Thodeekalam Siva Temple

Situated around 2 km away from Kannavam near Thalasserry in Kannur district of Kerala, Thodeekalam Siva Temple is one of the popular Hindu temples in Kerala. The temple attracts not just a number of devotees, but also art lovers. The presiding deity in this well known temple is Lord Siva. It is supposed that the temple was constructed about 2000 years ago in a two storied rectangular building. The reason behind the popularity of this temple is its marvelously painted walls with mural paintings illustrating various stories of Indian mythology and epics. The temple follows different rituals on a daily basis. The rituals in the temple start with Nada Thurakkal at 5:30 a.m. and ends with Athazha Pooja at 7:45 pm. the temple has no special long lasting celebrations or festival in its premises. The key offerings of the temples are ‘Shankabhishekam’, ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Sarpabali’ and ‘Dhara’. Other than Siva, various paintings of different gods and goddesses have been decorated inside the temple, which are also worshipped during the everyday rituals. Different paintings depicting the various myths of Hindus mythology are put on the walls of the temple.

Establishment
It is depicted that the building of Thodikkulam Shiva Temple Kannur is 2000 years old. However, there is not specific proof that can justify the statement. An interesting myth has been associated with the establishment of the temple. As per the popular legend, around 100 years ago, astrologers predicted about the son of a Brahmin that he will die at the age of 16 due to biting by a snake. For the solution, the parents start praying for his life at ‘Vidyanatha Temple’ at Kanjirangad near Thaliparamba-Kannur. On the 16th birthday of the child, he gets a dream that in order to save his life, he should take shelter at the Thodeekalam Shiva Temple. Family follows the instructions of the dream and moves towards the temple. After having the lunch, the child goes to the pond opposite to the temple for washing his hands. A big snake comes from a hill near by the temple and follows the child. He runs towards the temple being frightened and embraces the idol kept inside. A small snake comes out and kills the big snake. The boy’s parents follow the small snake, which enters into a hole and disappears. Afterwards, they buy the lands around and present it to the temple.

Key Features
Thodikkulam Shiva Temple Kannur is one of the oldest temples of Kerala, popularly known for its ancient galleries of mural paintings. Said to be constructed about 2000 years ago, the place has the two-storey sanctum constructed in rectangular shape. An outer building and an incomplete Mukhamandapam (portico) opposite to the main shrine completes the whole structure of the temple. It comprises of around 150 mural paintings, in a 700 sq feet area divided into 40 panels, sketched on the four walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Most of the paintings portray the myths related to Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. Various tales of Hindu epics like Rugmini Swayamvaram and Ravana Vadham are drawn on these paintings. There are no roofs around the walls of the main sreekovil. On the temple front, there is no flag post and no long-lasting festival is being celebrated. On the days of ‘Sapthami’ and ‘Ashtami’ in the Malayalam month of ‘Vrishika’, and on Sivarathri, some small festivals are organized.

How to Reach Thodikkulam Shiva Temple:

By Air
Thodikkulam Shiva Temple is 2 km from Kannavam near Thalasserry, which is 34 km away from the Kannur International Airport.

By Rail
Thalasseri Railway Station is the nearest railway station for the temple that connects the place through various major trains.

By Road:
The temple is located in Kannoth near to Thalasserry, which has got three bus stops and located at NH-17 that connects it from Bangalore and Kozhikode.