Aluva Manappuram Mahadeva Temple

Incredible India, the Ministry of Tourism's site, records several legends about the shrine. One says that Parasurama consecrated the linga and built a temple, but floods repeatedly destroyed it, until Shiva declared that no permanent structure should stand over the linga. Another tells that Shiva's attendants tried to build a temple in a single night, but Vishnu, disguised as a rooster, crowed early, and the work was abandoned, leaving the linga open to the sky. Wikipedia similarly records the folk belief that Parasurama installed the idol and counts the temple among the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala.

Aluva is especially associated with rites for ancestors. According to Incredible India, Rama is believed to have performed bali tarpanam here for the bird Jatayu while searching for Sita, and the saint Vilwamangalam is believed to have rediscovered the linga in a vision. Families come to the riverbank on Sivaratri, and in large numbers again on Karkidaka Vavu, the new-moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, to make offerings for their forebears.

Sivaratri brings very large crowds, traffic restrictions in Aluva town and heavy police deployment; the Travancore Devaswom Board charges a fee for bali tarpanam, which changes from year to year. The sandbank floods in the monsoon, so access can be cut off. Confirm current timings, ritual arrangements and access with the Travancore Devaswom Board or local authorities before you travel.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Travancore Devaswom Board before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.