Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal
Shiva with Parvathi temple · Chenkal (near Neyyattinkara), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
The Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple is a temple of Shiva and Parvathi at Chenkal, near Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala (Chenkal Grama Panchayat; Onmanorama). Its presiding images are Shiva with Parvathi, cast in panchaloha, the five-metal alloy (Kerala Tourism). The temple is best known for a 111.2-foot Sivalingam that visitors can walk inside (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal
The India Book of Records has recognised the Chenkal Sivalingam as the tallest in India (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat). The Chenkal Grama Panchayat describes it as surpassing the 108-foot Sivalinga of the Kotilingeswara temple at Kolar in Karnataka (Chenkal Grama Panchayat).
Ganesha and Kartikeya have their own shrines, so the whole family of Shiva is worshipped at the temple (Kerala Tourism). Replicas of the twelve Jyotirlingas stand around the inner enclosure, and the Ganesha shrine holds thirty-two forms of the god (Kerala Tourism).
Heritage
History of Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal
The sources consulted give no founding date for the temple. Kerala Tourism credits its present form to the spiritual vision of Swamy Maheswarananda Saraswathy, under whom the temple was renewed and expanded (Kerala Tourism). He heads the temple and its mutt, and he designed the giant Sivalingam after visiting major Shiva temples across India (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Work on the Sivalingam began in 2012, and the finished structure stands 111.2 feet tall (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is built mainly of black stone (krishnashila) and wood in the traditional Kerala style, following vastu principles (Chenkal Grama Panchayat; Kerala Tourism). The panchayat notes a carving of the zodiac at the entrance to the sreekovil (Chenkal Grama Panchayat).
Inside the Sivalingam, eight floors are arranged one above the other, and the path to the top is meant to feel like walking through a cave (Chenkal Grama Panchayat; ETV Bharat). The way up passes meditation halls linked to the six chakras, along with murals and sculptures (Kerala Tourism; ETV Bharat). The top floor shows Kailasam, the abode of Shiva, with images of the snow-covered Himalayas and of Shiva and Parvathi (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat). A statue of Hanuman carrying the Maruthwamala hill stands beside the Sivalingam (Kerala Tourism).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Chenkal Grama Panchayat says that a ticket is needed to enter the Sivalingam, that photography is not allowed inside, and that phones, bags and other belongings must be left in the cloakroom (Chenkal Grama Panchayat). Confirm current arrangements, including ticket charges and timings, with the temple administration before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Temple mutt headed by Swamy Maheswarananda Saraswathy (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal
Sivaratri
Kerala Tourism lists Sivaratri among the main festivals of this Shiva-Parvathi temple (Kerala Tourism).
Vishu
Kerala Tourism lists Vishu among the festivals celebrated at the temple (Kerala Tourism).
Ganesha Chaturthi
Kerala Tourism lists Ganesha Chaturthi among the temple's festivals; the temple's Ganesha shrine holds thirty-two forms of the god (Kerala Tourism).
Location
How to Reach Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal
The temple is at Chenkal near Neyyattinkara, in the Thiruvananthapuram area (Onmanorama; Chenkal Grama Panchayat). Kerala Tourism says it is easy to reach by road from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala Tourism). The sources consulted do not give official distances or name the nearest railway station or airport, so check the route locally before travelling.
Location: Chenkal (near Neyyattinkara), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India 695132
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Shiva with Parvathi temples · Temples in Chenkal (Part) · Temples in Neyyattinkara Taluk · Temples in Thiruvananthapuram District
Questions
Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple, Chenkal: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at the Maheswaram temple in Chenkal?
The presiding images are Shiva with Parvathi, cast in panchaloha (Kerala Tourism). Ganesha and Kartikeya have their own shrines (Kerala Tourism).
How tall is the Chenkal Sivalingam?
It is 111.2 feet tall (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat; Kerala Tourism). The India Book of Records has recognised it as the tallest Sivalingam in India (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Can visitors go inside the Sivalingam?
Yes, it is a walk-in structure with eight floors inside (Kerala Tourism; Chenkal Grama Panchayat; ETV Bharat). A ticket is needed, and photography is not allowed inside (Chenkal Grama Panchayat).
What is on the top floor of the Sivalingam?
The top floor shows Kailasam, the abode of Shiva, with images of the Himalayas and of Shiva and Parvathi (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Who built the giant Sivalingam?
It was designed by Swamy Maheswarananda Saraswathy, head of the temple's mutt, and work began in 2012 (Onmanorama; ETV Bharat).
Where is the temple located?
It is at Chenkal, near Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala (Onmanorama; Chenkal Grama Panchayat).
Which festivals are celebrated at the temple?
Kerala Tourism lists Sivaratri, Vishu and Ganesha Chaturthi as its festivals (Kerala Tourism).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Kerala Tourism — Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple
- Chenkal Grama Panchayat — Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple
- Onmanorama — Here's the tallest Shivalingam in the country
- ETV Bharat — India's tallest Shivalingam unveiled at Thiruvananthapuram
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