Kaviyoor Mahadeva/Hanuman Temple

Welcome Thrikaviyoor Mahadevakshethram ,
kaviyoor,Thiruvalla,Kerala-State
Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950 AD has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. But the actual time of construction is not known, like any other old temples. Certainly, this temple belongs to the oldest period of structural temples.
History:
The main temple is the Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple which has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala. It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950/951 C.E. has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. The 'Darusilpas' (wood sculpture) seen around the temple belong to the 17th century. The temple festival is held in December–January of every year. Hanuman Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with the temple festival.
An important Siva Temple in Central Travancore known as Thrikkaviyoor Mahadevar Temple.
Several historians, like Stella Kramrich has this opinion. The Perfect round Sreekovil with Sandhara style and its peculiar basment clarifies this opinion. This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswam Board under Thiruvalla group of temples, but it is not maintained properly by the board despite being a good revenue-earner. Its majestic south Gopuram is in a dilapidated state, as are certain sections of office, guest house and feast hall.
Artwork:
The "DAARUSILPAS"(wood sculpture) seen around the temple belong to the 17th century when the temple was rebuilt/renovated. The wood carvings on the outer wall of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), inner roof of Balickalpura and Namaskara Mandapam are excellent. The Temple itself is a beautiful specimen of Kerala style architecture.
Main deity: Lord Mahadeva & Parvathi. The main idol is not Shiva, but 'Sambashiva' (സാംബശിവന്‍ = സ + അംബ + ശിവന്‍ = അംബാസമേതനായ ശിവന്‍), that is, Shiva with consort Amba (Parvathi)-as is evident form the 'mooladhyanam', the main invocational mantra. Even the locals are not aware of this fact. Instead of 'Mahadeva Temple', it should be called 'Sambashiva' or Uma-Maheshwara Temple. The addition of Parvathi, christened as Srimoola Rajeshwari, on the western side of srikovil was done by Kaviyoor Pachu Moothath (1845–1917) and relations who had the rights to 'kazhakam' of all shrines (nadas) within the temple, though this was objected to by the then Thanthri (chief priest) of the temple, saying there could not be two 'Parvathis'. However Moothath being the then royal physician for the king Sree Moolam Thirunaal and also the first principal of Ayurveda College, Trivandrum, used his connections to overurle the thanthri.
Upadevas
Hanuman: The Hanuman shrine in the north-west corner of Srikovil is very famous. The idol is believed to have been installed by sage Vilvamangalam Swami. The Lord is believed to sit on the Ilanji tree (Mimusops elengi) and the rostrum below just outside the sanctum sanctorum. The tree has been swallowed by a Banyan tree, despite being informed to the Devasom Board that the Banyan tree should be removed. Once an Ilanji perished new one would sprout at the same place, so there used to be no planting of new trees in the past. The raised dais-like structure, the Ilanjithara(ഇലഞ്ഞിത്തറ) around the tree used to be the podium for conducting arts and cultural programs. The unwanted Banyan tree is a threat to the temple complex. Its roots have already penetrated the wall of the nearby pond; part of the pond wall has collapsed. The roots can easily reach the very foundation of this illustrious temple and its Dhwaja sthambhom (the flag mast) soon! Alas! The whole temple is going to be a victim of lack of knowledge of local history and culture and lack of proper management of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Dakshinamoorthy: This is the southern shrine of the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamoorthy, the lord of knowledge or the Supreme Teacher, is a form of Shiva. There are daily poojas here. Lord Dakshinamoorthy is believed to sit under a banyan tree in the Himalayas facing south, teaching the wisdom of Vedas to the divine people. Hence the idols of this god is always installed facing south.
Nagadevathas: The Ilanjithara houses deities of Nagas (serpent gods). This was a later addition – as people, pressured by modern ways of living, found it difficult to maintain Naga shrines in their homes, the idols were transferred to the temple. The main pooja here is on the Ayilaym day in Kanni (Sept–Oct).
Sri Krishna Temple, Kaviyoor
The Sreekrishna Temple: Now reduced to a minor shrine, to the west of the Shiva temple, this temple, on the shore of a reservoir, existed much before the Mahadeva temple. Its location is unique in that the mound over which the Shiva temple was built hides this shrine from the rising sun. Since the temple is below the level of the main temple it is also called Keezhthrikkovil ( കീഴ് തൃക്കോവില്‍). The whole complex, though small, is a photographer's delight and has appeared in books on Indian temples. An independent temple, tantra-wise, it is regarded as a part of Shiva temple by the Devaswom Board for convenience of administration. The poojas are performed by a Brahmin family – Kuzhiyaanoor Illam – brought to Kaviyoor centuries ago exclusively for this temple from Kozhikode during the fiefdom of Pathillathu Brahmins.
Yakshi: The shrine is outside the temple, near Keezhchirakkal Illam, which owned it long ago. The 'Yakshi' was brought to Kaviyoor from Kodunthura, Pathanamthitta by an elder Moothath of the Illam when he married a girl from Kodunthura. The shrine was later handed over to Kaviyoor temple authorities. The concept of 'Yakshi' coalesced in to Hinduism from Jainism. The Yakhi is believed to bless spinsters who pray for timely marriage (മംഗല്യപ്രദായിനി).Special day: Aavani Onam (ആവണി ഓണം ).
Main Offeringsat Mahadeva and Krishna Temples: Shiva: Dhara; Hanuman: Vatamala, Aval Nivedyam(AvalPanthirunaazhi), Vettila mala, Thrikkai venna & Venna charthu; Krishna: Palppayasam
Festivals:
1.Thiruvutsavam of Mahadeva Temple: The annual fest commences from the day of Betelguese (Thiruvaathira, തിരുവാതിര ) in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December–January) and ends on 10th day by Araattu Ezhunnellippu.'Utsavabali','Seva','Pallivetta' are the main functions during Thiruvutsavam.
2.Sivaratri-February/March->Vilakkezhunnellippu lighting of 8000 Diyas of temple by devotees of 5 Kara's(Desam). (Sahasra Kalasam-Anointing the idol for 10 days with 100 pots of water; 1 gold pot,10 silver pot and remaining copper pots)
3. Hanumad Jayanthy, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with Thiruvutsavam (December–January).Aprocession with "Pushpa Ratham" (festooned chariot) is the main attraction. The "Ghoshayaathra"(rally) starts from Njaliyil Bhagavathi Temple.
4.Pantrandukalabham – August. (Anointing with Sandal paste
5.Ashtami Rohini: The birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Krishna at Sree Krishna Temple; Chingam (August–September)