Udayamperoor Ekadasi Perumthrikovil Temple

Udayamperoor, Tripunithura, Dist. Ernakulam.

Udayamperoor Ekadasi Perumthrikovil Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in Udayamperoor, Ernakulam district. The main deity, Lord Shiva, is worshipped as Perumthrikkovilappan. It is believed to be one of the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala consecrated by Parashurama. The main deity is enshrined facing east.

The temple is believed to be around 800 to 900 years old. The oldest inscriptions found here date back to the 12th century, after 1100 AD. Historical records suggest that the temple was built or extensively renovated during the period of the medieval Chera Perumals. Historians believe that the name ‘Udayamperoor’ originated from the term ‘village of the rulers’ (Udiyans). Three ancient inscriptions have mainly been found at the temple. Two of them are damaged due to age, while the third can still be clearly read. The 12th-century inscriptions record details of land grants and offerings made to the temple by the rulers of that period. An important proclamation of the Chera ruler Godaravivarma is also found among the inscriptions in the temple premises.

Another inscription from the 14th century records that Narayanan Ravi built the copper roof and mandapam of the temple during the reign of King Veera Kotha Ravivarma Kizhapperoor. This inscription can be found on the base of the Namaskara Mandapam. The temple has one of the largest circular sanctums (Vatta Sreekovil) in Kerala. Its massive structure and copper-covered roof show the development of temple architecture in medieval Kerala. The Nalambalam, outer walls and granite base of the circular sanctum are also part of the ancient structure. The inscriptions and architectural features dating from the 12th to the 14th century highlight the historical importance of the temple.

According to belief, after creating Kerala, Parashurama established 108 Shiva temples to maintain peace and prosperity in the land. Udayamperoor Perumthrikovil is considered one of the important temples among them. The main Shiva Lingam is believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu) and not made by human hands. According to legend, when Parashurama came here, he discovered this self-manifested Shiva Lingam and recognising its divine nature, built a temple at the site. Although Shivaratri and Pradosham are usually important occasions at Shiva temples, there is a special legend behind the inclusion of ‘Ekadasi’ in this temple’s name. In the past, when poverty and illness spread across the area, the local people offered special prayers and performed poojas to Perumthrikovilappan on the Black Ekadasi day in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. It is believed that the hardships in the area then came to an end. In memory of this, Vrischikam Ekadasi began to be observed as an important annual occasion and the temple came to be known as ‘Ekadasi Perumthrikovil’.

The temple is located along the Ernakulam–Vaikom Road. The large entrance gateway, known as the Padippura, is built with granite and laterite stone and can be seen from the road, along with the covered passage next to it. A spacious car parking area is situated between the main road and the temple compound wall. A large Aanapandal in front of the temple is also clearly visible from the road. On entering the temple, there is a wide sandy courtyard and a large circumambulatory path paved with granite. Directly in front of the Sreekovil is the Namaskara Mandapam, supported by granite pillars, with historic inscriptions carved into its floor. A large wooden Vilakkumadam, arranged for lighting oil lamps, surrounds the Nalambalam.

The temple has one of the largest circular sanctums (Vatta Sreekovil) in Kerala. This fully circular structure is an excellent example of medieval Kerala temple architecture. Its lower base is built entirely of granite. The large conical roof is covered with copper plates and topped with a gold-plated finial. Remains of old murals and fine wood carvings can be seen on the outer walls. Lord Shiva, the main deity, is enshrined facing east inside the Sreekovil. The Shiva Lingam is believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu) rather than made by human hands and has a natural slight tilt. It is placed inside a small square sanctum at the centre of the circular structure.

In addition to the main deity, shrines dedicated to other deities are arranged in different parts of the temple. Within the main Sreekovil, the concept of Goddess Parvati is placed behind the Shiva Lingam, facing west. This is a rare arrangement in which Shiva and Parvati face opposite directions within the same Sreekovil. On the southern side of the circular Sreekovil, Lord Ganesha is enshrined facing east, while the shrine of Dakshinamurthy, a form of Lord Shiva, faces south. Outside the Nalambalam, in the south-west corner, Lord Sastha, or Ayyappan, is enshrined in a separate Sreekovil facing east. In the north-west corner within the temple compound, there is a sacred grove for the Naga deities, including Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The shrine of Brahmarakshas is situated outside the Nalambalam on the north-eastern side. Special poojas are performed for the Naga deities on Ayilyam days.

The main festival of the temple is Vrischikam Ekadasi, which is also the reason for the inclusion of ‘Ekadasi’ in its name. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November–December), the festival includes special poojas and rituals on the Black Ekadasi day. Many devotees, including those from distant places, visit the temple for darshan on this day. As Lord Shiva is the main deity, Maha Shivratri in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March) is another important occasion. On Shivratri, the temple receives many devotees from the early morning and devotees observe the Shivratri fast and remain awake throughout the night. Special Yama Poojas and Laksharchana are also performed during the night. Thiruvathira is celebrated on the Thiruvathira star in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December–January), with rituals including Thiruvathirakali. Special abhishekams and poojas are also performed on Pradosham days every month. In addition, special poojas are performed for the Naga deities on Ayilyam star days every Malayalam month, with Ayilyam in the month of Kanni being observed on a larger scale.

The main offerings include Dhara, Pinvilakku, Koovalamala, Shankhabhishekam and Umamaheswara Pooja. Dhara is offered for the relief of the Lord’s thirst and for peace of mind, while Pinvilakku is offered for family prosperity and the long life of married women. Koovalamala, a garland made of Koovalam leaves, is offered for relief from illness and the fulfilment of wishes. Shankhabhishekam is performed using water from a specially worshipped conch. Umamaheswara Pooja is performed for harmony between couples and to remove obstacles to marriage. Pushpanjali and various Payasam offerings are also important offerings. Appam and Karukamala are offered to Lord Ganesha, along with the breaking of coconuts, to remove obstacles. Neerajanam is performed for Lord Sastha on Saturdays for relief from the adverse effects of Shani. Noorum Palum and Ayilyam Pooja are offered to the Naga deities for relief from Naga Dosha.

The temple opens daily for darshan between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. After the Nirmalya Darshan, Usha Pooja is performed, followed by Pantheeradi Pooja at around 8:00 AM. Ucha Pooja is performed between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM, after which the temple closes. It reopens at 5:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at around 6:30 PM, at sunset. Athazha Pooja and Thrippuka are performed between 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM, after which the temple closes for the day. Pooja timings may vary on special days such as Shivratri, Vrischikam Ekadasi, Karutha Vavu and Pradosham.

Men are required to remove their shirts and vests before entering the Nalambalam. Those who wish to cover their upper body may wear a thorthu or shawl (veshti/angavastram).

Key highlight :-

• Located 5 km from Tripunithura, 12 km from Vyttila and 20 km from Vaikom.
• The nearest railway station is Tripunithura, 5 km away, while Ernakulam South Railway Station is 14 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Ernakulam.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in nearby towns.