Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple

Vazhappally Sree Mahadeva Temple. Believed to be constructed in the 1st Chera King Dynasty. According to the legend, Kerala is the land gifted by Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. The installation of the idol of the Lord Mahadeva was performed by Lord Parasurama himself. This magnificent temple is one among the 108 Siva Temple established by Lord Parasurama. Lord Maha Vishnu was incarnated as Parasurama in the Thretha-Yuga. The exact period of installation of this temple is not known.
Vazhappally temple is historically important and contains some lithic records of the reign of Rajasekhara Varma Kulasekhara (820-844AD) besides some fine seventeenth century wood carvings (Daarusilpas) depicting figurines from epics. The Vattezhuttu inscription on the northern part of the base of the cultural shrine indicates that the repairs were completed in Kollam era 840 (AD 1665). It is an ancient Grama Kshethra also known as “Dakshina Kailasam”
In ancient period, this temple had 54,000 para paddy fields (Nilam). The soldiers of Chempakassery Raja killed one Unni of Changazhimuttom family of Kuttanadu who has gone there to measure the “Patta Nelu” of Devaswom at Venattukara field. He is installed as a Bhramma Rakshas in this temple. In order to satisfy the Bhrahmma Rakshas, “Kazhumaram” is being made in front of the Rakshas Shrine and the Prathiroopam of Chempakassery Raja is hanged. The Raja gave the pooja items for Pantheeradi to the temple as a mark of his repentance for killing Unni. The Raja has appointed the members of Thiruvenkitapuram Warriam as the heir of “Pantheeradi Choru”.

Utsavabali performing in Annual Festival

The idol of the vazhappally temple is centuries old and is considered as the Siva of Neelamperoor temple. The legend behind this concept is that CheraRajaPallibana Perummal, a follower of Budha, when de-throwned by the “Hindu Bhattas” following a defeat in argument, reached Neelamperoor. The news came to the ears of the potties of pathillams (Chengazhimuttam, Kainikkara, Eravimangalam, Kunnithidasserry, Athrasserry,Kolencherry, Kizhangazhuthu, Kannancherry,Thalavana etc.),that perumal is going to install his personal idol at Neelamperoor. Pathillathil Pottimars run with the idol Shiva of Neelamperoor and installed that idol at Vazhappally.

Famous Places - Photos

Changanacherry Town

NSS Hindu College

S.B.College

Anju Vilakku

ArchBishop's House

Vazhappalli Temple

Anandasramam

S.B.College

St. Berchmans College is situated in the Municipal town of Changanassery, 20 Km to the south of Kottayam in Central Kerala. This institution was founded in 1922 by Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, Bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Changanassery. It is now affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala and has been reaccredited by NAAC at A+ level. It has been recognised by the UGC as a college with Potential for Excellence.Now it is recognized as a Partner Institute of IGNOU; Opened a Gandhian Study Centre.

     The college, which has its glorious existence since 1922, won the 'R Shankar Award', instituted by the State government for the best First Grade college in Kerala consecutively for two years - 1995-96, and 1996-97. The students of St Berchmans college regularly occupy top positions in the University examinations.

     The college enjoys the wholehearted support of the public and the alumini in different parts of the world. Our Alumini Association has chapters in different parts of India, and in various foreign countries like the United States, Germany, Austria, Kuwait, Quatar, Doha and the UAE.

     The College is gearing itself up to meet the challenges of the future and this involves enormous investment of resources. The College management has envisioned a comprehensive plan for further development.

Photos of Chandanakkudam on 26th December 2011

Kavil Bhagavathy Temple

This was the sacred temple where the ancestral deity of the Thekkumkoor Royal Family was worshipped. It is situated at Puzhavathu and is managed by the Travancore Devasom Board.

 The kavil bhagavathy temple is located at puzhavathu, changanacherry ,about 1.5km from the town and close to the revenue tower.this temple is well known for the festive ceremony of chandana kudam.chandana kudam is one of the most important and ancestral ceremony in changanacherry and has been conducted for many generations now.This is seen during the temple chirappu at dec-jan.

It was Udaya Marthanda Varama who built the Kavil Temple near the palace. He divided same land for the worship buildings of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. He wished to hear the different religious prayers at the same time from the same place. According to the guidance and construction of Udaya Marthanda Varma, the famous Chandanakkundam (pot made up of Sandal wood) celebrations began.


During the reign of Tekkumcore kings, the temple called Kavil Ambalam or Sree Bhagavathy Temple (Puzhavath) was built. This is near the Munsif Court of Changanacherry that stands very close to the Old Muslim Mosque here. Bhadra Kali is the goddess of this temple. An Auditorium and a 'Kalyana Mandapam' (a special building for weddings) are associated with this temple. This temple welcomes the procession of the "Chandanakudam" celebration that starts from the Mosque at Puthoor.


On every Christmas evening the 25th of December, the procession with Chandanakkundam starts from, Jumma Masjid. The decorated elephants carry the young men with the sacred pots. It is the Kavil Temple that gives the first welcome to this procession. This procession, after receiving warm welcomes in various places by the people from different spheres of life, reaches the Puthoor Mosque by the morning of the 27th December.