Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple - 500 Years Old Temple

Built in early 16th century, this temple is located in the heart of the Kottayam town and is famous for its rich architecture. This area was once ruled by Thekkumkoor kings. One king of this dynasty used to visit Vadakkumnathan Shiva temple in Thrissur every month. When he became old he prayed to God that he cannot undertake this journey. As he could not visit God, he desperately preferred death. God told him in his dream that he would accompany him to his place, Kottayam. On his way back, the king happened to meet a destitute Brahmin priest in Vaikom, who belonged to the Pereparambu family. On his request, the Brahmin accompanied the king to Kottayam. Accidentally in a place, this Brahmin happened to recover a Shiva linga within the earth. The Linga was rough all over.

According to the advice of the Brahmin, the king built a temple in that place. So in this temple, besides linga, there is a separate sanctum for Vadakkumnathan, Muruga, Durga and Brahma Rakshas. There was a close friend for that king named Moose. He was so handsome than the king and the queen fell in love with him. Knowing this, the king ordered his servants to kill Moose. Instead of killing him, the servants killed the junior priest of the temple (Keezh Santhi). The wife of the priest became a Brahma Rakshashi and started troubling everybody. So the king built a shrine for her. For a long time afterwards, women do not prefer to visit this temple because of this fact. The walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful paintings of different scenes from the Hindu epics. The innermost sanctum of the temple is adorned with impressive images of epic characters from Hindu mythology. The ‘Koothambalam’ (theatre of the temple, where traditional art and dance forms are performed) of this temple is renowned for its design.