This temple is situated in the centre
of the town close to the Cochin Cultural Centre, very near the Durbar Hall
Ground. The presiding deity is Lord Siva and the annual festival in the temple
is conducted for 8 days during the month of January.
Ernakulam Shiva Temple, also known as Ernakulathappan Temple The temple, dedicated
to Lord Shiva, is considered as the city temple, with the presiding deity as
the protector of the city, as per local Hindu faiths and traditions. As per the
common practice in Kerala, the deity is reverently called Eranakulathappan,
which means Lord of Eranakulam.
The temple history itself has deep association with history of the city and was
one of the 7 royal temples of Kochi Maharajas. The temple is now under
administration of Cochin Devasom Board. The temple in its current form was
built under active patronage of Diwan Sri Edakkunni Sankara Warrier in year
1846 and raised it level of a Royal temple in the Kochi Kingdom.
The temple is built on 1-acre (4,000 m2) land.
Cheranalloor
Kartha Family of South Chittor was the founder of Ernakulam Siva Temple.Asper
the devaprasna this temple have a connection with Vaishnava.Jadavedan
nampoothiri was the swamiyar of Ernakulam Siva Temple and Thiruvananthapuram
Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.He was a member of Cheranalloor Kartha Family of
South Chittoor
The
temple's legend is deeply associated with Hindu epic Mahabharata. Arjuna, the
3rd Pandava made a severe penance to propitiate Lord Shiva. Pleased with
Arjuna’s devotion Shiva accompanied with his consort Sri Parvathi set out from
their abode at Mount
Kailash to meet Arjuna.
Shiva
intends to impress Parvathi with the devotion Arjuna has towards him. Shiva
disguises himself as "Kiratha" a tribal hunter before appearing
before Arjuna.Just as Shiva appears before Arjuna he sees a wild boar charging
towards Arjuna and shoots an arrow at the boar. Arjuna, who is an accomplished
archer, also shoots an arrow at the boar. The boar who was in fact a demon
named Mookasura in disguise is killed and its original form is revealed.
However, dispute arises between Arjuna and Kiratha as to who is the real killer
of the animal. A battle ensues between the two, lasting a long time, ultimately
resulting in Kiratha’s victory over Arjuna.
The
vanquished Arjuna, unable to even stand up makes a Shiva Linga out of mud and
performs a pooja offering flowers. To his surprise, he sees that the flower he
offers over the Shiva Linga is falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then
realises that Kiratha is none other than his Lord Shiva. Pleased with his
devotion and sincerity, Lord Shiva granted Pashupatha Arrow to Arjuna. Arjuna
left this place and soon this area was covered with dense forest, uninhabited
for long time. The existence of the Shiva linga made by Arjuna also disappeared
from memories of all.....
Centuries later, a boy named Devala who
has been cursed by a sage, now has a body of a snake, crawled into this forest
and saw this lingam completely submerged into mud . He worshiped this lingam as
part a deep penance in hope for redeeming from the curse. Soon a few people
spotted this mysterious man with body of snake and called him as Rishi Nagam
(Saint Serpent) and feared even to come near to him. Some even tried to thwart
him with sticks etc. Unmoved by all these action, Rishi Nagam continued his severe
penance. Finally Lord Shiva and Parvathi appeared in their original form and
asked the sage to take a deep in nearby pond. As soon as he immersed, he was
redeemed from the curse. Soon a new idol appeared just near to the original
lingam. Based on this legend, the place got its new name, Rishnagakulam (The
pond of Rishi Nagam) and temple was constructed by the public
History
The
existence of temple was first mentioned in Sangam Literature as one of the
major temples under Chera Dynasty. Cheras were adherent worshipers of Lord
Shiva. When Chera dynasty ended, the place fell into the hands a few Nair
nobles who renamed the place as Ernakulam (corrupt form of original word- Eere
Naal Kulam meaning Pond with water always) in recognition of the famous sacred
pond of this temple. Soon this area came under reign of Kochi Kingdom.
