Ernakulam Shiva Temple, also known as Ernakulathappan Temple is one of the major temples of Kerala, located in the heart of Ernakulam. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is considered as the city temple, with the presiding deity as the protector of the city, as per local Hindu faiths and traditions. Hence, the deity is reverently called Ernakulathappan, which means Lord of Ernakulam.The temple history itself has deep association with history of the city and was one of the 7 royal temples of Kochi Maharajas. The temple is now under administration of more Cochin Devaswom Board. The temple in its current form was built under active patronage of Diwan Sri Edakkunni Sankara Warrier in year 1846 and raised it level of a Royal temple in the Kochi Kingdom. The temple is built on 1-acre land. According to legends, Arjuna, the Pandava performs a severe penance to propitiate Lord Shiva. Pleased with Arjuna devotion Shiva accompanied with his consort Sri Parvathi set out from their abode at Kailash to meet Arjuna. To show Parvathi the devotion that Arjuna has towards him, Shiva disguises himself as Kiratha a tribal hunter before appearing before Arjuna. Just as Shiva appears before Arjuna he sees a wild boar charging towards Arjuna and shoots an arrow at the boar. Arjuna, who is an accomplished archer, also shoots an arrow at the boar. The boar who was in fact a demon named Mookasura in disguise is killed and its original form is revealed. However, dispute arises between Arjuna and Kiratha as to who is the real killer of the animal. A battle ensues between the two, lasting a long time, ultimately resulting in Kiratha victory over Arjuna. The vanquished Arjuna, makes a Shiva Linga out of mud and performs a pooja offering flowers. To his surprise, he sees that the flower he offers over the Shiva Linga is falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then realises that Kiratha is none other than his Lord Shiva. Shiva, in his true form, along with Parvathy appears before Arjuna and blesses him. He also gifts him the divine arrow, the Pasupathastram. There is another legend about the student of Kulamuni named Devalan. He killed a snake and the Sage cursed him to be born with the head of a snake and the body of a man. When Devalan begged for a means of escaping from the curse he was told that he would find an idol of a serpent which he was to carry with him and worship devotedly. At some place it would get rooted and he would get salvation at that place. The idol got stuck at the place where the Ernakulathappan temple stands today.At his request Shiva and Parvathy appear here and exist in the form of Linga. It is this Gourisankara roopam that is seen as Swayambhoolingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Later the temple was built and the deity installed. The pooja methods were regularised as directed by the famous Villawamangalathu Swamiyar. The Linga Prathishta was made facing west. Devotees who dedicate themselves to the lord with utmost devotion are said to be relieved of their sufferings leading to ultimate Moksha.