Ezhava is a caste in Kerala. Shiva is a Hindu god. Ezhava Siva refers to Siva idol consecrated by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru at Aruvippuram, in 1888. This was major break from tradition as installation of idols by non Brahmins was considered blasphemy and Sree Narayana Guru belonged to the lower caste Ezhava community.
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Consecration of Ezhava Siva Lingam at Aruvippuram
Till early part of 20th century, Ezhavas and other lower castes were not allowed inside Hindu temples. During Sree Narayana Guru's wandering life he happened to be at Aruvippuram in 1888. He decided to build a place of worship open to all castes. He picked up a stone from near by Neyyar river and used it as an idol for the proposed temple and consecrated it.
This act challenged age old Brahmin hegemony. When many Brahmin priests questioned his right to do so, he replied famously that what he installed was an "Ezhava Siva". Thus leaving those questioned tongue tied. Questioning the Brahmin supremacy, He further asked whether the universal power belong to any caste? He also set up temples at Aluva, Vypin, Cherai, and Moothakunnam.
Legacy
Narayana Guru's actions are widely acknowledged to have paved way for later movements by lower castes for temple entry, including the ‘Vaikom Satyagraha’. 125th Anniversary of Aruvippuram installation was celebrated in 2013. Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor inaugurated the function marking the 125 years of the consecration of the Aruvippuram Shiva Temple.