This magnificent temple is situated 80 kms to the South-West of the famous Sabarimala temple along the Punalur-Moovattupuzha State High way in Pathanamthitta District.  The temple could easily be located on noticing a banyan tree very near to the road with an Althara which can be seen from a distance.  Surrounding the Banyan tree, there is a Mandapam artistically surrounded with beautiful mural paintings.  Inside the Mandapam there is an idol of Nataraja - the dancing manifestation of Lord Shiva facing the east.  From this Mandapam towards the west, the 60 Ft. high Gopuram artistically carved towering arches could be seen on the eastern side.  The 18 more ascending steps of the Gopuram leads to the sacred idols of Indilayappan (Sastha) and the Maha Shiva idols, which is the presiding deity of the Mahadeva Temple. Because of the presence of the Mahadeva and Sastha idols in the temple, there are two Dhwajas (towering flag posts coated with copper) adjacent to each other which is a rare spectacle seldom seen among other temples. The Maha Shiva idol and the Sastha idols are installed facing each other in this temple.  The real name of this temple is ‘Sankarapurathu Mukkalvattom Devaswom’ popularly known as Thikkalanjoor Sree Mahadeva Temple. The temple because of its geographical location functions as an important ‘Edathavalam’ – Pilgrim center giving shelter and refuge to pilgrims who come to visit Sabarimala via Punalur - Moovattupuzha State Highway. The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Mahadeva was constructed in circular manner and in ancient Kerala sculptures as in the renowned other Shiva temples of Kerala. The artistically decorated towering Gopurams on the East and West Nada and the Anakkottil - waiting shed for elephants during the festival ceremony are indeed rare specialties.  There is a well-furnished auditorium on the northern side of the temple with a seating capacity of more than 500 people.  There is also vehicle parking facility on both the eastern and western sides of the temple. The main deity of the temple is Lord Mahadeva installed in the form of Linga idol surrounded by other deities which are the Swayambhoo Sastha, Mannadi Bhagavathi, Mahaganapathi and other upadevathas (sub-deities) such as Bhoothathan, Rakshas, Yakshi and Nagaraja.  The legendary concept about the origin of this temple is that the main deity was installed by the majestic saint Khara who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and it claims an antiquity of more than 1100 years.  In those ancient times this place where the temple is now situated was covered with thick evergreen forest.  Saint Khara performed penance here and was successful in pleasing Lord Shiva by his profound devotion and sacrifice.  Lord Shiva gave him three Shiva Lingas out of which one was a Mahashivalinga for installation at three different places for propagating devotion and for prosperity.  Saint Khara installed these three Shiva Lingas during an auspicious time at three different places at an equal distance from each other in the east-west direction.  The Maha Shiva Linga was installed at Kalanjoor and the other two were installed at Peringanad and Arukalikkal. The Thanthram of this temple is performed by Kulakkada Thamarassery Nambi Madom and the present Thanthri (Chief priest) is Brahmasree Ramesh Bhanu Bhanu Pandarathil.  Pillavaipu, Jaladhara, Pushpanjali, Mrithyunjayahomam, Adithyanamaskaram, Therali, Unniappam etc. are the major offerings here. The annual temple festival starts in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March/April) with the star Utrittadi, when the flag is hoisted and ends with Thiruvathira Arattu.  The festival is for 8 days and on the 6th day during the star Rohini the Indilayappan festival is celebrated.  All the famous artists from South India participate in this festival. The festival is famous for its Carnatic music heritage.  Great Carnatic musicians like Chembai, Chemmamkudi, Balamuralee Krishna, Yesudas, Sheshagopal etc have also rendered their Carnatic concerts in this mega festival.  Other than the carnatic music concerts, Kathakali and other classical arts are also being performed in this temple during this festival. Kalamezhuthum Pattum for Indilayappan and Sastha and 41 days bhajan in Mandala pooja (December/January), Shivaratri, Ashtami Rohini, Bhagavatha Sapthaham during the Malayalam month of Dhanu (Jan/Feb), Ramayanamasam, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Pongala, Pathamudayam etc. are some other festivals. The most important offerings made in this temple are Mruthyunjaya Homam, Panthirunaazhi and Pillavaypu. Mruthyunjaya homam is offered to Mruthyunjaya moorthi to ward off death and diseases.  In Panthirunaazhi a special preparation made from 12 ½ measures (idangazhi) of rice is offered to Mahadeva for fulfilment of the desires of the devotees. Pillaveypu is an offering made to Indilayappan, and is unique to this temple. This is conducted for begetting a child and is performed on the day of star Rohini, especially in the month of Meenam. On that day an idol carved from stone is brought in a procession at the time when all the lamps are lighted and is offered at the sanctum sanctorum of Indilayappan. The day-today administration and routine temple activities are being carried out by Thrikkalanjoor Sree Mahadevar Devaswom Trust (a family trust consisting of members of Plastanathu  Madom).  Brahmasree Ramaru Vasudevan Potti is the present Chairman of the Trust.  The other rare speciality of this temple is that the members of the Plasthanathu Madom are conducting daily poojas. The present chief priest (Melshanthi) is Brahmasree Jithesh Raman Potti who has had his 7-year tantric studies in Thanthra Vidya Peedam, Aluva.   In this temple there are three wells for the daily pooja.  The main well is inside the Nalambalam.  The other two are in the North and South of the Prathikshina path way.  Even in summer, the water level of these wells remains full. It is believed that the ruling Prince of Travancore, Ayilyam Thirunal, visited the temple to worship there and was pleased at the way the temple was being maintained. He therefore sanctioned paddy and oil for the lamps in the temple. Even today the temple continues to receive it from the Devaswom Board. The major developments and renovation works were achieved during the governance of Late Brahmasree Ramaru Ramaru Potti, the former Chairman of the Devaswom Trust, with the cordial relationship with the devotees. The temple has become famous and also prospered very well due to the efforts of the Plasthanathu Madom family and the devotees of the place who have contributed magnanimously, liberally and sincerely for its development and welfare. On 08th September 2016, the Temple Trust conducted Ashtabandha Kalasam. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum has been paved with copper plates and on 11th September 2016 the golden top dome (Thankathaazhikakudam) was also consecrated.