Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple (medieval Thiruvanchaikkalam Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kodungallur in Thrissur district inside the South Indian kingdom of Kerala in India. Constructed inside the Kerala fashion of architecture, the temple is assumed to had been constructed at some stage in the Chera period within the 8th century. Shiva is worshipped as Mahadeva and his consort Parvathi as Umadevi. The presiding deity is respected in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written with the aid of Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and categorised as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find point out inside the canon.It is the simplest temple in Kerala inside the listing. As according to Periyapuranam, Sundara Murthi Nayanar,one of the four exceptional saints in Tamil Shivism ascended to heaven from this place. The temple is open from four am – 12 pm and four-8:30 pm on all days except all through competition days while it is open the entire day. 4 day by day rituals and 3 yearly fairs are held at the temple, of which the 10-day Vaikasipournami Brahmotsavam competition celebrated at some point of the month of Edavam (may also – June) in Malayalam calendar being the maximum outstanding. The temple is maintained and administered through the Thiruvanchikulam Devaswom below the Cochin Devaswom Board.

This is the only Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Kerala. Shiva is the family god of the Cochin Royal family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam) once they came to power following the decline of Chera Empire). The temple has superb mural artwork and is a included monument via the Archaeological Survey of India. The country wide anthem of erstwhile state of Travancore, Vanchi Bhumi refers to the deity of this temple, the professional deity of imperial Chera Empire from whom the former claim lineage. The temple has the oldest reference in records in Thevaram Hymns sung via Sundara Murthi Nayanar (also called Sundarar in Tamil), one of the four Saiva Acharyas. The pictures of Sundara Murthi Nayanar, and of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar can also be seen within the temple premises.

It is one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India, where Shiva is stated to live alongside with his whole own family.It changed into from here, Sundara Murthi Nayanar reached Kailash by using sitting on a white elephant, sent by means of Lord Shiva on Adi Swathi day (July/August). He was followed on horse lower back by Seraman Perumal Nayanar. On his way to Kailash, Sundara Murthi Nayanar sang a Padhigam which become despatched again to Thiruvanchikulam on his request. The temple is related to Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu. The capital town of the Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram, changed into constructed around the temple; it turned into blanketed with the aid of high fortifications on all facets and had large pathways and palaces. This temple become attacked and broken during Tipu Sultan’s invasion of Kerala; the copper roofing, gold and jewels have been looted. Tipu’s Muslim soldiers fled the temple complex best after the arrival of the Travancore navy of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. The temple become rebuilt via Paliath Achan of Kochi/Perumpadappu Swaroopam.

The temple is constructed in Kerala fashion of architecture with entrance towers in all 4 aspects. The sanctum occupies the centre portion of the temple, that is fortified. The sanctum is approached via a flagstaff, that’s axial to the entrance tower and the sanctum. The flagstaff has pictures of Asthavidyesavara. The presiding deity is in the shape of lingam. The picture of Narasimha is sculpted on the vimana. The photos of Sundarar and Ceramanperuman are maintained at Bhagavathi temple and brought to the temple for the duration of Svati festival all through July – August. There are two temple tanks inside the temple, located inside the 2nd precinct.