Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

According to legend, an Asura called Khara got three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva himself. He took them with him to Kerala, holding one by his teeth and one each in his right and left hand. While the Lingam held by his teeth was consecrated in Kaduthuruthi, the one held in his right hand was consecrated in Vaikom ( Vaikom Mahadeva Temple) and the one held in his left hand was consecrated in Ettumanoor. After consecrating all these 3 divine places in the same day, Khara is believed to have become a deer and started worshiping the Gods. It is believed that the God in Ettumanoor took the deer in his hand and held it there. Because of that, this place was called Udhruthaina Puram, which means Ettumanoor in Malayalam (The place where the deer was lifted). According to the Sthala purana of this temple, Sree Parameshwara created a deer (‘Harina’) and made an island in the sea (‘Harinadweep’) for it to dwell. When Parasurama created Kerala from the sea, the island of Harinadweep also became part of the newly created land. It is later known as Harinapura.

As per myths, Saint Kharasura had a pupil named Pingala. Pingala was poor and hence after completion of his education, the saint did not ask for anything from him. Pingala persuaded the saint to ask for something. Kharasura was angry and asked for 180 billion gold pieces from his disciple. Pingala was distressed and the compassionate saint thought of helping him out. Both of them travelled to Harinadweep and worshipped Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. When Lord Vishnu appeared Pingala asked for the 180 billion pieces of gold and offered the same to Kharasura. After that Lord Shiva appeared and Kharasura used all the gold to worship the Lord. Pleased with his worship, Lord Shiva offered the same amount of gold to the saint. The saint then used the gold to worship Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva reappeared and gifted three Shiva Lingas to Kharasura. One of these Shiva Lingas stayed buried at Harinapura. After thousands of years, a woman hit the Linga while digging for edible roots and the Shiva Linga began to bleed. Lord Shiva appeared angry in front of the lady and turned her into a stone. The Shiva Linga was brought at Ettumanoor and the Mahadeva Temple was formed.