The Kochi Rulers, due to siege of Fort
Kochi by Dutch in 17th
century, moved their capital to Ernakulam and established a Palace close to
this temple, facing the temple pond (The Tank Shed Palace seen behind current
Durbar Hall). This helped the temple to gain prominence, due to royal
patronage. The temple deity was declared as protector of Ernakulam city (Nagara
Devata), which was one of the major reasons of contention between Edappally
Nair Lords who were the traditional feudal lord of the town and the Kochi
Maharajas.
The second
phase of the temple came in 1842 when Diwan of Kochi, Sri Edakkunni Sankara
Warrier felt to renovate the temple which was in dilapidated condition. Works
were started in 1843. Two new Gopura Mandapams (Entrance
Towers) were constructed in
traditional Kerala style similar to Sree Poornathrayesa Temple of Tripunithura
which was the Chief Royal temple
of Kochi Maharajas. The
new temple complex was opened to public in 1846. The temple was elevated to a
royal temple and brought under direct administration of Kochi Government's
Devaswom Board. In 1949, when Kochi
acceded into India Union, the Devaswom Board came under new Government's
control, which still remains.
As part of
increasing local participation in temple management, the Ernakulam Kshetra
Upadesha Samithi (Temple Advisory committee) consisting leading Hindu members
of Ernakulam city to assist the devaswom board in day to day management of the
temple.
Deities
The
presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in Gourisankara form, located in
main sanctum sanctorum, facing west towards the Arabian sea. The Lingam in the
main sanctum sanctorum is considered to be Swayambhoo (Divinely derived). On
the northern side of the main sanctum sanctorum, one can see the small shrine
of Kirthamoorthy where the original Lingam worshipped by Arjuna is still
worshiped. On the southern side, a small shrine for Lord Ganesha is seen. There
is a small area behind the main sanctum sanctorum, considered as abode of
Goddess Parvati, hence the east gate is known as Devi Gate. Outside the Inner
temple circle, shrines for Lord Ayyappa and Nagaraja are worshiped.
Structure
The entire temple is located in 1.2-acre (4,900 m2)
land. The temple is built in typical Kerala temple architecture. The Sanctum
complex is circular with fine sculpted walls. The roof is covered with copper
tiles. The temple has two gates; the western Gopuram is a two storied structure
in typical Kerala architecture with gabled roofs and slanting windows. The
eastern gopuram is recently renovated similar to the western side. The Devaswom
office is located near the western Gopuram. Recently a new marriage hall and
Oottupura (dining hall) is constructed at the northern side.
Festivals
The
Uthsavom (temple festival) of Shiva temple is one of the grandest festivals in
the Kochi city, normally celebrated during December–January time. The festivities
start with Kodiyettam (hoisting of the temple flag) on the first day evening.
On the seventh day there is Pakalpooram, when the deity is being taken out in
procession with caparisoned elephants with Panchavadyam and finally terminating
at Durbar Hall Ground after the famous Pandimelam and colourful fire works. On
the final day around evening, in a solemn ceremony the flag is lowered and the
deity is then taken for the Arattu (holy bath) in the nearby temple tank. After
that starts the famous Arattu procession with the accompaniment of Panchavadyam.
The procession terminates at Durbar Hall Ground. The grand fireworks then bring
the curtain down to this week long festival. During all these days Sheeveli is
arranged inside the temple and the best available Chendamelam artists are
arranged for this. Special poojas connected with the festival are conducted
everyday by famous priests from Chennose and Puliyannur Mana. A variety of
cultural programmes are also arranged during these days. Special emphasis is
given to promote temple arts like Ottamthullal, Paatakam, Thayambaka, Kathakali,
Classical dances, Classical music concerts, Bhajans etc. Annadanam is also
arranged. Thousands of people throng the temple to witness these programmes.
Watching the Pakalpooram and Arattu processions will be an unforgettable
experience for anybody. The adjacent Durbar Hall ground becomes a beehive of
activities during the Uthsavom.
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