I felt blessed and surprised at the same time as I landed on the sands of Aluva manappuram at Siva temple, just 2 days ahead of Mahasivarathri which was celebrated a few days back. Mahasivarathri is celebrated here on a grand scale and Sivarathri fair goes about for a month.
This temple is situated right inside the river Periyar in Kerala. One can have a glimpse of this temple while travelling by train on Aluva bridge during summer and just roof of the temple in monsoon as it gets submerged. Though I refer to this as a temple there is no shrine as such where Lord Shiva is seated. Only temporary shelter is erected during the festival here.
During the monsoons Sivalinga remains submerged in water and once the monsoon recedes the temple gets accessible as an island emerges; the Aluva manappuram.
Elaborate arrangements are made just before Sivarathri and make shift bridges are also made connecting the land and temple grounds for easy movement of pilgrims.
There are shady Peepul trees outside the temple and the surroundings are clean and neat. I also had the opportunity to feel the cool clear water of river Periyar.
the following Link has pictures how the temple appears during and after monsoons..
Here are a few of my captures. As it was an unplanned trip all are mobile uploads.
Aluva is well connected with rail, road and air. this temple is very close to Nedumbassery international airport
I am about to start yet another pilgrimage and would be away for a few weeks. See you all soon.
Will be visiting Varanasi, Allhabad, Mathura..etc. Will post once I am back.
This temple is situated right inside the river Periyar in Kerala. One can have a glimpse of this temple while travelling by train on Aluva bridge during summer and just roof of the temple in monsoon as it gets submerged. Though I refer to this as a temple there is no shrine as such where Lord Shiva is seated. Only temporary shelter is erected during the festival here.
During the monsoons Sivalinga remains submerged in water and once the monsoon recedes the temple gets accessible as an island emerges; the Aluva manappuram.
Elaborate arrangements are made just before Sivarathri and make shift bridges are also made connecting the land and temple grounds for easy movement of pilgrims.
There are shady Peepul trees outside the temple and the surroundings are clean and neat. I also had the opportunity to feel the cool clear water of river Periyar.
the following Link has pictures how the temple appears during and after monsoons..
Here are a few of my captures. As it was an unplanned trip all are mobile uploads.
Aluva is well connected with rail, road and air. this temple is very close to Nedumbassery international airport
I am about to start yet another pilgrimage and would be away for a few weeks. See you all soon.
Will be visiting Varanasi, Allhabad, Mathura..etc. Will post once I am back.
18 comments:
My native place is very close near Thrissur yet I never knew that there is no lingam in the Garbha Griha. I knew that the Shivaratri is celebrated in a grand scale there. You are lucky to be there at this juncture.
PNS, there is Sivalingam , but no shrine.
The sundown at the sight of the temple must be amazing! Have a lovely weekend Chitra!
Thanks for sharing these photo and info in this temple. Nandi is very majestic.
thanks Martina, Sunset there was wonderful/You too enjoy your weekend.
thanks SG
I'm totally intrigued and amazed by the thought of Sivalinga being submerged during the monsoon season.
It reminds me of Lindisfarne (aka Holy Island) which can only be reached during certain times of the day when the tide is out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne
Thanks for the share PW, will read and find out.
When it is submerged in water for a long time in the year,it is surprising the roof and the temple all remain intact after the water recedes.May be the temple would be needing a lot of cleaning.First of the kind I hear.
Have a happy and enjoyable pilgrimage and post about the places one by one.Take a good camera with you.
KP. the temples needs a lot of cleaning. The links show some pics how it appears during monsoon.
thx for the good wishes. I would take the camera but heard it is not allowed in many places..I am going to visit.
sunset looks lovely. I haven't been to many pilgrim sites in India. Thanks for sharing this.
Wow! The shiva lingam remains submerged throughout monsoon. Thats very interesting. Thanks for sharing Chitra ma'am. Didnt know about this temple. And happy pilgrimage. Varanasi, Allahabad, Mathura...um awesome places. Looking forward to your posts on these places and your experiences.
Thanks a lot Rajalakshmi. happy to see you here.
Thanks Bindu..Hope to have a good trip.
beautifully captured sunset
yahooooo nice to be here tho aftr a long time..thanks chitraji for staying connected and the wishes...now am back in sharjah..and will stay connected...best always:) to u:)
Beautiful Chitra..!
Great images from the Siva Temple at Alwaye. Wishing you a wonderful and comfortable pilgrimage ! Best Wishes.
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