KADUTHURUTHIMAHADEVA TEMPLE-KOTTAYAM DISTRICT- KERALA-COMPILED

Dear friends,

Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple or the Thaliyil Shiva Temple isone amongst the 
trio of most legendary Shiva Temples in Kerala.  The Mahadeva temple was 
installed by thedemon Khara (of the Khara Dhooshana demon duo mentioned in the 
famous epicRamayana) along with Ettumanoor and Vaikom temple shrines.  The 
idols at Vaikom and Ettumanoor templesare believed to be installed at the same 
time by the demon Khara. 

As there are replicas ofVaikom & Ettumanoor Shiva shrines in the temple, it is 
believed a visithere before noon is as good as a visiting all the three 
important Shiva temples(Vaikom, Ettumanoor, and Thaliyil Mahadeva) on the same 
day at the same time. Visiting the three Shiva temples atVaikom. Kaduthuruthy 
and Ettumanoor on a single day will bring prosperity andthe blessings of Shiva. 

Karthaveerarjuneeyam – the mythological story is depicted incarvings at the 
temple.

Today my posting is about this temple. Hope a divine reading.

Gopalakrishnan 12-08-2025

Introduction

Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple Kaduthuruthy MahadevaTemple or the 
Thaliyil Shiva Temple is one amongst the trio of most legendaryShiva Temples in 
Kerala.

The Mahadeva temple was installed by the demon Khara (of theKhara Dhooshana 
demon duo mentioned in the famous epic Ramayana) along with Ettumanoor and 
Vaikomtemple shrines. There are replicas of Vaikom & Ettumanoor Shiva shrines 
inthe temple,

it is believed a visit here before noon is as good as avisiting all the three 
important Shiva temples (Vaikom, Ettumanoor, andThaliyil Mahadeva) on the same 
day at the same time. Visiting the three Shivatemples at Vaikom. Kaduthuruthy 
and Ettumanoor on a single day will bringprosperity and the blessings of Shiva. 

 

Legend 

The legend of the Kaduthuruthy temple is linked with thegreat epic Ramayana. As 
per legend, Kharasura – mentioned in Ramayana installedthe Shiva lingam. An 
ardent devotee of Shiva he performed strict penance atChidambaram. Impressed by 
his Tapasya Shiva granted him a boon & 3 Lingams. He travelled southward 
&carried one in each hand and the third in his mouth. Overcome by the weight 
ofthe Lingams, he tried to rest at Vaikom & then at Ettumanoor and theLingams 
got installed at each place. The last Shiva Lingam installed was fromhis mouth 
& the site got the name “Kadichiruthy Prathishta.” (Kadichu – bite,thuruthy – 
to be placed). Hence it is believed that darshan of all threeLingams before 
noon on a single day fulfils wishes.

History 

Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple was under the jurisdiction of theVadakkumkoor 
dynasty. It is said that nearly 300 years ago the temple wasconsumed by fire, 
but the mandapam, with its beautiful carvings, was spared. Asthe fire was 
spreading out, the chief priest of the temple clasped the idol athis breast and 
gave up his life to protect it. The idol of this chief priest iserected at the 
northern part of the shrine to commemorate the event.

A Rajah of the Vadakkumkoor dynasty used to worship thethree deities at 
Kaduthuruthy, Vaikom, and Ettumanoor on the same day but as hebecame old, he 
could not continue it. Hence, he arranged for the replicas ofthe deities at 
Vaikom & Ettumanoor to be installed at the Kaduthuruthytemple. It is believed 
that by worshipping the deity at the Kaduthuruthy temple,the devotees will get 
the benefit of visiting both Vaikom & Ettumanoortemples.

When the place was under the reign of Vadakkumkoor dynasty afestival lasting 
for twenty-eight days was celebrated at the temple. Soon itgradually came to an 
end. Maharani Sethu Lekshmi Bai revived thefestival and enforced orderliness 
and punctuality in the temple observances.Later the Vadakkumkoor dynasty merged 
into Travancore & the family deityfell into misfortune for about a century. The 
priests found it hard to meetwith the daily expenses of the temple, but two 
families Mangalathur (Panicker)and Thazhathu (Kaimal) came forward with 
financial help to maintain the decorumof the temple. 

Today Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple has risen to be one of themajor temples under 
the Travancore Devaswom Board.

 

Architecture 

Architectural elegance marks the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple!At the temple, one 
can find medieval Kerala Temple architecture at its best!The mandapam in front 
of the shrine has on display a fantastic collection ofwood carvings depicting 
the story of “Karthaveerarjuneeyam.”

