Ernakulathappan Temple, Kochi

About Ernakulathappan Temple

The Ernakulam Shiva Temple, also known as the Ernakulathappan Temple is located in the heart of Kerala India. According to local Hindu religions and traditions the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with the presiding deity being the protector of the city.

The temple was constructed in the year 1846 under the active patronage of Dewan Sri Edakkunni Shankara Warrier and was given the status of a royal temple in the Kingdom of Kochi.The legend of the temple is deeply linked to the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Architecture of Ernakulathappan Temple

The entire temple is situated in 1.2-acres (4,900 m2) of land. The temple is built in typical Kerala temple architecture. The sanctum sanctorum is circular, with finely sculpted walls, the roof covered with copper tiles. The temple has two gates, the western gopuram is a two-storey structure typical of Kerala architecture with sloping ceilings and slanted windows.

Interesting facts about Ernakulathappan Temple

1. The history of the temple is closely related to the history of the city and was one of the 7 royal temples of the Kochi Maharajas. The temple is now under the administration of the Cochin Devasom Board.
2. This temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala, which is counted along with Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kaduthruthi Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and Vadakkunnathan Temple.
3. The Cheranallur Kartha family of South Chittor was the founder of the Ernakulam Shiva temple. According to Devprasana, this temple is related to Vaishnavism. Jadavedan was the owner of Nampoothiri Ernakulam Shiva Temple and Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. He was a member of the Cheranallur Kartha family.
4. The legend of the temple is deeply linked to the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Arjuna, the third Pandava, did severe penance to please Lord Shiva.

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