Aluva Mahadeva Temple - Lord Shiva (Bala Kshetram)

This Shiva temple is located on a small island portion of the Mangalapuzha and Periyar river in Aluva. The self incarnated Shiva Linga was installed by lord Parasurama and worshipped by lord Rama, legend says. Because of its geography, Aluva Mahadeva Temple came under a series of destruction by flood. Lord Shiva told Parasurama that no temple structure will exist at this place because he does not want a temple structure for protecting the Lingam. And so, the temple was left unfinished even today. Another legend is associated with Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, a legendary poet. One day, he visited this place and identified the Shiva Linga installed by Parasurama.

He started doing the pooja, but there were no vessels to offer ghee to the lord. So, he used a Kavungin Pala (arecanut leaf) to offer the rituals. Even today the naivedyam is offered in Kavungin Pala and is called Palanaivedyam. On monsoon days, the temple is flooded and the Shiva lingam submerges into the water. So the temple authorities decided to construct a small construction on the banks of the river in order to perform poojas during the monsoon season. This temple is called Bala Kshetram. The belief is that, lord Shiva wishes to have natural bathing and so, he is left with the rituals on the monsoon times as the river itself will do the same.