Ettumanoor
District: Kottayam Spellings: Ettumanur
Ettumanoor is a somewhat developed town and a connecting link of Western Ghats to Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala.
Outskirts of the town is an agri-based , producing mainly plantation crops.
The inhabitants mostly are Christians and Hindus. Thin layer of Mulisms is also there.
The landmark of the village is a shrine called Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. The temple has no starvation in legends.
One: Khana (one among Khana Dhooshana demon duo) of Ramayana fame worshipped Lord Shiva at the place called Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. Shiva appeared and delivered him three Shivalingams. He then traveled down to Kerala holding one in the mouth and one in each hand in search of suitable places for their installation. He reached Vaikom and rested there, keeping the idols on the ground. After some time he stood up for continuing the journey. He lifted two Lingams but could not lift the third as it was firmed to the ground where a temple came up later.
He continued the journey with the remaining two Lingams and installed and sheltered one at Ettumanoor and another at Kadathuruthy. Visiting this triad shrines in a single day is considered most auspicious and Lord-pleasing.
Two: Khana installed an idol of Krishna in the north-west corner of this temple.
Three: Shiva created a deer and let it play in an island. When Parasurama created Kerala from the sea the island formed part of it. The place Ettumanoor in Malayalam means the descended place of deer.
Four: This ancient shrine was in shamble due to the curze of Lomaharsha Rishi (sage), a disciple of Vyasa, an eminent sage, and it was restored to form and glory by Vilwamangalam Swamy who was gifted with the power of reading the minds of gods.
The circular shaped sanctum sanctorum is copper-sheet roofed and the Mukhamandapam (front entrance) has two images of Nandi, one in metal and another in stone.
There is no idol of Parvathi, but the rear of sanctum sanctorum is considered as the place where Parvathi is divining.
Portions of Ramayana and Bhagawatha epics are wood carved on the sanctum sanctorum. Western entrance is beutified with murals. The murals relating to the dance of Shiva deserve paricular attention.
Sastha, Ganapathi and Dakshinamoorthy are sub-deities here.
The flag-mast of the temple is gold-covered and lengthy.
The soot collected on the large bell-metal lamp in the entrance from the lighted wicks is believed to have medicinal value. Oil is one of the offerings to the shrine.
Villages in Kottayam District
- Alapra
- Ayamkudy
- Bharananganam
- Changanassery
- Chempu
- Erattupetta
- Eravinalloor
- Ettumanoor
- Ithipuzha
- Kadathuruthy
- Kaipuzha
- Kallara
- Kangazha
- Karukachal
- Kidangoor
- Koorapada
- Koottickal
- Kothanalloor
- Kudamaloor
- Kummanam
- Manarkadu
- Monipally
- Moscow
- Paika
- Pallom
- Puthupally
- Ramapuram
- Teekoy
- Thalayolaprambu
- Vandanpathal
- Vennimala
