Thrikkadavoor Sree Mahadeva Temple

Thrikkadavoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Thrikkadavoor, Kollam district, Kerala, India. Travancore Devaswom Board controls the temple.

Legend
It is one of the 108 Shiva Temples temples in Kerala with golden flag staff. Mrikanda and his wife Marudmati(Manasvini) worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. As a result, he was given the choice of either a gifted son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikandu rishi chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16.

Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he continued his worship of Shiva in his aniconic form of Shivalingam. The messengers of Yama, the god of death were unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Yama then came in person to take away Markandeya's life, and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck. By accident or fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived him, under the condition that the devout youth would live forever. For this act, Shiva was thereafter known also as Kalantaka. This was said to have happened in Thirukkadavoor also call Thrikkadavoor. Thus, Maha Mrityunjaya Stotra is also attributed to Markandeya, and this legend of Shiva conquering death is inscribed in metal and worshiped at Thirukkadavoor mahadeva temple.

Deities
The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva. Ayyappan, Ganesha, Brahmarakshasa, Yakshini, Nagaraja, Nagayakshini are the sub deities inside the temple. Sree Krishna is also worshipped in the temple at an outside Garbhagriha.

Festivals
The annual Srattu festival attracts thousands of people, including foreigners. The festival falls in the month of Kumbham (February/March). 10 days festival includes Thiruvathira Aaratu and, 101 Kudam Kalasam, Chathussatham are offering. The eight artificial horses, which represent the eight areas(karas) around the temple, is a special attraction. May be the world's only one Nedumkuthira (Eduppukuthira- men carrying vertical horse-chariot) procession through water witnessed by global tourists.

Thrikkadavoor Sivaraju
Thrikkadavoor Sivaraju is a male elephant owned by the temple and, the elephant was honored by Travancore Devaswom giving Gajarajarathna Award to him.