The Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 eminent Siva temples in India and the speciality of this temple is that Siva prathishta has been done giving darshan to the western side. This temple is situated in Manjapra village in Ernakulam District of Kerala. The legend has it that this temple existed even before 2000 B.C. and as such one can see that this temple is one of the oldest temples in India. The prathishta of Siva is in Kirathamoorthy Sankalppa which is Vettakkaran. There is also the legend that the Prathishta have been done by
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Karthyaveerarjuna The Legend also says that this temple first had the Prathishta of Sri Devi (Parvathy) but when Karthyaveerarjuna came to the temple to do darshan, Sri Devi's sannidhaya was not there and so he conducted Prathishta of Siva in the temple. He stayed in the cave constructed by him on the northern side of the temple and he spent his time meditating on Lord Siva (Siva dhyanam). It has also been found that there is an existence of Devi Sannidhya in the temple and so poojas and sevas are done for Devi also in the temple. In an Ashtamangalyaprasna conducted by Daivanjan Kaimukku Parameswaran Namboodiripad, he concluded that there is an invisible huge tunnel connecting the well and the pond of the temple and this tunnel extends from the pond to about 30 km east of the pond. At the end of the tunnel, there situated a very old temple and a pond having trees and plants of high medicinal value. In the Prasna, (astrological consultation) Daivanjan Kaimukku Parameswaran Nambudiripad enlightened that the prathishta of this temple was that of the Kirathamoorthy worshipped by Kirathas and tribes in the very widespread forest area extending up to Boothathankettu in the East, Kidangoor in the West, Ezhattumugham in the North and Kadayirippu in the South side. Panayil Pazhoor Mana is the owner trusty of the temple. All the Pradhosha are very important days in the temple. Thiruvathira day in Dhanu, Vidhyarambam, Mandala days and Thiruvathira Nakshthram in the month of Makara is the Aarattu day after 8 days festival. The festival days are very important days in which Siva remains very joyful. Uthram star in Medom is the Prathishta day of the temple. Niraputhari and Ramayana masacharanam are the other important occasions and days. The Festival of the Temple is conducted in a very grand style with the cooperation and assistance of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. The Specialty of this festival is that all persons whether belonging to the Hindu religion or other religions consider it a local festival. The festival lasts for 8 days and religious celebrations are carried out in strict tantric ways but for the enjoyment and assembly of all concerned, cultural and other programmes which fit with the temple culture are also conducted in the temple. On the 7th day of the festival, the idol is brought out from the temple and accompanied by seven eminent elephants of Kerala and well-known artists for Panchavadhyam and Chendamelom, a procession is conducted through the Manjapra town and later ends at the temple and the idol will be take in. On the 6th of the festival day, Utsavahali is conducted in the temple in a majestic manner. The main offerings to the lord are 1000 Kalasabhishekam (Sahasra Kalasabhishekam ), Dressing Idol with Sandal, Sreerudhram Dhara, Tulabharam, and Navagrahapooja. In Ashtamangala Prasna it is found that there was a lack of sannidhaya of Siva and suggested improving the temple. A samithy of Hindus was constituted for the purpose of improving the temple, reconstructing and repairing the temple and re-establishment of pooja, sevas, festivals and other celebrations. The samithy was registered under the Kerla charitable institutions Act. The samithy with the co-operation and assistance of all local persons irrespective of religion is now getting assistance from all sections of the people. Samithy was able to conduct Naveekarana Kalasam in 1992 from April 8 to April 18 (1167 Meenam 26 to Medom 5). The entire structure around the Sreekovil including Sreekovil, Naalambalam, Thirumuttom, Sopanam, and Pond of the Temple were all reconstructed thoroughly adopting the very style of Tachu sastra and without destroying the originality of the temple in any way. Pradhakshina Paths inside and outside of the temple were all laid with designed black stone containing artistic engravings connected with the Siva Mahathmyam. The collection counter outside the chuttambalam was constructed recently for receiving offerings and the counter was inaugurated on Kodiyettu day of the festival 2002 by the trustee of the temple Bhramasree Ravi Narayanan Namboodiripad of Panayil Pazhoor Mana. One of the most important offerings to the lord is Sreerudhram dhara. This is conducted by thanthries who belong to the Rig-Veda group. The Dhara is conducted using all important sukthas in Rig-Veda. The cost charged by devaswom is 251/- per dhara. Another important offering is 1000 Kalasabhisheka to be performed by thanthries. This may cost about Rs.3000/ - or above according to the style prescribed by the devotees. Mainly the samithy has two parts, one is Sevasamithy and the other is Bharanasamithy. The Bharanasamithy consists of a manager, a convener and two members, who have the full authority to make administration inside the Temple and they take charge of the daily affairs of the Temple. Sevasamithy is an executive samithy which has got wide power to regulate the affairs of Bharanasamithy. The Sevasamithy has got 120 Lifetime members, persons who have completed the age of 18 years and belong to the Hindu religion and residing in Manjapra are entitled to take a membership in the Sevasamithy. The executive body of sevasamithy consists of the following posts, convener, joint convener, secretary, joint secretary, treasurer and 6 members. The Members of Sevasamithy are to be elected from the Annual general body of the temple and hold their office for a period of 3 years. Besides the above samithy there was an Advisory samithy also, it includes 4 persons, they are generally two from the public, one from the trustee of the temple and one from the Thanthri of the temple.
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