Kilimarathukavu Temple
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| Kilimarathukavu Temple | |
|---|---|
കിളിമരത്തുകാവ് ക്ഷേത്രം | |
 The main temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kollam |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Festivals | Shivarathri, Skantha shashtti, Navarathri, Hanuman Jayanti |
| Governing body | Travancore Devaswom Board |
| Location | |
| Location | Kadakkal |
| State | Kerala |
| Country |  India |
| Geographic coordinates | 8°49′44.3″N 76°55′14.6″E / 8.828972°N 76.920722°E[1] |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Traditional Kerala style |
| Completed | Records indicate the temple is thousands of years old. Renovated in the 21st century. |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | One |
| Monument(s) | As per traditional vasthu sasthra |
| Elevation | 150 m (492 ft) |
| Website | |
| www.kilimarathukavu.com | |
Kilimarathukavu Shiva Parvati Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kadakkal, Kollam, Kerala, India. The deities include the cult images of 'Dharma Shastra', and an epithet of Ayyappan is also present within the temple.[1]
History
[edit]
Kilimarathukavu Temple is believed to be an ancient temple that was destroyed in the past, leaving only idols behind.[2] In the 21st century, a new temple was constructed.[3] In 2011, the Travancore Devaswom Board oversaw the renovation with the assistance of the temple advisory committee.
Temple Legend
[edit]According to folklore, during the Pandavas' exile in the forest, Arjuna traveled as an ascetic of Lord Shiva to seek Pashupatastra. One day during the journey, he came across a bird, which he began to follow. After several days, it reached a valley where it sat on a tree called Kilimaram near a clean stream. As Arjuna approached the bird, it plucked three leaves from the nearby Koovalam tree, and Arjuna felt like he was asked to increase his asceticism for Lord Shiva. Arjuna bathed in a pond nearby and worshipped the Shiva lingam he found there. As time went on, Arjuna's asceticism became severe.
As requested by Parvati, Shiva came to Arjuna as a tribal man, and Parvati came as a tribal woman. An asura in the form of a pig was sent by Duryodhana to kill Arjuna. Arjuna and Shiva in his disguise shot the monster with his arrows. During the ensuing argument, Arjuna beat the tribal man with his bow. Parvati stopped him and revealed the man's true identity. Hearing this, Arjuna did Sashtanga Namaskara and Shiva gifted him Pashupatastra and gave him blessings. Several other deities, including Ganapathy, Murugan, Shastha, and Anjaneyan burst in to the scene as well. Shiva told Arjuna, "The place where we are now is very sacred ,and whoever comes here for prayer should be blessed", and then disappeared. Upon saying this, a Shivalingam appeared in his place. Even today, the two Shivalingams are worshipped.[4]
Deities
[edit]The temple has two Shiva deities: Shiva and Mahanadan.[2] Other deities worshipped are Parvati, Murugan, Shastha, Hanuman (Anjaneya), Ganapathi, Nāgathara, and Navagraha.
Festivals
[edit]
- Maha Shivaratri on kumbham Malayalam calendar.
- Navaratri on kanni Malayalam calendar.
- Skandha Shashti on thulam Malayalam calendar.
- Mandalapooja Makaravilakku on vrischikam Malayalam calendar.
- Hanuman Jayanti on medam Malayalam calendar.
See also
[edit]- Guruvayoorappan
- Kadakkal Devi Temple
- Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple
- Sabarimala
- Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple
- Hindu temples of Kerala
- Chottanikara Bhagavathy amman temple
References
[edit]- ^ "Kilimarathukavu Temple Kadakkal". templesofkerala.org. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b ashish (29 May 2020). "Kilimarathukavu Temple in Kerala - Kilimarathukavu Temple Pooja Timing, Location". Religious & Pilgrimage Tour Packages. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Kilimarthukava Temple Kadakkal Kerala". hindudevotionalblog.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Kilimarathukavu Siva Parvathy Temple". www.kilimarathukavu.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
External links
[edit]- Sathya Sai Veda Vahini - Inauguration of Veda Patana Kendram -Kadakkal, YouTube video at and showing the temple (not in English language)