Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple, traditionally believed to be one of the 108 Shiva temples established by Parasurama, is located in Iranikulam village, about six kilometres from Mala in Thrissur district. Although the temple is associated with ancient legends, its documented history extends back about 1,500 years. It is presently administered by the Cochin Devaswom Board. The temple houses one of the largest two-storeyed circular sanctums (Vatta Sreekovil) in Kerala and is protected as part of the Kerala Government’s Muziris Heritage Project.
The main uniqueness of the temple lies in its two principal deities. Both are manifesta-tions of Lord Shiva, but one is worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga, while the other is worshipped in idol form.
Since idol-form installations of Lord Shiva are extremely rare, the temple holds special significance.
Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple possesses a rich history spanning many centuries. During the reign of the ancient Chera Kingdom in the 9th and 10th centuries CE, one of the four major advisory councils that assisted the king in administration, known as ”Melthali,” functioned from this temple. Several Vattezhuthu inscriptions dating back to the 10th century have been discovered here, recording punishments for violating temple regulations and details of properties donated to the temple.
The temple served as the village temple of Iranikulam, one of the sixty-four Brahmin villages of Kerala. As the power of the Chera rulers weakened, temple administration passed into the hands of local Namboothiri families. Later, internal disputes among the administrators led to a division into two groups. As a result, a second sanctum was constructed near the original shrine and Lord Shiva was consecrated there in idol form. These two Shiva deities are today known as Thekkedathappan and Vadakkedathappan.
Centuries ago, the Chalakudy River flowed close to this village and served as an important trade route to the ancient port of Muziris (Kodungallur). However, the great flood of 1341 altered the river’s course, causing the region to lose much of its commercial importance. Later, invasions by Mysore rulers and internal conflicts caused extensive damage to the temple. It is believed that the rare Panchaloha idol of Goddess Parvathi in the Vadakkedam shrine was lost during this period.
Over time, the temple fell into a state of decline. However, after historical records and palm-leaf manuscripts were rediscovered, local people realised the temple’s significance. Following astrological consultations that confirmed the divine presence, the temple was restored. Today, this historic temple is maintained under the supervision of the Cochin Devaswom Board and with the support of the Kerala Government’s Muziris Heritage Project.
Several legends are associated with Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple. The most prominent among them concerns its consecration by Parasurama. According to tradition, after anni-hilating the Kshatriyas, Parasurama created the land of Kerala as an act of penance and divided it into sixty-four Brahmin villages. It is believed that he personally consecrated Thekkedathappan in the Treta Yuga to protect Airanikulam village.
According to another belief, the original Shiva Linga eventually disappeared. To ensure that worship continued uninterrupted, devotees fashioned a new Shiva Linga from sand and sacred darbha grass. The deity presently worshipped at Thekkedam is believed to be this very form.
There is also a popular legend regarding the origin of the temple’s two Shiva installations. Centuries ago, a serious dispute arose among the Brahmins who administered the village. As the conflict intensified, one group took control of the southern section of the temple while the other occupied the northern section. 
The southern group reportedly prevented the northern group from worshipping Thekkedathappan. Saddened by the interruption of worship, the northern group prayed fervently to Lord Shiva and eventually built another sanctum within the temple complex, where Shiva was consecrated in idol form. This deity later came to be known as Vadakkedathappan. The coexistence of Shiva in both Linga form and idol form within the same temple complex makes Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple unique among Shiva temples.
Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple is situated in the heart of Iranikulam village on the western side of the Mala–Kundur Road. The temple faces east and is clearly visible from the main road. There are two temple ponds situated to the northeast and south of the temple. On the banks of the Puthukulam pond stands the Mahavishnu Temple, another shrine of the complex. Facing east, this shrine houses Lord Narasimha in a peaceful form, blessing his devotee Prahlada.
Entering through the eastern gateway, one can see the golden flagstaff, the stone idol of Nandikesha and the main sacrificial altar. 
The temple complex spreads across approxi-mately sixteen acres and is filled with trees and lush greenery. Outside the temple walls, in the southwest, is the shrine of Dhanwanthari Sastha, while nearby are Naga shrines led by Nagaraja Vasuki. The western side of the temple houses a Nakshatra Vanam (sacred star garden) and the shrine of Karottamma, considered the original deity of the region. It is believed that Karottamma was worshipped here even before Parasurama’s arrival. She is the only deity in the complex facing west.
