Sree Thrippalur Maha Shiva Temple

Kattusseri, Pullode, Dist. Palakkad.

Sree Thrippalur Maha Shiva Temple is a famous Shiva temple located on the banks of the Gayathripuzha River in Thrippalur village, Palakkad district. Lord Shiva, along with Narasimha Murthy and Sree Krishna, the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, are the main deities here. The three deities are worshipped as the main deities of the temple, making it a sacred place where both Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions are represented. It is one of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala believed to have been consecrated by Parasurama.

Sree Thrippalur Maha Shiva Temple is centuries old. Although the exact year of its construction is not recorded, the temple is clearly mentioned in old Manipravalam works and Sandesa Kavyas. During the rule of the Palakkad rulers, the temple was under their direct control. Later, its administration and supervision were carried out by the Kavallappara Swarupam, a branch of the Palakkad royal family. Various repairs and renovation works were carried out during this period. The murals painted on the eastern wall more than a hundred years ago are also part of its historical heritage. As the roof and Chuttambalam suffered damage over time, major renovation works and a Kalasam were carried out in recent years with the support of devotees and the Malabar Devaswom Board. At present, the Malabar Devaswom Board, under the Government of Kerala, manages the daily administration of the temple and supervises its staff. A Trustee Board and an advisory committee, with the participation of local devotees, also assist in the administration with the approval of the Devaswom Board. The traditional Tantric families, Andaladi Mana and Kaimukku Mana, conduct the poojas and major rituals of the temple.

According to legend, Parasurama was travelling through the sky with three sacred Shiva idols when he became tired and came down to rest. He consecrated the idol in his right hand at Ayiloor, the one in his left hand at Pallavoor and the third at Thrippalur, placing it on the ground while pressing his foot firmly into the earth. The name ‘Thrippalur’ is said to have come from the belief that it was the place where Parasurama placed his sacred foot. As the three idols were consecrated at the same time, devotees believe that the temples at Thrippalur, Ayiloor and Pallavoor have a spiritual connection and that visiting all three temples on the same day is auspicious. Another legend says that Narasimha Murthy was in an intense and fierce form after killing Hiranyakashipu. A large temple pond was built outside the western entrance to calm this fierce form. Devotees believe that as the gaze of Narasimha Murthy falls directly on the water of the pond, his fierce form is calmed and prosperity comes to the land.

Sree Thrippalur Maha Shiva Temple is situated amid green paddy fields and the Gayathripuzha River, surrounded by the natural beauty of the countryside. From a distance, the temple complex resembles an old traditional Kerala nalukettu ancestral house. A beautiful Padippura stands at the main entrance, while a large temple pond is located outside the western entrance. Inside the main entrance is a large Nalambalam with a spacious courtyard paved with polished granite stones. Namaskara Mandapams with granite pillars stand in front of the Sreekovils. The eastern wall of the Nalambalam features rare murals painted in rich colours more than a century ago. Natural clay roof tiles, granite and traditional woodwork give the temple its distinctive Kerala architectural style.

Inside the same Chuttambalam, three main Sreekovils stand in a row, all facing west. The central Sreekovil of Lord Mahadeva is a beautiful two-tiered circular sanctum, with old carvings on its granite base and walls. The main deity is a Shiva Lingam, worshipped as Lord Shiva in a calm form. The Sreekovil of Narasimha Murthy, located next to it, is also circular, with a granite base and traditional woodwork. The deity is Narasimha Murthy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, shown in his fierce form immediately after killing Hiranyakashipu. The third Sreekovil is square in shape and has a smaller single-tiered roof than the other two. The deity is a four-armed form of Lord Vishnu, worshipped by devotees as Sree Krishna in a calm and pleasant form.

In addition to the main Sreekovils, the temple has separate shrines for Lord Ganesha, Sastha, Subrahmanya, Hanuman and the Naga deities. Ganesha is installed in a separate chamber on the southern wall of Lord Shiva’s Sreekovil inside the Nalambalam, facing west. Sastha has a separate Sreekovil outside the Nalambalam at the south-western corner of the temple complex, known as Kanni Moola. Subrahmanya Swamy is worshipped in a separate Sreekovil outside the Nalambalam on the north-western side. A separate place is also provided outside the Nalambalam for devotees to worship Hanuman Swamy. The Naga deities, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, are installed on a raised platform in the north-eastern corner, set against a sacred grove.

The main annual festival is held on the Deepavali Karutha Vavu day in the Malayalam month of Thulam (October–November). Maha Shivaratri in Kumbham (February–March) is also celebrated with special poojas and darshan throughout the night. On Thiruvathira in Dhanu (December–January), special poojas and offerings are performed for Lord Mahadeva. Ashtami Rohini in Chingam (August–September), marking Sree Krishna Jayanti, is celebrated with special importance for the Sree Krishna deity. During Navaratri in Kanni (September–October), special Deeparadhana and prayers are held for all nine days. During the 41-day Mandala season, from 1 Vrischikam to 11 Dhanu, the Ayyappa shrine and the shrines of the main deities receive many devotees.

The main offerings to Lord Mahadeva are Dhara, Koovala Mala and Pinvilakku. Dhara is performed to calm Lord Shiva and for mental well-being. Koovala Mala is offered for the fulfilment of wishes, while Pinvilakku, a lamp lit behind the Sreekovil, is offered for family prosperity. Panakam, made with jaggery, dry ginger and cardamom, is an important offering to Narasimha Murthy to calm his fierce form. Tulasi Mala is offered to remove the effects of enemies and overcome fear. Palpayasam is offered to Sree Krishna for the prosperity and educational progress of children, while butter is offered for success in endeavours. Ganapathi Homam and breaking coconuts are performed to remove obstacles, while lighting sesame wicks and Neeranjanam are offered to Ayyappa for relief from the effects of Saturn. Noorum Paalum is offered to the Naga deities to remove Naga Dosha.

The temple opens every day at 5:30 AM with Palli Unarthal. Usha Pooja, followed by special Neyyabhishekam and Dhara for Lord Shiva, is performed before sunrise. Around 10:00 AM, Ucha Pooja and Nivedyam are completed, and the temple closes at 10:30 AM. It reopens at 5:30 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at around 6:30 PM, performed simultaneously at the three main shrines. After Athazha Pooja, the temple closes at around 7:30 PM. The timings may change on special days and during festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and Deepavali Karutha Vavu, when the temple may remain open for darshan until late at night.

Key highlight :-

• Located 4 km from Alathur and 18 km from Palakkad.
• The nearest railway station is Palakkad Junction, about 22 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Palakkad.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 8547229545.