Category:Iranikulam Mahadeva temple

Iranikulam Mahadeva Temple 

Chera-era historic Hindu temples complex in Kerala
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Instance of	Hindu temple (Shiva)
Location	Thrissur district, Kerala, India
10° 12′ 16.61″ N, 76° 16′ 33.65″ E
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The Mahadeva temple of Iranikulam is a Hindu temples complex with many shrines built in different centuries. The oldest layer is likely pre-10th century based on inscriptions found in Iranikulam village (also spelled Airanikulam, named after the elephant vahana of Indra). The largest shrines are dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, with the Shiva shrine notable for being one of the largest circular plan Hindu temples in India that follows Sanskrit manuscripts on temple architecture. The Parvati temple is the younger shrine of the two, it has a square plan that also follows design principles laid out in Sanskrit manuscripts. The circular Mahadeva temple is also called the Thekkedathappan temple, while the square Parvati (Bhagavathy) temple is alternatively called as the Vadakkedathappan temple. Other shrines at the Iranikulam Hindu temples complex include those for Ganapathy, Shastha and Mahavishnu.

The sandhara-type dvitala circular shrine faces east, stands on a granite jagati and adhisthanam. It includes a namaskaram mandapam, a chuttambalam, a vilakkumadam, a mukhamandapam, an antaralam and a garbha-griyam. The square shrine for Parvati in Bhadrakali form is to the north of the Shiva temple, it is also a sandhara-type dvitala that faces east. The architectural elements of the Parvati temple parallel those for the circular Shiva temple, but the temple dedicated to her are based on the square plan principles of Hindu architecture. The temples complex also includes a pilgrim kitchen, a well and a temple water tank. The Shiva linga is svayambhu type, and local legends attribute it to Vishnu avatar Parasurama. This historic site now covers about 4.5 acre area, but prior to the Kerala government taking over the temple lands the temple complex included over 225 acres of land.

The temple shows signs of natural erosion as well as deliberate vandalism during colonial era wars. The temple observes an annual utsavam (festival) dedicated to goddess Parvati in the Dhanu month (December–January).