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The
highly popular Siva Ambalam visited by thousands of citizens of
Kottayam and yatris from all parts of India is centrally located in
the town of Kottayam. It was built by the royal family of Tekkumkoor,
and has an enchanting legend. According to story, the king was an
ardent devotee of Vadakkunathan of Trichur and was visiting monthly
once, invariably. During his old age, he felt it impossible to
withstand the rigour journey, so prostrating before the Lord, and
with tear stained eyes he uttered that death would be preferable to
living, if his failing health would not permit his further visits to
the temple: In the same night, Lord Siva appearing in hisdream
consoled him, saying that He would Himseof abide in Tirunakkara hill
where the present temple stands now.
Later, when some farmers were ploughing the land on the slopes of
the hill, their hoe struck against a hard black stone. Along
with cracking sound there started red liquid oozing out. On
examinations it was found to be a Sivalinga and further hoeing threw
up the image of a bull, the Siva,s promise in his dream. The
linga was duly installed with agamic rite. Regular worship
was introduced and the devotional fervour mounted higher and higher
as many more miracles occurred in the lives of true devotees.
The temple having received the royal patronage was embellished with
many wood carvings and beautiful paintings on the walls.
This lies in the Kottayam town-- a great cultural centre of the
kerala State. It enjoys all conveyance facilities.
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