SHIVA TEMPLE -EATTUMANOOR (The Eternal Flame )

The Eternal Flame of Ettumanoor Temple The town of Ettumanoor is famous for the renowned Mahadeva Temple. The temple of Ettumanoorappan/Lord Shiva has a special sanctity and glorious history of its own. Owing to the potency and all-pervading power of the “Aghora Moorthy” the Temple stands first among the places of worships and pilgrimage in South India and it attracts devotees not only from India but also from abroad. At the entrance to sanctum a large oil tamp keeps ever awake. One of the main rituals of this place is that donating oil for the temple lamp. It is believed that the soot that collects from the burning of the oil has the power to cure every eye diseases. The lamp had placed in the temple at around 720ME The legend behind the lamp is that one evening an unknown ardent devotee a brass metal worker brought to the temple a big hanging oil lamp. He then approached the temple care takers and pleaded them to grant him some alms by taking the lamp. Then somebody raised doubts as to how such a big Lamp would remain lit as it requires oil for burning instead of water. He replied that even if there was none to oil the Lamp, it would go on kindled and if Ettumanoorappan wishes the lamb can be burned by water as well. Still the authorities are reluctant to buy the lamp, Suddenly a stranger from inside the temple came out dancing, took hold of the heavy lamp with one hand and hanged it on a hook on the ceiling. At this moment there was a fierce thunderstorm and the people trembled with fear and flocked in to the sanctum. When they came back after a few moments the lamp was there glowing with five wicks in it and the seller and the dancer were nowhere to be seen. They disappeared after fixing the lamp at its present position in ‘Balickalpura’ and the lamp was first lit by the thunderstorm .Devotees believes that the dancer was Lord Shiva .This lamp has since been called the “Valiyavilakku” and it is continuously spreading spiritual light to millions.