Ettumanur temple is also very old and famous and is always thronged by devotees. Like Vaikathappan, Siva here is known as Ettumanurappan. This temple is at a distance of about 15 Kms. from Vaikom. This Siva temple was built in 16 th century. The conical tower above the sanctum is copper plated and looks stunning. This temple has exquisite mural paintings from Ramayana, Bhagavatha and Siva's cosmic dance. The deity here faces the West.
The dwajasthambha is very tall and gold plated. It is a real visual treat to watch this gleaming dwaja with a Nandi atop and small bells hanging below. There is metal lamp called Valiavilakku inside the temple and pilgrims keep offering oil and this lamp is kept burning through out day and night. It is believed that Siva himself lighted this lamp first. The soot from the lamp is believed to cure eye problems.
Offering Tulabharam is famous here. By Tulabharam, it means a devotee offering his worship, would contribute equivalent of his or her weight of banana/ sugar/ jaggery/ coins/ gold/ flowers etc.what ever they can afford in fulfillment of their wishes granted by the Lord.
There are other shrines dedicated to Bhagavathi, Ganapathy, Dharmasastha, Dakshinamoorthy and Yakshi. There is no idol for Parvathy here but still she is worshipped here on the Eastern side. The Ezharara Ponnana ,the golden elephants and golden umbrella are a great attraction which is unique to this temple and it is used on the last day of the annual festival here. During the festival days ,all four sides of the temple would be lit with thousands of oil lamps which is a very attractive sight to watch.
There is a Krishna's temple just outside the Siva temple facing east, also believed to have been installed by Khara the demon who brought the other Sivalingas of Vaikom, and Kaduthiruthy temples. Here Mahadeva(Siva) gives darshan to his devotees in three bhavas one as Aghora Moorthi, then as Santha swaroopi and third as Uma Maheshwaran.
How to reach
The temple is on Kochi -Kottayam highway. It is about 50 Kms. from Kochi and 12 kms. from Kottayam.
Accomodation - Very good hotels are available in Kottayam town.
Photos:
1 Entrance of temple -view from highway, 2. Nataraja 3. Mandapam in front of the temple 4West Gopuram. 5. Side view of the Gopuram.6. The main temple 7. Lamps on the side walls which are lit during festival.8 &;9 Dwajasthambha 10. Krishana temple outside.11. Lamps on the walls of the temple
