Madhur Madhanantheswara Siddivinayaka temple Kasargod.

Madhur temple is about 7 Kms from the town of Kasargod in Kannur  district of Kerala and is nestled in a small serene village and river Madhurvahini flows right in front of the temple.

An ancient place of worship, the presiding deity here is Lord Shiva, Madhananteshwara.

Though Shiva is the main deity, the temple is more famous for the Ganesha  known here as Madhur Siddhivinayaka,and has a separate niche  just outside the sanctum of Lord Shiva on the right side of the sanctum.

The temple structure is a three tired structure in grihaprishta style, meaning resembling the back of an elephant.

It is believed that a boy while playing drew a picture of Ganapati on the walls of sanctum and it started growing fatter and fatter. Later worship started to Ganesha.

This is one of the famous six temples of Ganesha in Tulunadu. Other five are Sharavo Maha Ganapathi, Annegude, Hattiangadi, Idagunji , Gokarna.( check trhe links for other ganesha temples I have visited)

Madhur  Ganapati here, loves sweet appams  and Appa seva is famous here.
Thousands of sweet appams are offered here during worship.

Sree Subramanya Swamy temple- Haripad , Allapuzha district,Kerala

 This is my first post on Lord Subramanya, the second son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and if one travels length and breadth of Tamil Nadu one would come across lot of temples dedicated to  Lord Subramanya also known as Muruga, Shanmugha, Vadivela, Andi  and by many more names . There are very few temples of Lord Subramanya in other States but recently I visited one in  Kerala, Haripad   situated on NH 47 and this is known as Dakshina Palani. This is one of  oldest temples in Kerala.

The temple is built in the ancient Kerala architecture and has marvellous wood carvings some of that is evident from the images depicted below. This temple is maintained beautifully , the serenity and cleanliness intact in spite of thousands of devotees visiting this temple. The temple is huge and has an imposing idol of Lord and this is believed to have been worshiped by Parasurama.

Peacock is Lord's mount and there are a couple of peacocks in temple which is a big attraction for  young old alike. This temple is about 1 1/2 hrs. from the Allapuza town.

Temple contact

Ph: 04792410690
Email:admin@haripadsubrahmanyaswamytemple.com

Siva temple- Aluva- Kerala

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.

Sreekanteshwaram temple, Trivandrum, Kerala

Sreekanteshwaram, is an ancient temple  right in the heart of the city.  This  is also very close to  Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple. The temple is quite  small, constructed in typical Kerala style and wood work here is artistically done  and visible in the images displayed below. This is visited by locals everyday.

Siva  is the main deity here and Lord Vishnu is also worshipped here.

The Sivalinga here, is believed to be a Swayambhu ( self manifestation) and there are sub shrines for Ganesha and Ayyapa.

Please check this link for more details. http://sreekanteswaramtemple.com/