Mammiyoor Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mammiyoor Temple is located in Thrissur (Trichur) district of Kerala. The temple is just 200 m away from the renowned Guruvayur Shree Krishna Temple. Mammiyur Temple is also known by other names like Mammiyoor Shiva Temple and Mammiyur Mahadeva Kshetram. In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Uma Maheswara. The idol of Lord Vishnu has been set just next to the idol of Lord Shiva, which makes it a very unique shrine. This is the one and only temple where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are considered equivalent to each other. It is strongly believed that offering prayers at Guruvayoor Temple would be incomplete without paying a visit to Mammiyoor Temple. Only Hindus are allowed to enter both the temples. Others deities are also worshipped in Mammiyur Temple, including Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Bhagavathy, Nagaraja and Nagarani and Brahma Rakshassu. Number of devotees comes to the temple to get blessings of the powerful and fascinating deity of the Hindu Trinity.

History and Establishment
There is a very simple and interesting legend behind the existence of Mammiyoor Temple. It is said that once the planet Jupiter - Brihaspathi who is known as Guru and Vayu (the wind god) were looking for a perfect place on the earth to consecrate the deity of Lord Krishna. Finally, during the quest, Guru and Lord Vayu reached the banks of a lake namely Rudratheertha, which was created by Lord Shiva. The lord was found to be sitting on a penance for a long time. The intention of the Guru and lord Vayu was understood by Lord Shiva, who suggested them to consecrate the idol of Lord Krishna on the banks of Rudrathirtha Lake. In order to do so, lord Shiva shifted to the nearby place that is the other side of the lake.

The place where the idol of Lord Krishna was consecrated by the Guru and lord Vayu came to be known as Guruvayoor. On the other hand, the place which was chosen by Lord Shiva was recognized as Mahimayur, which was later named Mammiyoor or Mammiyur.

Key Features
Mammiyoor Temple is a part of other 108 renowned Shiva temples in Kerala and also the one of the among five Shiva temples in the region of Guruvayoor, others being Chowwallur, Perunthatta, Perakam and Parambanthali. All these are considered to be the five faces of Shiva. Mammiyoor Temple features Lord Shiva with whole family that includes Goddess Parvathy, Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan. Bhagavathi as Parvathy has been installed behind Lord Shiva with their three sons. Snake gods - Nagas are also worshipped in this temple. Here, mainly two festivals namely Shivaratri and Thiruvathira are celebrated with great pomp and show.

Main offerings that are made to Lord Shiva are Pinvilakku, Dhara, Koovalamala, Abhishekam, Vedi Vazhipadu, whereas Palpayasam, Kalabhabhishekam, etc. are the main offerings prepared for lord Vishnu. The consecration day of Lord Vishnu is also celebrated by doing Sudhikalasam, Laksharchana, Chuttuvilakku, Niramala and other special Poojas. Other festivals like Navarathri, Manadala Pooja, Vinayaka Chathurthy, Shashti, Ashtami Rohini and Vishu are also celebrated here.

How to Reach Mammiyoor Temple:
Thrissur district is well connected to the major towns, cities and districts of Kerala, via trains and buses. Guruvayur Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the temple. Thrissur Railway Station is railway station in the vicinity, from where Guruvayoor is 29 km away. Mammiyoor Temple is also well connected by road. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses as well as private buses ply through the Guruvayur temple town. National Highway 17 (NH 17) passes through Kunnamkulam, which is approximately 8 km away from Guruvayoor. The nearest airport to the town is Nedumbassery Airport or Kochi International Airport. Guruvayur town is 80 km away from this airport. Karipur Airport or Calicut International Airport is another airport that is located on 100 km away from Mammiyoor Temple.