On the northern side of the temple complex stands the Vadakkedam shrine. Like Thekkedam, it has its own sanctum, nalambalam, bali stone and flagstaff. One of its special features
is that the main deity can be viewed directly from outside. Here, Lord Shiva is installed in idol form, a rare feature among Shiva temples. Shiva, Parvathi and Subrahmanya are installed facing east, with Shiva to the south, Parvathi to the north, and Subrahmanya in the center. These Panchaloha idols are considered unique in Kerala.
The most striking feature of the temple complex is its two main sanctums. Thekkedam, located in the south, is one of the largest two-storeyed circular sanctums in Kerala.
Built in the Sandhara style, it includes an inner circumambulatory passage around the sanctum. The roof is believed to have been constructed using sixty-four wooden panels joined together in a remarkable architectural design. The walls are decorated with hundreds of carved animal figures. Vadakkedam, on the other hand, is a two-storeyed square-shaped sanctum.
Thekkedathappan resides in the circular sanctum facing east. Since the deity is a self-manifested form made of sand and darbha grass, ritual bathing with water is not per-formed here. The deity receives the highest status in the temple and all worship begins here. In Vadakkedam, Shiva, Parvathi and Subrahmanya are consecrated together on a single pedestal as Panchaloha idols. Worship here begins only after the rituals at Thekkedam are completed.
The large Balikkalpura and the massive idol of Nandikesha at the eastern entrance, pro-tected by the Archaeological Department, are among the temple’s major attractions.
Together with its ancient architecture and unique concept of worship, Iranikulam Ma-hadeva Temple remains one of Kerala’s most remarkable Shiva temples.
The temple’s main annual festival is the eight-day flag-hoisting festival that concludes with the Aarattu ceremony on the Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu. Numerous special rituals, cultural performances and religious ceremonies are conducted during this festival. A unique feature is the simultaneous flag-hoisting on the flagstaffs of both Thekkedam and Vadakkedam. Cultural events such as elephant processions, Kathakali, Irattathayambaka and Karthika Vilakku are also part of the celebrations. In earlier times, the festival lasted twenty-eight days, but today it is observed for eight days.
Maha Shivaratri is another major celebration at the temple. Special poojas, lamp of-ferings, and all-night devotional singing are conducted on this occasion. Since Lord Subrahmanya is installed alongside Shiva and Parvathi at Vadakkedam, Dhanu Shashti is also celebrated with great devotion. Kavadi offerings, special abhishekams, Bhasma Kavadi and Kavadiyattam form part of the observances.
Vishu and Pathamudayam are celebrated with special importance in the month of Medam. The Deshaguruthi ritual performed at the shrine of Goddess Bhuvaneswari (Karottamma) during Vishu is particularly famous.
During the Mandala season, from the first day of Vrischikam to the eleventh day of Dhanu, special poojas and lamp offerings are conducted. Navaratri is marked by the Vidyarambham ceremony for children on Vijayadashami.
Thekkedathappan and Vadakkedathappan have distinct offerings. Since Thekkedathap-pan is a self-manifested form made of sand and darbha grass, water abhishekam is not per-formed. Important offerings include Ksheeradhara (milk abhishekam), Koovalam Mala and Umamaheswara Pooja. Pinvilakku, performed behind the sanctum in the concept of Goddess Parvathi, is believed to bring marital harmony and prosperity.
Since Vadakkedathappan is a Panchaloha idol, various abhishekams are performed here, including Jaladhara, Shankhabhishekam, Panchamruthabhishekam and Bhasmabhishekam. Devotees offer these rituals for the welfare and educational success of children. Pinvilakku and Neyvilakku are offered for marital prosperity and family well-being. Kavadi offerings during Dhanu Shashti are especially popular.
Other important offerings include Ganapathi Homam and Appam Moodal for the removal of obstacles, Deshaguruthi for Goddess Bhuvaneswari during Medam, Neerajanam and Saturday Vilakku for Lord Ayyappa and Sarpa Bali and Neyvilakku for the Naga deities.
The temple remains open to devotees daily from 4:30 AM to 9:30 AM and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Three daily poojas are conducted and worship of the other deities begins only after the rituals for Thekkedathappan are completed.
The temple opens at 4:30 AM with Nirmalya Darshanam.
Abhishekam is performed at 5:30 AM, followed by Usha Pooja at 5:45 AM. Uchcha Pooja is conducted at 9:30 AM, after which the temple closes for the morning.
The temple reopens at 5:30 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 6:30 PM. Athazha Pooja is performed at 7:30 PM, after which the temple closes for the day. Timings may vary during festivals and special occasions such as Maha Shivaratri.
