Vennala Thykkattu Sree Mahadeva Temple is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala, since its more than 2000 years old. The inscriptions in stone seen in the temple speak of its antiquity. The circular sanctum sanctorum is an excellent example of great and ancient temple architecture. In ancient times the temple had more than 35 acres of land under its possession. But all that was lost in the passage of time. At present, the temple is under the Thykkattu Devaswom administration. This famous Temple is situated at Vennala on the eastern side of Cochin Corporation. There is a popular legend about the name more Vennala. This was the place where the Venna (Butter in Malayalam) spread like an ala (wave). The butter that was stored in the house (Arakkillom) that Duryodhana had built for the Pandavas melted when the house was set on fire to kill the five Pandava brothers, their wife Panchali and their mother, Kunthi. Mahadeva is consecrated here as Kiratha Moorthy in a calm and peaceful state. The devotees in and around worship and consider the deity as very mighty and benevolent. With its powerful vigour, Lord Shiva is calm and has a majestic appearance. There is another legend that shows how Kiratha Moorthy came to be consecrated here. This is believed to be the place where Arjuna sat in penance for attaining the Pashupathasthra. Lord Shiva appeared before Arjuna in the form of Kiratha (hunter) and after testing him and blessing him with the Pasupathastram, rested in the place where the temple stands today. Thus, the self-originated Kiratha Moorthy began to be worshipped here. There is a popular belief about the events that led to the consecration of Lord Vishnu. A Brahmin woman, who was a devotee of Lord Poornathrayeesha of Thripunithura found it impossible to go to that temple in her old age. Lord Vishnu appeared at this place and blessed her. At an astrological consultation, it was found that Lord Vishnu has to be given equal importance as Lord Shiva. Lord Dharma Shastha is consecrated and worshipped here.  Sree Durga and Sree Ganapathy are placed on the sides of the main Sanctum Sanctorum in the inner courtyard. Brahmarakshasu is in the position of the Raasi of Meenam and the Nagas on the south-west corner of the temple. Mullakal Bhagavathy is also consecrated near the outer wall of the temple. The most important offerings for Mahadeva are the Pradosha Pooja and Sreerudram Dhara on the day of Pradosham. Other offerings include Kadum Payasam, Dhara, Udayasthamana Pooja, Mruthyunjaya Pushpanjali and Abhishekam with tender coconut. Many devotees worship in the temple with prayers and aspiration for a child, as they believe in the legend of a Brahmin couple who were blessed with a child after sitting for Bhajanam and worshipping here. Many offer Uma Maheswara Pushpanjali and Bhagyasooktha Pushpanjali for a happy & peaceful married life and for a fast & happy marriage. Sahasrabhishekam and Udayasthamana Pooja are offered for attaining health & wealth.  Maheswara showers blessings to each and every one of his devotees according to their wishes. Many devotees vouch to the fact that the Darsan of Thykkattappan itself is more than enough to get rid of the undesired lust, fury and hallucination of the human mind. Some of the other major offerings include - Anointing the idol with 1001 pots of water (1001 Kudam Abhishekam) - for fulfillment of what is prayed for. Pooja for the prosperity of the family (Kudumba Aishwarya Pooja) - For unity in the family. Paashupathaasthra Thrayambakaarchana - Protection from enemies. Umaamaheshwara pooja - Good married life. Mangala pooja, Swayamvaraarchana - Removing the impediments to marriage. Annadanam (Distribution of food) can be offered during the festival and on the day of star Thiruvathira every month.  The Shivarathri festival is celebrated piously with all traditional rituals. Udayasthamana Pooja, Rudhrabhishekam, Prasada oottu, Panchavadya etc. The annual festival which falls immediately after the Sivarathri is celebrated every year with great pomp and show. There will be traditional Pooja like kalasas, Kodiyettu, Para, pakalpooram with 3 elephants, Ulsavsbali, cultural programs, Aarattu, Aarattu sadya Fireworks etc. Thalam from Kizhakkum Bhagam accompanied by Melam & traditional folk-art forms is one of the main attractions of the festival. Chathussatham is the favourite offering to Lord Shiva. Umamaheshwara pushpanjali and Bhagyasooktham pushpanjali are believed to bring in prosperity and a good married life to the devotees. There is Poomoodal for Parvathy Devi which is supposed to bring peace & prosperity to the family. For every Thiruvathira Rudrabhishekam is performed. Prasada Oottu is another ritual on that day.  Every Saturday the deity is anointed with 101 tender coconuts as Abhishekam. On the day of Vinayaka Chaturthi, Maha Ganapathy Homam is conducted. Pashupathasthra Trayambaka Archana, is a very special and effective archana of Thykkatt Sree Mahadeva Temple. If you do it continuously for seven days, the results are amazing and assured and the devotees will vouch for their experience. This is performed only in very few temples. The power of the Archana with this mantra may be equated with the power of the Pashupathaasthra itself. According to Mahabharatha Arjuna, the Pandava had undertaken a tapasya to attain powerful weapons. As he was immersed in the worship of Lord Siva, Mukasura appeared there as a wild boar and tried to interrupt his penance. Arjuna shot an arrow and killed it. At the same time, another arrow also struck the boar. It was from Siva who had disguised himself as a Kirata. The question of who had killed the boar led to an exchange of arrows between Arjuna and Lord Siva. Arjuna found it difficult to continue and fell unconscious. On regaining his senses, he started worshipping Lord Siva. The flowers that he mentally offered the Lord were seen on Kirata’s body which made Arjuna understand who he was. Siva was pleased with Arjuna’s bravery and devotion and gave him darshan with Goddess Parvathy and gave him the Pashupathaasthra. It was a very powerful, lethal weapon capable of destroying creation itself and defeating all beings and blessing the user (Ugra, nigraha anugraha aayudha).  The temple is open for daily pujas from 5.00 am to 10.15 am and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.