Vennala Thykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple

Thykkattu Sri Mahadeva Temple, located at Vennala in Ernakulam district, is considered to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala.

Inscriptions found in the temple premises reveal the ancient history of the temple. The circular 'Sreekovil' of Lord Mahadevan is the crowning example of ancient temple architecture. The temple is more than 2000 years old and is now in the care of the Thykkattu Devaswom Trust in Vennala. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the form of a savage. Locals and devotees consider and worship the deity in the form of the serene and majestic Lord Shiva. The temple was renovated in 2017 and after the re-dedication and purification ceremony, it was decided to celebrate 'Shivratri' every year as an eight-day long festival and the practice continues to this day.

Traditionally, it is believed that the temple also has the presence of Lord Vishnu and Dharma Sastha (Ayyappan), who are worshiped in the temple. The Pandavas lived in a place called Hidumbavanam (this area is now known as Irumpanam) near Vennala after the burning of Arakkillam. It was in this area that Arjuna performed penance for Lord Mahadev in order to obtain the Pasupatastra. If the deadly weapon does not reach the hands of the deserving person, it will lead to the destruction of the world itself. Realising this, Mahadevan disguises himself as a forest dweller (kirathan) and arrives to test Arjuna. In this battle, Arjuna loses all his weapons except his bow, Gandheevam. In a fit of rage, Arjuna tries to strike Mahadeva with a bow, but is stopped by an anonymous person, who seizes his bow. Unarmed, Arjuna realises that it is no savage standing in front of him but God himself and falls at his feet. Satisfied with Arjuna, Mahadevan appears in the form of Vishwaroopam and grants him the gift of Pashupata astra.