Triprangode Siva Temple

寺廟是在喀拉拉邦最重要的寺廟之一。

The temple is one of the most important temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on the side of fields known as ‘Vellottu padam’. spreads over a vast area of around 6 acres, with many sub-shrines, trees and ponds. There is a huge banyan tree in front of the temple. Another major tree in the temple complex is elanji tree, considered very important to Lord Shiva. The main idol is the swayambhoolingam of Lord Shiva, facing west. There is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Parvati towards the left side of Lord Shiva. There are four more shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the temple complex. One is considered the ‘moolasthanam’, that means the original seat of the Lord. It is called ‘Karanayil Temple’. The other three shrines represent the three steps taken by the Lord to kill Yama.

There are five ponds around the temple, among which three are in the temple complex itself. There is a pond in front of Karanayil Temple, which clearly approves the belief that it is the original seat. Very near to it, there are two more ponds, one named ‘Santhikkulam’, literally the place where the priests take bath before entering the temple, and the other named ‘Vellottukulam’, as it is near to Vellottu fields. The pond at the south-western corner of the temple is considered to be the place where the Lord washed his trident after killing Yama. There is a huge pond outside the temple complex in the north-eastern side. It is mainly used for public uses, for example : learning swimming, washing animals, etc. Devotees also take a bath here before entering the temple.