Mammiyoor Temple, also known as Mammiyoor Shiva Temple or Mammiyur Mahadeva Kshetram, is situated about 200 meters north-west to the world famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur District of Kerala. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity who is worshipped in the form of Uma Maheswara. The unique feature of Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple is that the temple enshrines the idol of Lord Vishnu in a sanctum sanctorum, next to that of Lord Shiva. Mammiyur Shiva Temple is the only temple where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped in equal status. Regarded as one of the biggest temples in Thrissur District, Mammiyoor Shiva Temple is one among the 108 Shiva Temples consecrated by Lord Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Guruvayur Temple would be incomplete if the Mammiyur Shiva Temple is not visited.
Other Deities Worshipped in the Temple
Lord Ganesha Shrine
The Ganapathy Shrine is situated at the south western corner in the Nalambalam (a quadrangular building that surrounds the sanctum sanctorum). Ganapathy Homam, Karuka Homam and Pushapanjali are the offerings made to the lord.
Lord Muruga Shrine
A shrine dedicated to Lord Subramanya is installed in the western side of the Nalambalam. This idol resembles the idol of Palani Murugan Temple (Subrahmanya Temple at Palani) in Tamil Nadu. Milk abhishekam is performed here daily.
Lord Ayyappa Shrine
Lord Ayyappan is installed in the north-west corner of the Nalambalam. This idol is similar to the idol installed in Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. Lighting of Elluthiri and the lights made of gingely grains to avoid Shani Dosha are the main offerings here.
Picture of Mammiyoor Siva Temple
Goddess Bhagavathy
As the presiding deity here is Uma Maheswara, there is no separate shrine for Goddess Parvati. However, she is worshipped on the back side of the main sanctum of Lord Shiva. Pattu Charthal (offering of silk cloth) is the main offering to her. The idol of Goddess Bhagavathy is installed in a separate sanctum at the north-west corner of the temple. Poomoodal (covering the deity with flowers), Muttarukkal (breaking coconuts before the deity by the priest correctly into two exact half pieces for removing the obstacles), and Pattu and thali charthal are the important offerings.
Nagaraja & Nagarani Shrine
There is also a shrine for the snake gods, Nagaraja and Nagarani, in a separate enclosure in the Naga Kavu (abode of the Snake God) near the Bhagavathy Temple. Naga pooja and Sarpabali (a ritual done to get rid of Sarpa dosha) are performed here in the asterism Ayilyam in the month of Kanni. Also, Sarpabali and Nagapattu also performed during the Athi Rudhra Mahayagam and Maharudhra yagam in the month of Dhanu (mid December – mid January) every year.
Other deities worshipped here are Rakshassu and Brahma Rakshassu.
On the northern side of the temple is the sacred tank, Rudhratheertham where devotees take a holy bath.
Mammiyoor Temple Legend
The legend of Mammiyur Temple is associated with the consecration of the Guruvayur Temple. Brihaspathi (the planet Jupiter, known as Guru) and the wind god, Lord Vayu, were searching the spot on earth to consecrate the idol of Lord Krishna. They reached the banks of a lake called Rudratheertha, created by Lord Shiva. The Lord was doing penance there for a long time. He understood the purpose of the visit by Guru and Vayu and suggested that the idol could be consecrated on the bank of the lake. Lord Shiva willingly moved to the adjacent location, on the other side of the Rudhratheertha. Originally posted by hindudevotionalblog.com
Thus the place where Guru and Vayu consecrated the idol of Lord Krishna came to be known as Guruvayoor and the place where Lord Shiva preferred for himself and his consort was called Mahimayur which is later called as Mammiyur (Mammiyoor).
Mammiyoor Temple Festivals
Maha Shivrathri in the Malayalam month of Kumbha (mid February - mid March) is celebrated with Sudhi, Laksharchana, Ekadasa Rudrabhisheka, Chuttuvilakku, Niramala and other special poojas. Vilakku ezhunnellippu is held at night with the procession of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on two caparisoned elephants and chenda melam for Sree Bhootha bali. Notable feature is that the idols of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are taken on procession for Sree Bhootha bali. The celebrations are concluded with fireworks and followed with Krishnanattam, the classical performance by the Krishnanattam troop of Guruvayoor Devaswom
Pradhishta Day of Lord Vishnu
The consecration of Lord Vishnu is celebrated here on the asterism Revathy in the Malayalam month of Makaram (mid January - mid February). Sudhikalasam, Laksharchana, Chuttuvilakku, Niramala and other special poojas are held during the festival. Here also, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are taken in procession at night on two caparisoned elephants and chendamelam for Sree Bhootha bali.
Navarathri, Manadala Pooja, Vinayaka Chathurthy, Shashti, Ashtami Rohini and Vishu are the some of the other festivals celebrated here.
Temple Visiting Hours
The temple is opened from 4.45 am to 12.30 pm and 4.45 to 8.30 pm.
How to reach Mammiyoor Temple
Railway Station / By Train
Guruvayur Railway Station, situated on the east of Guruvayoorappan Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, is the nearest railway station to reach Mammiyoor Temple. However, Thrissur Railway Station is the nearest major railway station which is about 29 km from Guruvayoor.
By Road / Bus
Guruvayur is well connected by road network with various places of the country. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as well as numerous private bus services runs interstate bus services which connects the Guruvayur temple town with all major cities in South India. National Highway 17 (NH 17) passes through Kunnamkulam around 8 km from Guruvayoor.
Airport / By Flight
Nedumbassery Airport (Kochi International Airport) is the nearest airport, situated 80 km from Guruvayur town. Another nearest airport is the Karipur Airport (Calicut International Airport), which is about 100 km from Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
