Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple

Mahadeva Temple or famously known as Thiruvanchikulam Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kodungallur in Thrissur district of Kerala in India.

Lord Shiva of the Mahadeva temple. This is the 266th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Malai nadu. is the family god of Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadappu Swaroopam after they got power, following the decline of Chera Empire). The temple has very good mural paintings and is a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple has the oldest reference in history in old Tamil Sangam literature, references to Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, and Ilango Adigal, the Chera prince who was the brother of Cheran Chenkuttavan can also be seen in the temple premises..

The temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India where Lord Shiva is said to live along with his whole family. This temple has got a healthy relation with Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu. Capital city of Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram was built around the temple and was protected by high fortress on all sides and had extensive pathways and palaces. This temple was attacked and damaged during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala, the copper roofing and gold and jewels were looted . Tipu's Muslim soldiers fled the temple complex only after the arrival of Travancore Army of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. This temple was rebuilt by Paliath Achan of Kochi/Perumpadappu Swaroopam.


(Text courtesy: www.wikipedia.com)