Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple

Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
East Tower at Vazhappally
Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple Location within Kerala
Name
Proper name	Maha Siva Temple, Vazhappally
Geography
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Locale	Changanassery
Culture
Primary deity	Lord Shiva
Important festivals	Painkuni Festival, Mudiyeduppu, Shivaratri
Architecture
Architectural styles	Kerala Traditional
History and governance
Date built	Reconstructed AD 840
Creator	Chera Dynasty

Vazhappally Sree Mahadeva Temple. Believed to be constructed in the 1st Chera King Dynasty. According to the legend, Kerala is the land gifted by Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. The installation of the idol of the Lord Mahadeva was performed by Lord Parasurama himself. This magnificent temple is one among the 108 Siva Temple established by Lord Parasurama. Lord Maha Vishnu was incarnated as Parasurama in the Thretha-Yuga. The exact period of installation of this temple is not known.

Vazhappally temple is historically important and contains some lithic records of the reign of Rajasekhara Varma Kulasekhara (820-844AD) besides some fine seventeenth century wood carvings (Daarusilpas) depicting figurines from epics. The Vattezhuttu inscription on the northern part of the base of the cultural shrine indicates that the repairs were completed in Kollam era 840 (AD 1665). It is an ancient Grama Kshethra also known as “Dakshina Kailasam”

In ancient period, this temple had 54,000 para paddy fields (Nilam). The soldiers of Chempakassery Raja killed one Unni of Changazhimuttom family of Kuttanadu who has gone there to measure the “Patta Nelu” of Devaswom at Venattukara field. He is installed as a Bhramma Rakshas in this temple. In order to satisfy the Bhrahmma Rakshas, “Kazhumaram” was being made in front of the Rakshas Shrine and the Prathiroopam of Chempakassery Raja is hanged. But later, these forms were removed. The Raja gave the pooja items for Pantheeradi to the temple as a mark of his repentance for killing Unni. The Raja has appointed the members of Thiruvenkitapuram Warriam as the heir of “Pantheeradi Choru”.

Utsavabali performing in Annual Festival

The idol of the vazhappally temple is centuries old and is considered as the Siva of Neelamperoor temple. The legend behind this concept is that CheraRajaPallibana Perummal, a follower of Budha, when de-throwned by the “Hindu Bhattas” following a defeat in argument, reached Neelamperoor. The news came to the ears of the potties of pathillams (Chengazhimuttam, Kainikkara, Eravimangalam, Kunnithidasserry, Athrasserry,Kolencherry, Kizhangazhuthu, Kannancherry,Thalavana etc.),that perumal is going to install his personal idol at Neelamperoor. Pathillathil Pottimars run with the idol Shiva of Neelamperoor and installed that idol at Vazhappally.