There are many names by which Mahadeva is known- Neelakanta,Adiyogi,Mahakala. At Triprangode Shiva kshetram,Tirur, Malappuram he is called KaalaSamhara Murthy,one who gave death to the God of Death-Yama. @chathootti @radvind @RajithRajagopal @pavpil
#walktotemple- 1/18

A renowned temple,it dates back to a very ancient period.The temple has references in the Kokila Sandesha by Udhanda Shastri.Inscriptions of Chera ruler Ravi Varma(10th century)has evidences of granting land to the temple.The temple was 1st administered by Vettathu rulers.-2/18

Later,East India Company took over and handed the administration to the Zamorins of Calicut. It was here that the army of Zamorins camped during the Thirunavaya wars(14th century).The fertile basin here has immense sanctity associated with it.-3/18

Called Trimurti sangama due to the presence of the Trinity on either side of the river Nila,it holds prominence during Karkidavavu,when devotees pay obeisance to their ancestors.On the right of the river is Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple(where Gajendra moksha took place).-4/18

On the left of Nila is Cheruthirunavaya Brahma temple and Triprangode Shiva temple.Triprangode shrine is situated on the sides of picturesque fields- Vellottupadam.On 6acres of land,there are four subshrines for Mahadeva with a swayambhu linga,facing west.-5/18

The main shrine, moolasthana is Karanayil kshetram.The other three symbolises the three steps taken by the Lord to kill Yama.There are five ponds in and around the temple.The one to the south west is important for its here that Mahadeva washed his trident after killing Yama-6/18

The sreekovil(sanctum sanctorum)is another highlight.Its a two storied Gajaprishta sreekovil,having a southward extension and has Devi Parvathy to vamabhaga. This gives the murthy an Ardhanareeshwara form.There is a murthy of Unni Ganapathy inside the Naalamabala as well.-7/18

Outside the Naalamabala,there are sub shrines for Bhadrakali,Vettaakkorumakan,Chathurbahu roopa Vishnu,Ayyappa,Rakshas and Nagaraja.Adjacent to the shrine of Ayyappa,there is a stone statue of Lord Shiva as 'Mrityunjaya'.This statue was damaged during Tipu's attack.-8/18

Here Lord Shiva is referred to as KalaSamhara Murthy-one who killed Yama.The legend goes-Sage Mrikandu & wife Marudvati were ardent Shiva bhaktas.They were in deep pain as the couple were childless.They worshipped Mahadeva who agreed to gift them a child,but on a condition.-9/18

They can have a mentally disabled low intelligence son who would live long,or a righteous son with exceptional intelligence but would live upto 16years of age only.The couple chose the latter.Thus Markandeya was born.He was an exemplary son &knew the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.-10/18

He grew to be an accomplished sage at a young age.While he was nearing his 16th birthday,he sensed the pain his parents were enduring and came to know of the boon.Young Markandeya started worshipping Shiva.On the day he turned 16,the messengers of Yama were sent for him-11/18

Markandeya sought refuge at Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple.A formless voice from srikovil asked him to seek refuge at Triprangode across the river.Navamukunda showed him the way through the western gate.Running out of time,Markandeya rushed to the abode,crossing the river-12/18

There was a banyan tree obstructing the entrance.Its said the banyan tree split in the middle to give way for Markandeya to reach Shiva.He fell on to the Shivalinga,embraced it tight,holding on to it and sought abhayam. By this time,Yamadeva himself came for Markandeya-13/18

He threw his Kaalapaasham(time of noose)to take away Markandeya.However, fate had it that the noose encircled both Markandeya and the Shivalinga.When he pulled outwards,the shivalinga burst out to reveal a fiery form of Mahadeva.Lord was angered at Yamadeva's aggression-14/18

Mahadeva in fury took his Trishool(trident)and killed Yama,thereby freeing his devout bhakta from the clutches of death.Upset by the death of Yama,the entire clan of devas prayed to Shiva to revive Yama citing the imbalance it would cause to Prakriti.Mahadeva revived Yama.-15/18

Revival of Yama was done on the condition that his devotee Markandeya be left alone.Markandeya was given the boon to be forever a 16year old sage.After the samhara,Lord washed his trident at a pond nearby.This pond is still maintained and considered sacred.-16/18

After this,Shiva returned to be swayambhu.The 3steps placed was reverred with lingas,1on each.This place having the thri padam,later came to be known Tri'padam'kode,now called Tripangode.Shrine comes under Malabar devaswom with Zamorin as trustee.Tantric rights are with..-17/18

Vadakkedathu&Thekkedathu Nambutiris.The important poojas are Shankhabhishekam&Mrityunjaya homam.Devotees troubled by diseases seeking longevity,come here for refuge,as there cannot be a better place than the abode of the Lord who killed the God of Death-KalaSamhara Murthy.-18/18