranamarchana, Nateshalankaram, Venna Charthu for AnjaneyaSwamy
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 4.6KM from the temple.
By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is 2.2KM from the Temple.
By Road: Trivandrum KSRTC Bus Station is 2.4KM from the Temple.