 

Presiding deity

The presiding deity of the Kaduthuruthy temple is Lord Shiva.The Sivalinga at 
the temple is only 3” tall & is the smallest of the threeSivalingas that was 
installed by Kharasura. It faces to the east.

Upadevathas (SubDeities) 

The deity of Ettumanoorappan is placed at the southern gateand Vaikathappan at 
the north. Hence by worshipping the deity at theKaduthuruthy temple, it is 
believed that the devotees will get the triplebenefit of praying at 
Kaduthuruthy, Vaikom & Ettumanoor. 

On the southern side, an idol of Sree Ganapathy is placed. Deities of Dharma 
Sastha & Goddess Durgaare also there at the temple complex along with the idol 
of the priest who losthis life in the temple fire.

Festivals 

A ceremonial 10-day celebration is conducted at the templeevery year in 
December with much pomp & splendour. The temple is lit upwith lamps and the 
deity is taken out in a procession of elephants.

The Annual Festival at the Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Shiva Templeis a ritualistic 
way of paying obeisance to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity ofthe temple. The 
annual festival celebrated for ten days in the Malayalam monthMedam. The event 
is marked by various rituals and ceremonies.

Prathishtadinam in kumbham, and  Sivarathri are celebrated. 

Mandalam is celebrated for sastha. 

 

Poojas

Palli Unarthal (awakening) at 3:30 AM, Nadathurappu (openingof the sanctum) at 
4:00 AM, and Nirmalya Darsana. Other important Poojasare Ethirthu Pooja, Usha 
Pooja, Ethirthu Sribeli at 6:30 AM, Panthiradi Poojaat 7:30 AM, Navakam Pooja 
at 9:00 AM, and Ucha Pooja at 10:00 AM, 

Here's a breakdown of the temple's schedule:
   
   - Daily Poojas:
   
   - 3:30 AM: Palli Unarthal (Awakening) 
   - 4:00 AM: Nadathurappu (Opening the Sanctum) 
   - Nirmalya Darsana: Viewing the initial offering 
   - Ethirthu Pooja: (A special Pooja) 
   - Usha Pooja: Morning Pooja 
   - 6:30 AM: Ethirthu Sribeli 
   - 7:30 AM: Panthiradi Pooja 
   - 9:00 AM: Navakam Pooja 
   - 10:00 AM: Ucha Pooja (Midday Pooja) 

Deeparadhana: 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

 

Darshan timings 

Morning: 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM  Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

On the day of the Udayasthamana Pooja, closing at 11.30 P.M.as there are 21 
poojas on that day.

Some offerings in thetemple

Ada Nivedhyam₹80

Aikyamathiyasooktha Manthra Pushpanjali₹50

Appanivedhyam₹100

Ashtadravya Ganapathy Homam₹500

Bhagavathy Seva₹300

Dhara₹80 Dhara - Jalam ( Continously)₹240

Dhara - Ksheeram₹400 Ellu Paayasam₹50

Ganapathy Homam₹60

Kadum Payasam ₹45 Karuka Homam₹50

Kudumbarchana₹50 Mrithyunjaya Havanam₹100

Palpayasam₹80 Pizhinju Payasam90

Rudraabhishekam₹30 Sivapooja₹260

Dress code 

Men: Mundu & Veshti, and boys can wear shorts.

Women: Sarees, Skirt or Salwar suit.

Location

The Kaduthuruthy Temple is located in scenic surroundings atthe backdrop of the 
picturesque Vembanad Lake and on the top of a small hill. The temple is 
situated mid-waybetween Vaikom and Ettumanoor.

 

Getting toKaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple

By Air – Nedumbassery Airport is 63 km away.

By Rail- Kottayam Railway Station is 25 km away.

By Bus – There are many direct buses from the Kottayam busstand.

Contact details

Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple

Kappumthala Rd, Kaduthuruthy,

Kerala 686604. 

Specialty

It is believed that by worshipping the deity at theKaduthuruthy temple, the 
devotees will get the benefit of visiting both Vaikom& Ettumanoor temples. 

 

History ofKaduthuruthi

It was the Capital of erstwhile kingdom of Vadakkumkoor whichhas been annexed 
to Travancore in 1754 by Marthanda Varma. The first SandeshaKavyam (Message in 
Poetry) in Malayalam called "Unnuneeli Sandesham" gives an insight intothe 
history of the town. The author is believed to have been a member of one ofthe 
Travancore Royal Families. The work describes the grand harbour of the townin 
great detail, although the sea is now several miles away having receded 
sometimein the 14th century possibly following an earthquake or a tsunami.

 

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