Aluva Mahadeva Temple
The temples of Kerala are known for their architectural beauty and patronage to art. While these factors are a big influence among both native people and tourists alike, another factor that makes temples beautiful are the festivals they celebrate. All temples across the length and breadth of the land will have a festival day or many days to say about. Aluva, one of the sprawling suburbs of Ernakulam is home to Mahadeva Temple that organises the famous Aluva Sivarathri Festival.
Celebrated in the banks of river Periyar, the festival venue is referred to as the Aluva Manappuram. The temple is located on the banks of the river and here is where pilgrims come to offer oblations to their ancestors, which is a ritual associated with the Sivarathri festival. This ritual is known as “Tharapanam”. This ritual is carried out on the morning after Sivarathri night. The Sivarathri night is one that of customary fasting and abstinence from sleep. The mantra of “Om Nama Sivaya” is chanted throughout the night. Hymns from vedas and other religious texts are sung. As a part of the festival the Manappuram will be filled with various shops that sell goods and merchandises. A host of cultural events also add grace to the festival.
