Mararikulam Shiva Temple

Kerala is the narrow strip in the southern part of India which lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, bordering Tamil Nadu to the east and Karnataka to the North. The state is also considered as the most literate state in the country and is also known to be the most religious place where one can find the Hindu temples, mosques, churches and even synagogues. The tourism department has named Kerala as the Gods Own Country as many renown temples and holy places are situated here.

Mararikulam Shiva Temple is known as an age-old temple. This is assumed to be the only temple in Kerala where Lord Shiva and his associate Goddess Parvathi is seen sitting face to face. There are two idols of Shiva venerated in this temple, namely Vadakkanappan and Thekkanappan. The temple is also known as a place where the wishes become reality. It is believed that 700 years ago Villimanglam Swami constructed this beautiful temple.

How to reach the temple?

Mararikulam is linked by rail and has a railway station by its name. It is also well linked by road. NH 66 linked through S.L.Puram, which is 5 km to the east of Mararikulam. The nearby airport is Cochin International Airport (75 km). Sri (late). S. L Puram Sadanandan, Sri (late). Sports personalities like K Udayakumar, Jetty C Joseph (Long Jump) M.N.Kurup, past Indian volleyball team captain are from Mararikulam. Once you reach there, autos and cabs are available to reach the temple.

Things to do & see

Spectator the lovely architecture of this age-old temple and if you are a devotee, you can ask Lord Shiva to fulfil your wish. While spending the holidays in Kerala one can also experience the Ayurvedic Oil Massage and spend a day or two in the houseboat with having nothing to do other than watching Palm trees and relaxing at

1. Marari beach

2. Mararikulam beach

3. Marari Eden

4. Thumpolly beach

5. Alappuzha Beach

These are highly recommended tourist attractions in Mararikulam, which are great places to visit by anyone whether single, group, couple or family.

Houseboats – A Delight

Many tourists from around the globe visit Kerala to experience the beauty and the exotic look of the slow-moving, huge houseboats. The houseboats in Kerala is known as the Kettuvallam which means the boats with knots and the entire boat is held together with the coir knots, not even a single nail is used during the construction.

Other tourists attractions are

Velorvattom Mahadeva Temple

Maraikulam Mahadev Temple

Marai Ayurveda Panchakarma centre

Best Time to Visit

The festivals of Navratri, Shivratri, Ashtami Rohini and Thiruvathira are a suitable time to visit this temple.

There are many tourist places nearby the temple in Mararikulam, which can be explored by travellers. Native attractions can be visited at any time of the day, be it early morning, afternoon, evening or night, as appropriate for travellers. For exploring in Mararikulam approximately time taken for the visitor will be half a day or one day, however, to see all sightseeing places, tourist need to stay in Mararikulam for 2 days to 3 days.

Travellers can also visit Mararikulam to study about places to visit, have the option to browse through photos & pictures, explore Mararikulam using a map and read sightseeing analyses. This holy place can be visited in all the seasons like summer, monsoon or winter.

Main festival – Navaratri

The main festival is conducted for 10 Days which is related to Shivarathri. At the end of the festival, the Arattu (Sacred bathing of Idols) is done in the Western Sea. The most auspicious day is the Maha Shivarathri, devotees keep awake during the night till the Shivarathri pooja is done by lightening lamps and prayers.

Belief about the Temple- Mythology

The faith about the temple is that Mahadeva who is sad after the exodus of his wife Sathi Devi, lies in a stage of deep meditation and Parvathi sits here in Swayamvarabhava, wanting to get Mahadeva as her husband. Shiva, who is in cavernous sorrow after the loss of his wife, travels to the Himalayas and occupy himself in deep meditation.

Sathi Devi takes rebirth as Parvathi, the daughter of Himavan comes to Shiva daily and worshipped him. At this time, Tharakasura has over fearful Devendra from his kingdom and takes over the kingdom of Devalokam. They, therefore, engage Kamadeva to prompt romance in Shiva. Thus Kamadeva reaches Himalaya to persuade romance in Mahadeva and disturbed his meditation.

Mahadeva who after getting annoyed over Kamadeva, kills him by opening his third eye. It is believed that Mahadeva resides here in this bhava as MARARI and Devi reside in SWAYAMVARA PARVATHI, wishing to marry Mahadeva.

Both Idols are self-originated (Swayambhu), in Mahamuni's Ashramam.