Thiruvumplavil Mahadeva Temple is situated at Anicadu, a village near Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district in Kerala. The temple is about 200 metres from the Muvattupuzha - Punaloor State Highway (Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha Road). The uniqueness of this temple is the Thirukulambu and Theerthakkara near the temple. Thousands of devotees do the Pithru Tharppanam at this place during Mahasivarathri and Karkkidaka Vavu. It is believed that the holy water flowing through the Thirukulambu is Kashi Theertham. The presiding deity is Lord Siva and sub-deities are Sree Parvathi, Lord Subrahmanyan, Lord Ganapathi, Sree Bhuvaneshwari, Rakshassu and Sarpangal. The story goes that the Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy revealed themselves to a more fervent devotee at this place. It is said that years and years back two old Brahmins, on their way to Kashi passed through this place (Anicadu). It was a dense forest during that time. They saw a diseased cow on their way. One of the Brahmins decided to take care of the cow while his friend continued his journey to Kashi. With his sincere and dedicated attention, the cow recovered from the disease. He was very happy and content about the fact that he could save the life of the cow, but at the same time felt sad about his incomplete pilgrimage to Kashi. While sitting near the cow with all these thoughts, Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy revealed themselves before him and said “You need not worry about your incomplete pilgrimage to Kashi. You have performed a great sacrifice by saving the life of a being, for which we are very much pleased with you. In fact, it was Goddess Parvathy who came before you as a cow to see how devoted you are! You can see the cow’s hoof (Kulambu) mark over the surface of the rock and the holy water flow through the same, where you have performed this great sacrifice. This holy water is the great Kashi Theertham and you can perform all the rituals here itself and it will be considered as good as doing it at Kashi”. With those words, Lord Siva and Parvathy disappeared. He performed the rituals in the Kashi Theertham (Divine water from Kashi) flowing through the Thiru Kulambu (Holy hoof) there itself as advised by Lord and got the ultimate state of Yogeshwaran. The Theerthakkulam (Pond) at the north side of the temple contains this holy water flowing through the Thirukulambu and lots of people perform their Pithru Tharppanam rituals at this place. The name was Thiruvumplavil is formed from Thirukulambai as above. The first renovation project was carried out in 1119 (Malayalam Era) under the leadership of the Late Vasudevan Elayathu, Anikkattillam. Sreekovil, Valiyambalam, Thidappilli, Balikkalpura etc. were constructed and the Dravya Kalasham was conducted on 21st Medam 1121. Later in 1130, Gopuram, Office building, Theerthakkulam were constructed. In 1994, Gopuram was constructed at the South Gate of the temple. In 1995, the Devaprashna Parihaara Kriya was carried out under the leadership of Brahmasree Manayattattu Vasudevan Namboothiri and Bhagavathahamsam Brahmasree Malliyoor Shankaran Namboothiri. During the period from 1996 to 2000, a lot of renovation activities including Sreekovil, Chuttambalam, Upadevatha puna-prathishta, Chuttuvilakku, Balikkal prathishta, Dravyakalasam etc were carried out. In 2001, Theerthakkulam was developed further together with Baliththara for the convenience of devotees who come here to do the Pithru Tharppanam. Major events observed in the temple are Mahasivarathri, Kalasavarshikam, Karkkidakavavu, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri, Mandala Aacharanam, Ashtami Darshanam, Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Laksharchana etc. Thiruvathira, Aayilayam Pooja, Amavasi, Pradosham, Special Umamaheshwara Pooja, and Shanidosha Nivarana Pooja are also observed in temple with much devotion. Thanthri of the temple is Manayathattu Illathu Anil Divakaran Namboothiri. The Theerthakkara, an important sacred site where Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati revealed themselves to grace a devotee who had taken care of a diseased cow on his way to Kashi, at the north side of Thiruvumplavil Mahadeva Temple is blessed by Lord Kashi Viswanathan with the Kashi Theertham (which flows through the Thirukulambu). It is believed that performing Pithru Tharppanam at this holy place is as good as doing Pithru Tharppanam at Kashi on the banks of the holy river Ganga. Thousands of devotees perform the Pithru Tharppanam at this place during Mahasivaratri and Karkkidakavavu. Moreover, this is one of the rare places in Kerala where the facility for Pithru Tharppanam is made available for devotees throughout the year. Nakshatra Vanam, a garden with plants and trees corresponding to the 27 stars is another speciality of the temple. The temple opens at 5. 30 in the morning and all poojas and offerings are done with the most reverence. Gaurishankaram Kalyanamandapam, equipped with necessary lighting, audio and seating arrangements was inaugurated on 15th April 2007 by Brahmasree Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. Capacity of Gaurishankaram Kalyanamandapam is 500 and Oottupura is 200. Sanathana School of Life and Vedavyasa Grandhasala in the temple act as the cultural centre for the society around.