Similar Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple, Sasthamangalam Mahadevar Temple, Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna S | ||
Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala. This temple is more than 700 years old. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is within 3 km of the Central Railway Station, bus station, East Fort and Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
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An older temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu has a name similar to this one at Puthanchantha, Thiruvananthapuram.That temple is known as Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple.
Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board.
Legend
The legend is that an old woman sweeper of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple distinguished the Swyambhoo (self manifested) Shiva Linga idol while she was resting at this place. She got 'Darshan' (vision) of Lord Shiva at the spot at the temple site.
Goddess Parvati Devi's (Lord Shiva's consort) is also presence in this temple even though there is no shrine for her. The deity is called Gowri Shankara in this belief.
Many devotees attend the Nirmalya Darshan (which is witnessing the deity with the decoration of previous night when the temple reopens at 4 AM) and Mrithyunjaya Homam, which are believed to be benevolent for the devotees.
Deities and Sub-Deities
The principal deity is Lord Shiva. Sub-Deities are Maha Ganapathy, Lord Murugan, Anjaneya Swamy, Sree Krishna, Swamy Ayyappan, Nagarajah.
Main Offerings
Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Mrithyunjayarchana, Abhishekam, Dhara, Pushpabhishekam, Neerajanam, Venna Charthu for AnjaneyaSwamy, Ashtothararchana, Sahasranamarchana, Nateshalankaram and many more.
Festivals
The annual festival lasts for ten days and will be celebrated in the Malayalam month Dhanu (Dec-Jan). The Aarattu will be on Thiruvathira Star day which is considered as the birthday of Lord Shiva. Shivarathri festival is also celebrated in a grand manner. Anointing the idol of Lord Shiva with pure ghee throughout the day is performed on that day.