Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK) in Kochi.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Kottayam Railway Station.

• By road

  The temple is 12 km from Kottayam and 54 km from Ernakulam.

Rules to know

• Men should wear mundu or dhoti, and women can wear saree or traditional attire.

Why devotees come here

Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Kottayam district, Kerala, and one of the 108 Shiva temples in the state. It is renowned for its mural art, and the Pradosha Nritham fresco is considered one of India's finest wall paintings.

Ettumanoor is one of the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. Tradition says Shiva appeared at this place in eight forms, which gave the place its name: ettu means eight and maanam means form. Tradition also says the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa worshipped here. Legend links the temple's golden elephants to Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the founder of the Travancore kingdom.

The present temple, with its gopuram and surrounding fortress, was rebuilt in 1542 CE. The gopuram carries a painting of Nataraja, Shiva's dancing form. The Pradosha Nritham fresco depicts Shiva's cosmic dance and is considered one of India's finest wall paintings.

Unlike most temples, the idol here faces west. The temple lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam districts, and the nearest towns are Kidangoor, Pala and Kaduthuruty.

Festivals

• February, during the ten-day festivalEzhara Ponnana Darshan

  Held at midnight on the eighth day. Its procession of gold-finished elephants draws large crowds.

• Kumbham month (February to March)Annual ten-day festival

  Described as the most auspicious time to see the temple's splendour.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees gather at the Asthana Mandapam for darshan of the golden elephants.
• Thanaloram, a riverside eco-tourism and relaxation spot on the Meenachil River near Ettumanoor.
• Kidangoor, Pala and Kaduthuruty are the nearest towns to the temple.

Questions people ask