कैलास राणा शिव चंद्रमौळी | 
शिव स्तुती मराठी | 
तुजवीण शंभो मज कोण तारी

March 12th 2022 – it was conclusion of the Utsava in the legendary and ancient Devalaya Kuttumuck Shri Mahadeva Kshetram in Thrissur. The Utsava that began on 3rd March (Poorvabhadra Nakshatra, called Pooruruttati in Malayalam) of Kumbha Maasa (month) and concluded on the Arudra Nakshatra (Thiruvathira Nakshatram in Malayalam) with the traditional Aaraattu (bathing of the Deity’s Vigraha in the temple pushkarni or river associated with the Devalaya.

Gratitude – first up

This temple holds a special place in my heart as this was the place we came to rest enroute for a a few hours, during my 1st Pilgrimage to Shabarimala as a 8 year old boy. We brothers had severe motion sickness and were totally dehydrated and a dip in Kadampuzha Bhagavathi Temple Pushkarni did a world of good, freshening up and a localite suggested visiting and praying in this temple in Thrissur too enroute. May Bhagawan Shiva bless this noble localite for ushering us towards this amazing temple (which was not as developed as you in the pictures shared in this article. Waiting for his call to pray here again and wish it happens very soon.

The Temple

The current temple structure built in Kerala Architecture style (very different from with other architectural styles in the rest of India) is believed to be more than 300 years old and the Vigraha which is much older, is believed to have been consecrated by Maharshi Khara.

The Vigraha or the Murti (Idol) – The Legend

Mahadeva Shiva is consecrated in the fierce and highly powerful Kiratha form (Hunter form) in this Kshetra. After the Khandava Yuddha (battle), Indra offers all his weapons as a gift to Arjuna for defeating him in battle, the only condition being that Bhagawan Shiva is pleased. Arjuna seeks Bhagawan Shri Krishna’s advice, who asks him to go on tapasya (penance) to please Shiva and attain divine weapons. Arjuna left his brothers for a penance, gets a deeksha mantra from Maharshi Vedavyasa and begins his penance.

Duryodhana upon learning this, sends Mukasura, who takes the form of a wild boar to kill Arjuna and for his Vrata Bhanga (breach of the penance and vows). Bhagawan Shiva as He always does appears in the form of a Hunter accompanied by 4 dogs (4 Vedas) to protect Arjuna. Arjuna shoots and arrow and kills the boar – at the same instant the Hunter also shoots the arrow. There arises a dispute between hunter and Arjuna as to whose arrow downed the boar. They end up in a fierce fight which bow/arrow, then with sword, and then wrestling. Each time brave Arjuna despite being severely injured gets upto fight again. Finally, Arjuna realised that the hunter was Lord Shiva Himself and sought his pardon. Bhagawan Shiva and Maa Parvati thereafter appear in their original form and blessed Arjuna with their darshan and grants the Pashupatastra. The battle between Kiratha and Arjuna is described well in the text, Kiraataarjuneeya.

Upon request of Arjuna and other locals, Bhagawan Shiva continues to be here in the Kiratha form and the Shiva Linga in this temple is quite big (told it was more than 4 feet tall)

The legend also has it that Tippu Sultan, the tyrant King of Mysuru attacked the temple to loot all the riches. None of the locals were prepared for this surprise attack and when they were almost at the temple, suddenly a swarm of wasps emerged and attacked the army, making them beat a hasty retreat.

The main offering in this temple is the Sahasra Kalasha Dhaara (1000 Pot water Abhisheka) to the Shiva Linga.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् |
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ||

Sharing Videos of the 2022 Utsavam

Update – Sharing Videos of Utsavam 2023