This temple is at Kadavoor near Kollam town. This is believed to be one of the 108 famous Siva temples in Kerala. Legend connects this temple with Sage Mrukandu who prayed to Lord Siva for a son. The Lord asked the sage whether he wanted a son with a long life but without any intelligence or one who would be intelligent but live only for a few years. The Sage asked for an intelligent boy. So Markandeya had only sixteen years of life. Markandeya was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and on the last day of his life, he constantly prayed to the Lord.
more So, the servants of Yama could not take him away. When Yama himself came and threw the rope to tie Markandeya, the rope went around the Sivalinga. Lord Siva was angry at this and appeared to fight with Yama. The fight ended with Yama proclaiming that Markandeya would never face death. All this is supposed to have taken place at the place where this temple stands today. The idol that Markandeya had worshipped was destroyed and another one was found at that place later on. This was consecrated here. Siva as Mruthyunjaya is consecrated facing the west here.
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