Udiyanoor Mahadeva Temple, located at Nalanchira on the Kesavadasapuram - Vembayam route in Thiruvananthapuram, is a unique shrine known for its worship of two contrasting forms of Lord Shiva. The lower temple (Thazhe Kshetram) is dedicated to the fierce Aghora Shiva, while the upper temple (Mele Kshetram) enshrines the peaceful form, Shanta Shiva. Both deities face east, and the Sreekovil in each shrine is circular in shape. The temples originally belonged to two brothers from the Edayanathu Madam. Tradition says the elder brother worshipped the serene form of Shiva and received His divine vision here, while the younger brother devoted himself to Aghora Shiva and also attained
more darshan. It is believed that the younger brother passed away soon after receiving the darshan of Aghora Shiva. Rumours then arose that the elder brother might have been responsible, which he could not bear; distressed by the false accusations, he ended his life by jumping into a pond. The temple once had the custom of therali offerings, a practice observed in earlier times.
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