CHENGANNUR MAHADEVA TEMPLE

CHENGANNUR MAHADEVA TEMPLE

Chengannur is in the Alappuzha district, Kerala in South India. Chengannur is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is a major railway hub between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam.  Chengannur is noted for Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and its Old Syrian Church. Chengannur is also a major destination of Sabarimala pilgrims known as the Gateway of Sabarimala.

The nearest towns are Pandalam to the south, Thiruvalla to the north, Mavelikkara to the west and Aranmula, Kozhencherry and Pathanamthitta to the east. The taluk contains villages such as Kurattissery, Mannar, Ennakkad, Pandanad, Thiruvanvandoor, Chengannur, Mulakuzha, Ala, Puliyoor, Cheriyanad, and Venmony.

Chengannur means land (Ur) of the red (Chenga) soil. This soil is different from the soil of surrounding Kuttanad, hence the name "Chengannur". In early modern period, Chengannur was a part of Kayamkulam dynasty and which is later came under Travancore kings when Kayamkulam was ceded by Marthandavarma in 18th Century.

The place where the Chengannur temple is situated was said to be under the control of Vanghipuzha Thampuran. This place was leased to one Nayanaru Pillai. One day while the maid servant (Kurathi) of Nayanaru Pillai was working in this place, she saw blood coming from a stone on which she was sharpening her weapon. This fact was reported to Nayanaru Pillai and Vanghipuzha Thampuran.

The Thampuran in consultation with Thazhaman Potty and other veteran Brahmins decided to construct a temple there. Based on the plan of Perunthachan, a famous and respected Thachan (carpenter), the temple except the kuthambalam was constructed. Though the temple was constructed in accordance with the plan of Perunthachan, the kuthambalam could not be constructed by any of them. The whole kuthambalam was constructed under the guidance of Perunthachan. The structure of the Kuthambalam originally constructed by Perunthachan was in such a manner that the shadow of the performer would not fall on the stage if all the lamps were lit on each of the post of the kuthambalam.

On completion of the construction of temple and kuthambalam the Thampuran requested Perunthachan to make an idol of Devi. He pointed out a place and asked the workers to dig that place. On digging an idol of Parvathi Devi was found and this idol has investiture at the nearest auspicious occasion. After some years Perunthachan visited the place again and informed Thazhaman Potty that the temple would be destroyed in fire in due course and Idol of Devi would be destroyed. He also gave an Idol of Devi made up of an alloy of five metals (Panchaloham) and asked him to keep a record of what he said. The Potty did accordingly. After some years the prediction of Perunthachan becomes true.

The temple was renovated after the fire and Devi's Idol had been taken from the river with the help of some fishermen (Arayas) of Karunagappalli, as recorded in the Grandha written by Thazhaman Potty. As a mark of joy thampuran gave fruits and tender coconuts to those arayas at the temple. This happened on a Shivarathri and now also this day is celebrated with the same tradition.

Tiruchenkunroor is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur region of Kerala, connected with Mahabharat. Nammalwar describes Chenkunrur as a town where the smoke emanating from the Vedic ritual yagnas fills the sky and as a place surrounded by rich lush vegetation. (bananas and coconuts). Legend has it that Yuddhishtra offered prayers to Vishnu, seeking pardon for his act on the battlefield, where he uttered the words `Ashwattaama hatah kunjaraha` in an attempt to deceive Drona and lead him into a defenceless state where Arjuna brought Drona`s life to an end.