The hoary Chowalloor Siva Temple or Mahadeva Temple, as it is called, is famed to be over centuries old. Located approximately three kilometers away from the popular pilgrim spot Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple (Bhoolokavaikuntam), the Chowalloor temple is yet another significant pilgrimage center for saints and seekers alike. Considered to be one of the 108 Sivalayas consecrated by Lord Parasurama, the fascinating legends linked to the Chowalloor temple bear testimony to the ancestry and age of this temple. Lord Siva, the deity of Thrissur Sree Vadakunnatha Temple is said to have manifested himself on an umbrella carried by one of his beloved devotees, a pious more old Namboothiri from Chowalloor, who used to walk all the way to Thrissur to have daily darshan of the Lord. When His devotee became too old to visit Him regularly, the Lond is said to have accompanied him to his home in Chowalloor. A temple was constructed at the very place where the Lord appeared to His devotee. People living in the vicinity of the temple believe that they have a divine protection from snake poison because of the presence of Pannagabhushana or Lord Siva. A unique feature of this temple is that in the two-tiered sreekovil or sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Lord Siva is seen facing West and that of His consort Sree Parvathy faces East showering blessings in all directions. The Sapthamathrukkal, a precious black stone idol symbolizing the seven divine mothers is also worshipped in the temple in the form of idols made of Krishnasila, yet another rare phenomenon. Several years ago, a plan was drawn to renovate the old and time- weakened sections of the temple. Under the able guidance of the grand master of temple architecture and the Acharya of traditional Vastu Sastra, Brahmastee Kanipayyoor Krishnan Namboothiripad, the plan was set in motion and renovation work began in earnest with a modest cost outlay of 10 lakhs. Even this seemed too large an expense for the temple to bear. And therein lies the miracle of the Chowallur Siva temple. Today, the first stage of the renovation work has been completed at a cost of over Rs.1.25 crores and the entire sum of money has come from donations and interest free loans from across the globe. People have reached out across the seven seas and filled the coffers of the Temple to abundance. Though the renovation work was extremely risky, the administrators or Bharana Samithy and the holy men who guided them saw to it that the Vattakovil or circular roof was renovated strictly adhering to the age-old and now almost extinct methods of traditional Vastu Vidya practiced in Kerala. Only rare Anjily wood, seasoned in medicated oil, was used for all the timber woodwork. The mortar for bonding and plastering was made of a mixture of burnt shell-lime, sand and essence of rare herbs. The roof of the unique two- tier Vatta Sreekovil was covered with copper sheets. The floor of the inner temple was paved with granite slabs. The inner and outer walls and the Namaskara Mandapam were also repaired and given a brand-new look. Another important milestone in the renovation project was the Gajaprishta Sreekovil dedicated to Lord Karthikeya. The administrators also undertook the task of cleaning the temple tank and setting up a water harvesting facility, providing perennial water for the temple and all the people in the neighbourhood. The sanctum sanctorum dedicated to Lord Hanuman is also completed. The Deity-installation ceremony was conducted on Thursday the 1st of June 2006. On the that day the temple precincts turned into a unique zone of unison of great Tantric & Vedic masters as well as spiritual heads. This is a rare opportunity for all devotees from far and near to become a part of this great endeavour and be blessed. Special rituals are being conducted annually to commemorate the consecration. The Karpooradi Dravyakalasa & Mahakumbhabhisheka were conducted in 2001. At Chowalloor temple, the power and grace of the consecrated deity of Lord Siva and Parvathy form the focus of the special poojas and offerings here. Innumerable followers bear testimony to the efficacy and power of the poojas and offerings specified here. Lord Siva, facing the east is revered as Kshipraprasadi (one who is quick and prompt in his response to the pleas and prayers of his devotees). This is a firm belief rooted in actual life altering experiences. Poojas at the Chowallur Temple are performed twice during the day. Morning-4:00 am to 12:00 noon and Evening - 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Apart from the regular poojas and offerings, there are several special offerings here as well. Mrityumjaya Homam: A solemn offering with the sole purpose of granting a peaceful end to the terminally ill and dying. This is also a prayer to heal all those who can otherwise find no hope of recovery or cure. Dampathi Pooja: This offering is for the successful arrangement and conduct of marriages. The strict adherence to vedic rites has meant that only a single Dampathi pooja can be offered in a day. It is a matter of great pride that the booking for Dampathi poojas is over for many years in advance. Even so, devotees believe that the mere intention of offering this pooja brings with it immediate and miraculous results. 1001 Kudam Dhaara: Amidst the chanting of vedic mantras, 1001 pots of water are poured over the deity's head as a form of anointing. The benefits of this pooja are multifold and get manifested in all walks of life. Ahassu: This is a comprehensive offering which comprises all the small and regular offerings as well as care and maintenance of the temple premises for a day. Ahassu Endowment: This is a scheme which invites interest free loans. On remittance of Rs.10, 000.00, interest is calculated for a period of 5 years and a corresponding value of Ahassu offering is made in the name of the person who loaned the money, on any date specified by him. The money is refundable after a period of 5 years. If the loaner does not want the money back, then the temple will absorb the money and also undertake to perform the Ahassu offering once a year for the rest of the person's lifetime. Pattum Thaliyum, Chaarthal: This is an offering made to grant marital bliss for the numerous anxious brides. It is also the offering for wedded couples to enjoy long lasting marriages. In the fourth year since its initiation, this offering has seen a quantum leap in the number of participating devotees. Annadaanam: It's an accepted fact that while all forms of charity can never truly quench the basic thirst in human nature, hunger is the only appetite that can be satisfied to the utmost. On the first Monday of every Malayalam month, a mass feeding of over 1000 people is carried out in the temple. This offering is a monthly occurrence and a sight to behold. Mass feeding is also done as an offering on special days on the temple calendar. Akhanda naamam: On the first Monday of every Malayalam month, the strident tones of devotees ring out in a ceaseless chant of Om Sivaaya Namah from dawn to dusk, 6:00 am to 6: pm without pause. People from all walks of life come here to join this gathering of faithful voices and be a part of this communal vedic chanting, once a month. Vishnu Sahasranaamam: Every evening, the Vishnu Sahasra naamam is chanted at sunset after the Deeparadhana or Aarti. At Chowallur, the administrators are aware that this is the completion of only the first part of the renovation project. Several projects rooted wholly in the science of Vastushilpa are already well into their planning and execution stages.