Special cover on Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple
Shri Thirnakkara Mahadevar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the heart of Kottayam city and was built 800 years ago during the monarchy of Thekungur Kings. It is one of the 108 revered Shivalayas in central Kerala. A common belief is that the idol of Shiva here is installed by sage Parashurama himself. The Thekkukkoor royal family considered the idol as their paradevatha (tutelary deity) in the form of “Thirunakkara thevar.
The temple was built according to the Tachushastram. The sanctum sanctorum inside the nallukettu is surrounded by a sprawling courtyard which houses Upadevathas, Kuthambalams and other ancillary shrines. The temple is an architectural marvel. All four sides of the Kuthambalams are symmetrical and one can see the epics of Ramayana carved on the wooden panels. The temple has a number of murals depicting the stories of Shiva and Dashavathara.
The whole temple complex occupies about 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land which is rich in many trees and plants.
The temple has four identical gopurams at the four entrances of the temple. There is a banyan tree on steps which is considered sacred by the devotees. The Aanakottil (Elephant stable) and Kodimaram (Flag Post) is placed close to the eastern entrance. The Kodimaram built in 1960 is only 42 feet long. To the side of Kodimaram lies the Balikkalpuras. Like that in Guruvayoor temple, one could clearly see the idol of chief deity from the main entrance itself.
The temple has shrines for various sub deities in different locations. The southeast entrance constitutes of the shrines of lord Ayyappa and Ganesha. Naga pratishtas are also close to these shrines. In the northwest section, there is a Chethi (Jungle flame) flower groove, commonly seen in many Hindu shrines across Kerala. The eastern section includes the shrines of lord Subhramaniya and Durga and the northeast section has the installation of Brahmarakshas which is according to the myths the soul of a priest assassinated inside the temple.
The Special released on the occasion of Kottayampex 2016 on 04th October 2016, carries a colour image of the temple complex along with a carving on the top. The Special Pictorial Cancellation is a line graphic sketch of the temple logo within two concentric circles with Kottayampex 2016 within the concentric circle. (KL/19/2016)
