Thiruvairanikkulam Mahadeva Temple is the most popular Shiva Parvathy Temple in South India. The temple is situated in Vellarappilly near Kalady of Ernakulam district, in Kerala. Kalady is renowned as the birth place of Adi Shankara, a Hindu philosopher who advocated the treatise of Advaida Vedantha. Shiva and Parvathy are the main deities of this temple, which is believed to have been built by the famous Uliyannoor Perumthachan over 1,600 years ago. A remarkable feature of this temple is that the deities of Shiva and Parvathy in the temple face in the opposite direction, which is unusual. Another unique feature is that the sanctum of Goddess Parvathy more is open only 12 days in a year. The chief deity of temple is Lord Shiva, who sits facing the east while the goddess Parvathy faces the west. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvathy who resides in this temple grant the boon of marriage to their devotees. With its locational speciality, lying in close proximity with the National pilgrim centre Kalady and famous Aluva Manappuram Shiva temple, the temple experiences a major flow of devotees from almost all parts of Kerala. The sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Parvathy remains open 12 days in a year (December - January / Thiruvathira day of Dhanu, month on Malayalam) which makes the temple unique and famous among devotees. But Lord Mahadeva’s sanctum sanctorum remains open throughout the year. The Thiruvairanikkulam Temple Trust is contemplating a new pilgrim centre and Annadanamandapam in view of the large number of devotees who visit the temple every year. Due to the presence of pilgrim centres, the region will see a fillip to its popularity and will act as a catalyst in the coming years. Like Kalady Thiruvairanikkulam Temple is becoming a popular transit point for pilgrims to Sabarimala and is gifted with the river Periyar whose holy water will soothe the dirt and guilt from body and mind of the pilgrims. With proposals for a pilgrim centre and annadanamandapam, proper public amenities and resting facilities are imperatively to be provided to meet the emerging demand. The legendary carpenter “Uliyannoor Perumthachan”, one of the members of “Parayipetta Panthirukulam” who had constructed many temples in Kerala had instructed the architectural decrees for this temple too. The historical documents show that the beautiful wooden sculptures adorning the wooden ceilings of Balikkalpura were created by this chief architect. There are beautiful sculptures depicted on the wooden ceiling of the temple. There are sculptures of Arjuna who worshipped Lord Shiva to get the Pashupathasthra according to the advice of Sage Daumya. There are also sculptures relating to the great epic Ramayana. The stories behind the sculptures begin with Puthrakameshti Yagam (Yagam performed to beget a son) and end with Pattabhishekam (coronation ceremony). Erudite opine that the legend is significant in the Mythology of this temple. Akavoor Mana was a renowned Namboothiri home in Kerala. The origin of Thiruvairanikkulam temple is closely related to the legend and history of Akavoor Mana. In Eithihyamala penned by Kottarathil Shankunny there is a mention about Akavoor Chathan, a member of the twelve sons of Vararuchi the great scholar, born of a Paraya woman. Later on, he attained recognition as Akavoor Chathan. The base of Akavoor Mana was in Iranikkulam village of Thrissur district. Karanavar (eledest memebr of family) of this mana held the position of Thambrakkal of the village. Once due to a misunderstanding with the king of Iranikkulam the members of this mana had to move away from their home. Thus, they went to reside in the village of Vellarappilly near Kalady on the banks of river Periyar. The important deities of Iranikkulam temple are Shiva and Parvathy. The Akavoor Namboothirippad belongs to the Iranikkulam village, being a great devotee, visited the temple regularly. He had a rigid rule, that he would break his fast only after his darshan.  But when he moved away from the place Namboothiripad found it hard to visit the temple. He felt dejected and prayed fervently. “Oh, my Lord every day I used to bow before you. Now what will happen? I can’t bear this grief. Please have mercy on me and relieve me of this pain. “His heart grieved at the thought of staying away from his beloved God. One day, a Namoothirippad who had gone to bathe in the river found an orphaned child near water. He immediately ordered that the child be brought home. ‘Give him bath and food to eat. We will take care of this orphaned child,’ Namboothrippad said. He then sought the blessings of the Karanavar. The child was named Chathan. Actually, the child belonged to the blessed clan of Parayipetta Panthirukulam. For the same reason the child was endowed with extra ordinary skills. Chathan noticed that Namboothirippad was often lost in thoughts. He wanted to know what was bothering his master. He asked him about it. Namboothirippad told him everything. ‘Please don’t worry. While I am here you won’t have any trouble in worshipping the god of Iranikkulam temple.’  ‘Chathan, what are you saying? Iranikkulam is far away. How will I go there for worshipping?’ Namboothiripad asked. ‘I will find a solution for this’, said Chathan. A mode of transport was essential since Namboothirippad’s health dwindled with age. Chathan built a magic boat for him. It was made of stone and no one else could handle it. ‘You can get into this. A journey to Iranikkulam won’t be difficult for you,’ Chathan siad. Thus, Akavoor karanavar regained his blessings to worship the deity of Iranikkulam. The Brahmin was immensely happy. In his heart of hearts, he thanked the deity as well as Chathan. Time passed. The old aged spiritual leader now found even the boat journey hard. Once again pangs of separation from his God began to haunt him. One day he confessed his sorrow to the deity of Iranikkulam. “Mahadev, I have become too old. It is difficult for me to travel this far and worship you. Please find a solution for my sufferings.” After saying his prayers Namboothiripad took his palm frond umbrella. “Chathan my umbrella seems heavier”. He said. “Never mind. Just trust that everything is for good” Chathan consoled him. Namboothiripad entered the boat carrying his umbrella. Chathan rowed the boat. Just before the boat reached the ferry near Akavoor mana, Namboothiripad said “Chathan, take the boat to the shore. Let me pee and then we will resume our journey. Chathan did as he was told. Namboothiripad got out and kept his umbrella down. After fulfilling his need when he lifted his umbrella. “Hey, Chathan, “What is it? Chathan asked. “Amazing! The weight of this umbrella has reduced.” Chathan smiled. “Consider everything as God’s will, my lord.” Chathan said. The boat reached Akvoor mana. This time Chathan did not tie the boat to the shore as was his practice. Instead he took it a little forward and kept it upside down. “Why did you do that?” Namboothiripad asked. “This boat is not needed anymore”. He replied. “You don’t have to go to Iranikkulam anymore. Mahadev has come with you.” Chathan said. Namboothiripad was amazed and pleased to hear this. He was sure that his aid Chathan, the honest one won’t betray him. In those days the place where the temple stands now was covered with wild trees and climbers. Once, a woman went there to cut grass. To sharpen her sickle, she rubbed it against a stone. Suddenly the stone began to bleed. The woman was terrified and bolted from the scene. She fell down in the nearby land. Soon she passed away. The owner of the land too got scared. He gave away the plot from where the woman ran off. The place where she had succumbed to death was also gifted to the temple. This place is now known as “Varanattu Madom”. During the temple festival the deity is carried in a ritual procession first to this place. God, having accompanied the Brahmin, hiding in his umbrella, reached the temple well through an underground path and appeared in a particular spot as Swayambhoo (something that happens on its own). So, the well of this temple has more prominence over the other temple wells. According to the belief polluting the well is equal to tarnishing the deity. The bathing ceremony of the deity was performed at that part of the Kadavu. The karanavar of Akavoor mana heard about the plight of the pulaya woman. He decided to build there a temple for Siva and Parvathy. Soon the deities were consecrated with the rituals conducted under the guidance of Ponalloor Namboothiripad. Since the kind Lord blessed him by coming with him seated in Namdoothiripad’s palm leaf umbrella from Iranikkulam to this place, it is famous as Thiruvairanikkulam. In Thiruvairanikkulam temple, idol worship and receiving offerings are done daily. But the sanctum of Goddess Parvathy is open only for twelve days commencing from Thiruvathira day of month Dhanu (Malayalam month). Lakhs of devotees arrive on these days to worship the Goddess. Although the shrine remains open for twelve days devotees are allowed to make their offerings every day. In the beginning the shrine was open on all days. Later on, this practice was abandoned. The Naivediyam (food for God) for Mahadeva was prepared by the Goddess. The priest keeps the required things in the temple kitchen. Then the door is closed. Once the rituals inside the shrine are preformed the priest once again goes to the temple kitchen to get the naivadiyam. By the time he was ready to perform the pooja everything would be cooked. According to the custom no one is allowed to go to the kitchen before the worship is over. Also, at this time nobody should enter the temple kitchen. Once, the karanavar of Akavoor Mana became anxious to learn the secret behind the miracle of naivediyam prepared in the temple kitchen. He went and stealthily opened the kitchen door before the worship. What he saw was astonishing. A bejeweled Parvathy Devi was preparing Naivediyam for Mahadeva. Namboothiripad was overwhelmed by fear and devotion. “Oh, mother of the Universe! He exclaimed aloud. Devi became furious at him for breaking the temple rules. Her eye was aflame with fury. “You have broken the temple rules. Even if his temple belongs to you, the mistake you committed is unpardonable. Hence from now on I won’t remain in this temple. Let the door of my shrine remain closed forever.” Namboothripad burst into tears. He prostrated in front of the Goddess and begged to be forgiven. “Oh, mother of this universe, please pardon me. I am ready to accept any punishment for my offense. But please stay here for the sake of other devotees.” Namboothiripad’s words of repentance softened the Goddess. “Alright. Commencing from Mahadev’s birthday (Thiruvathira of the month of Dhanu) for twelve days my devotees can see me. Those who come to worship me on those days will have my blessings as well as long marital bliss. On other days my shrine will remain closed. Still my presence will be here to protect and bless my devotees. Even when my shrine remains closed the devotees can give me their offering and get the blessings.” Saying this Goddess disappeared. The shrine instead of remaining open on all days was now closed except for those twelve days. Hundreds of devotees arrive here seeking the blessings of the Goddess even when the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Parvathy remains closed. The trust about Devi’s presence brings them here. They also make their offerings during their visit. Temple located at Thiruvairanikkulam, a walkable distance from Maramplilly (which is in on Aluva - Perumbavoor KSRTC Route) by crossing Sreemoolam bridge. Distance 10 kms. Or 11 kms from Desaom Junction between Aluva and Angamaly in NH 47 to reach Sreemoolanagaram and then 1.5 kms through Vallom Road and finally 1.5 km through Akavoor - Thiruvairanikkulam Road. Or 10 Km from Kalady Junction (Kalady-Kanjoor road). Aluva railway station is the nearest railway station to reach Thiruvairanikkulam Temple (8 kms). Cohin International Airport (CIAL) at Nedumbassery is the nearest airport to reach temple (10 kms).