ഏറ്റുമാനൂർ മഹാദേവക്ഷേത്രം
Shiva (Ettumanoorappan) temple · Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple to Shiva at Ettumanoor in Kottayam district, Kerala. It is best known for the Ezhara Ponnana — seven and a half golden elephants — displayed to devotees during the temple's annual festival.
Faith & Tradition
According to the temple, the name Ettumanoor comes from the belief that Shiva appeared here in eight ('ettu') different forms. Kerala Tourism records the tradition that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa worshipped at the temple.
Heritage
The Ezhara Ponnana are statuettes carved from jackfruit wood and covered with about 13 kg of gold plate, Kerala Tourism notes. According to an account reported by The Hindu, Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore pledged the golden elephants, but the offering was made in the reign of his successor, Maharaja Karthika Thirunal.
Plan Your Visit
Confirm festival dates and darshan arrangements with the temple administration before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
The display of the seven and a half golden elephants on the eighth day of the festival is its high point, according to The Hindu.
Location
The temple is at Ettumanoor in Kottayam district, Kerala.
Location: Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India 686631
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Shiva (Ettumanoorappan) temples
Questions
At Ettumanoor in Kottayam district, Kerala.
Seven and a half golden elephants — jackfruit-wood figures covered with about 13 kg of gold — shown to devotees during the festival.
On the eighth day of the temple's annual festival, according to The Hindu.
According to one account, Marthanda Varma pledged them and the offering was made during Karthika Thirunal's reign.
According to the temple, Shiva appeared here in eight ('ettu') forms.
Further reading: Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
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