Om Namah Shivaya!
Introduction to Triprangode Shiva Temple
Lord Shiva is worshipped in Mrityunjaya form in this temple. To understand the history of this temple, one should know the reference of Shri Markandeya in Shiva Purana. It is considered that Shri Markandeya was saved and blessed by God Shiva at this same temple – The Triprangode Shiva Temple.
Quick Information
| Nearest Airport | Calicut Airport (CCJ) |
| Distance from Airport | Approximately 44 Km |
| Travel Time from Calicut Airport | Approximately 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
| Travel Options from Tirupati Airport | Private Taxi cabs / Bus service |
| Nearest Railway Station | Tirunavaya (TUA) or Tirur (TIR) |
| Travel Distance from Railway Station | Taxi from the railway station or Autorickshaw |
| Travel Options | Taxi from the Railway station or Autorickshaw or busses |
| Nearest Bus Station | Kuttipuram Bus Stand |
| Travel Options | Bus Service, Private Taxi, Autorickshaw |
| Temple Timings | Morning 4.15 AM to 11.30 PM Evening 4.30 PM to 8.00 PM |
History of Triprangode Shiva Temple
When speaking about the history of The Triprangode Shiva Temple, we must speak a little about Tirunavaya temple as well to understand the context. It is at Tirunavaya temple that Maha Rishi Mrikandu and his wife were performing their penance. Rishi Mrikandu and his wife did not have children.
When God was happy with their penance, God Shiva asked Rishi Mrikandu a question. Do you need a child who will be intelligent but will live only till he is 16 years of age or a child who does not have intelligence but will live a long life? Rishi opted for a child who will be intelligent. Thus, with God’s boon, they received a baby boy who was named Markandeya.
When Markandeya was completing his 15 years of age, he understood that his life would end soon. By this age, Markandeya had deep knowledge about spirituality and decided to seek godly protection from death. Markandeya sought protection from Maha Vishnu and reached Tirunavaya temple.
By then, the god of death, Yama had already reached to take away Markandeya’s worldly life. When Markandeya sought protection through Maha Vishnu, he said that to protect Markandeya from Yama, he will need to approach God Shiva.
It is said that a new door opened on the west side of the Sri Kovil (Sanctum) and Maha Vishnu who was in the form of Nava Mukunda assisted Markandeya to escape from Tirunavaya temple premises. It is also said that God Nava Mukunda went along with Markandeya so that the child would not lose his way before reaching God Shiva. Thus, with the assistance he received from Nava Mukunda, Markandeya reached a God Shiva temple which is called Karanathil Shiva temple. The God Shiva in this temple is facing west.
Even today, once you visit Triprangode Shiva Temple, you can see the sanctum sanctorum of Karanathil Shiva temple. Upon reaching Karanathil Shiva temple, Markandeya ran into the sanctum sanctorum and embraced the Shiva Linga, and requested to save him from Yama. By then, Yama threw his noose which held both Markandeya and Shiva Linga. When Yama tried to tighten the noose, God Shiva became agitated and took his fierce (Raudra) form. God Shiva took 3 steps from there and killed Yama with his Trishul (Trident). Today, in those places where God Shiva kept 3 steps, you can see three Shri Kovil.
About the Triprangode Shiva Temple
After killing Yama, the place where God Shiva sat is the main sanctum sanctorum of Triprangode Shiva Temple. The presiding deity Shiva is worshipped in the form of Mrityunjaya Shiva. When entering the temple, you can see a big banyan tree. It is said that there used to be 2 trees in this place and the tree split itself into 2 for Rishi Markandeya to escape from Yama. However, today, only 1 part of the tree can be seen. After you cross the tree, you can visit the temple pond, wash your feet, and visit the first temple which is Karanathil Shiva temple. Another significance of Karanathil Shiva temple is that the Pratistha was performed by Parasurama himself.
After visiting this temple, one must visit the Vettakkorumakan and Bhadrakali Pratistha. Then comes the 3 Shri Kovil where God Shiva kept his feet before killing Yama. One can see 3 different Shiva Linga in these 3 Shri Kovil.
Next, you should proceed to Nava Mukunda Pratistha. Nava Mukunda is Maha Vishnu himself. Nava Mukunda accompanied Rishi Markandeya from Tirunavaya and was here till God Shiva killed Yama. So, there is significant importance to Nava Mukunda Pratistha here. From here, you enter the main sanctum sanctorum of Triprangode Shiva Temple.
Shri Ganesh and Dakshinamoorthy Pratistha is the first you see when you enter the main sanctum. Towards the left, there is Shri Parvati Pratistha as well. It is said that Shri Parvati appeared here after God Shiva killed Yama. Shri Parvati here is facing west direction. It is believed that it was Shri Parvati who calmed down God Shiva. After the Darshan of Shri Triprangode Appan (Presiding deity), a devotee comes out and pray once again at Nava Mukunda Pratistha and visits God Ayyappa and Goshala Krishna. This is the order one should follow in Triprangode Shiva Temple.
There is equal importance given to multiple ponds within the temple premises. 1 of the ponds is called Rudra Kulam (Malayalam word for pond). This is the same pond in which God Shiva washed his Trishul. No one uses the water of this pond. There is another pond called Vellodu Kulam. It is said that in the olden days, Rishis used to perform Yagna and later it turned into a pond. It is also said that there is a Nandishwara idol inside this pond. One another pond is also present in the temple premises and is considered to have the presence of Ganga Devi. Water from this pond is used for rituals and daily use in the temple.
Upadevatas
Shri Parvati, Ganapati, Dakshinamoorti, Karanathil Shiva, Nava Mukunda, Vettakkurumakan, Bhadrakali, Ayyapa and Goshala Krishna are the upadevata Pratistha’s in Triprangode Shiva Temple.
Vazhipadu / Offering
Shankh Abhishekam is the main vazhipadu or offering in Triprangode Shiva Temple. The water from the holy pond within the temple premises is taken and abhishekam is performed on the Shiva Linga. Only the main Poojari or temple priest performs this. Devotees are not allowed to perform Abhishekam on the Shiva Linga. Other Vazhipadu includes Koovala Mala (Indian Bael garland) offering, Udayasthamana Pooja, Uma Mahaswara Pooja, and Maha Mrityunjaya Homa. Pattu (silk) & Thali and Ghee Payasam (Kheer) is the main offering for Shri Parvati.
Architecture – Triprangode Shiva Temple
The Karanathil Shiva temple sanctum sanctorum is a two-storied structure. One can see beautiful mural paintings as well on the walls of this temple. Goddess Annapurna, Maha Vishnu, Swayamvara Parvati, God Shiva with 8 hands, etc. are a few notable mural paintings on the wall. Towards the southeast of the temple, there is a sculpture facing south that one can see when performing Pratakshina (circumambulation). The sculpture has Markandeya embracing the Shiva Lingam, Yama, and the fierce God Shiva with his Trident (Trishul). The name of the sculpture is ‘Apasmara Yakshan’.
Festivals – Triprangode Shiva Temple
Kodiyettu Utsavam is one of the main festivals in Triprangode Shiva Temple. It is an 8-day festival. In the Malayalam month of Dhanu (corresponding to 2nd half of the English calendar to the first half of January month), Kodiyettu Utsavam is celebrated starting with Thiruvathira star (Malayalam star). Special poojas are conducted during this festival.
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