Thrikkadavoor Mahadeva Temple

Local tradition associates the temple with the story of Markandeya, the young sage whose devotion to Shiva is celebrated across Hindu mythology. According to the account preserved here, Markandeya was born to Sage Mrikandu and his wife after they received a boon from Shiva—they chose to have a son of exceptional intelligence destined to live only sixteen years rather than a long-lived fool. The boy grew into a devoted worshipper of Shiva, and on what would have been his final day, he sat in deep prayer before a Shiva idol. When Yamaraja, the god of death, sent his messenger to claim the boy's life, the divine presence of Shiva deterred the attempt. Yamaraja himself then intervened, casting a noose toward Markandeya's neck, but the noose fell instead upon the Shivalinga. This act enraged Shiva, who defeated Yamaraja in battle and granted Markandeya immortality. The temple's location is believed to be the site of this sacred encounter, and the village itself was once known as "kadavulinte ooru"—God's land—before being renamed Kadavoor, later Thrikkadavoor.

The Srattu Festival and Kettukazhcha

The temple's most significant observance is the annual Srattu festival, a ten-day celebration held during Kumbham (February–March). The festival draws large numbers of devotees and visitors from across regions and beyond. The opening day features a flag-hoisting ceremony that marks the festival's beginning, followed by days filled with spiritual discourses, cultural programs, and devotional singing. Classical art forms including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and dramatic performances take place throughout the festival period.

A distinctive feature of this celebration is the Kettukazhcha procession, in which artificial horses are constructed and carried in procession by devotees from the eight regions (karas) surrounding the temple. Remarkably, this procession takes place on the waters of the Ashtamudi backwater itself—a rare occurrence that draws international attention. The festival also includes the offering of 101 Kudam Kalasam (ritual vessels) and concludes with Thiruvathira Aaratu during the Thiruvathira star in Kumbham month. The temple maintains a male elephant named Sivaraju, who has been recognized with the Gajarajarathna Award by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Visiting Hours and Practical Information

The temple is open to visitors during two daily periods: morning darshan from 05:00 to 09:00, and evening darshan from 17:00 to 20:00. The best time to visit is during the Srattu festival in February–March, when the temple's full ceremonial life unfolds and the Kettukazhcha procession on water takes place. Visitors planning to attend the festival should arrive early, as large crowds gather during this period.

The temple is located at Ilamballur Road, Perinad, Trikadavoor, Kollam District, Kerala 691601. Temples dedicated to Shiva typically expect visitors to dress modestly and remove footwear before entering the inner sanctum. It is customary to circumambulate the shrine clockwise and to accept prasad (blessed offering) with the right hand. Photography policies vary; it is advisable to inquire at the temple entrance before photographing.

Getting There

Thrikkadavoor is situated in Kollam District in southern Kerala, accessible by road from major towns in the region. The Ashtamudi backwater location means the temple is embedded within Kerala's distinctive landscape of lagoons and waterways. Visitors traveling from Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram should plan their route via Kollam town. Local transportation options and accommodation are available in nearby areas, though specific details about facilities should be confirmed with local tourism resources or the temple administration.