Ettumanoor

Ettumanoor is a temple town in Kerala’s Kottayam district, famous for the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple with its rare Nataraja painting and the annual Ettumanoor festival.

Overview

Ettumanoor is a town in the Kottayam district of Kerala, approximately 10 km from Kottayam. It is renowned for the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, one of the most important Shiva temples in Kerala, famous for its exceptional 16th-century Nataraja (dancing Shiva) mural painting. The temple’s architectural and artistic significance makes it a major pilgrimage and art history destination.

History and Legend

The Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is believed to have been built during the Pandya period and later renovated by various Kerala rulers. The temple’s Nataraja mural, painted in the traditional Kerala mural style, is considered one of the finest examples of this art form in existence. Legend states that the sage Narada installed the Shiva lingam here, and the temple gained prominence during the Travancore period when it was patronized by the royal family. The annual festival features a spectacular display of traditional Kerala performing arts including Kathakali, Thiruvathirakali, and Panchavadyam.

Architecture and Features

The temple features traditional Kerala architecture with a two-tiered sanctum, copper roofing, and intricate wooden carvings. The Nataraja mural on the western wall of the Chuttambalam (outer pavilion) depicts Shiva in the cosmic dance pose, measuring approximately 11 feet by 7 feet, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful murals in India. The temple tank (Kalyani) and the surrounding walls with ancient inscriptions are notable features. The annual festival includes ten days of cultural performances and the ceremonial procession of the deity.

Modern Status

Ettumanoor receives devotees and art enthusiasts year-round, with peak visits during the annual festival (February-March) and Maha Shivaratri. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Kerala State Department of Archaeology have documented the temple’s murals. The town serves as a gateway to the backwater tourism destinations of Kerala, and the nearby Vembanad Lake and Kumarakom are popular tourist attractions.

Verification Notes

• The Ettumanoor Nataraja mural is one of the finest surviving examples of Kerala mural art
• The temple is one of the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala believed to have been consecrated by Parasurama
• The annual festival features traditional Kerala performing arts over ten days