Famous Temples - Siva Temple, Ernakulam

Th legendary story behind the Temple is from the pages of Mahabharata. Arjuna, th pandava takes severe penance to propitiate Siva. Sivai mmensely pleased with Arjuna's devotion starts from Kailas with Sri Parvaty to meet Arjuna. Siva wanted to impress Parvathi with the devotion Arjuna has for Siva. Siva takes the guise of "Kiratha" - a tribal hunter before reaching Arjuna. As he was nearing Arjuna, Siva saw a wild boar fast approaching Arjuna and shoots an arrow. Arjuna, a sharp shooter himself also shoots the Boar. The boar infact was a demon called Mookasura who got "moksham" after the shoot-outs. However, dispute arose between "kiratha" and Arjuna on the ownership of the killed animal. A battle cropped up betwn the two and ultimately Kiratha overpowers Arjuna. The desparate Arjuna unable to stand up makes a Siva Linga out of mud and started worshipping with the petals of flowers. Arjuna saw to his diamay that all the flowers are falling on the head of "Kiratha" and Arjuna had no hesitation to understand that Kiratha was Siva in disguise. Siva in his true form along with Sri Parvathi appears before Arjuna and bless him. Arjuna was given the "Pasupathasthram". Later a boy named "Devalan" victim of a curse and now Nagarshi, in search of redemption from the curse, gets the Siva Linga made by Arjuna and takes it with him. On reaching Rishanakulam, ancient name for Ernakulam, he thinks that this land is suitable for Shiva Prasada. He keeps the Siva Linga on the ground and offers poojas. The local people harass him and he decided to leave the place with the Siva Linga. Unable to lift the Siva Linga from the ground, he finds that the same is fixed to the ground. This Siva Lings is seen as Krishnamoorthy on the northern side of the temple. "Devalan" is redeemed from the curse. On his appeal, Siva with Parvathy appear here and exist in the form of Linga. This "Gorisankara roopam" is in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple which is "Swayambhoo Lingam". Thus the temple was built and the deity was installed. Devotees who worship here get rid of their sufferings and get "moksham".