Maheshwaram Sri Siva Parvathi Temple at Chenkal in Thiruvananthapuram has become the tallest sivalingam in the country, with recognition from the India Book of Records.The construction has six meditation halls, 108 different sivalingams and 64 forms of Lord Siva. Height of 111 ft two inches, the sivalingam constructed at chenkal.The construction of this Sivalingam is based on Shadadharam. In addition to the 6 meditation halls there exist another 2 halls, one at the bottom and other at the top of the Mahalingam. Devotees are allowed to meditate at each meditation hall by knowing about and concentrating at symbols of each chakra present there. In the Prayer hall (at the bottom of Sivalingam).Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple is the cradle of Ancient Kerala Culture. This temple is an exhibition of traditional Kerala Architecture of Temple Construction.Temple is built completely out of Krishnastone and wood in traditional Architecture of Kerala in accordance with vastushastra. Entire Rashichakra symbols are at the sanctum (Sreekovil) entrance which symbolizes Sri Sivaparvathi is the controller of entire universe. Chuttambalam also constructed out of krishna stone and wood. There exist a three storied east entrance to enter into the Temple Complex. Through east entrance Devotees can enter into Anakkottil. Pillars out of palm tree is one of the attractions of Anakkottil. South entrance to the Temple Complex is another attraction of the temple. There exist four entrances at chuttambalam of the temple. On top of each entrance there is Gopuram in Kerala Architecture. In front of East Nada (Main Entrance) there is kodimaram. Kodimaram (flag mast) is covered with copper plate. Structure of Nandi is present on top of the kodimaram. Small bells present at the top of the kodimaram always ring which is pleasant to hear. At chuttambalam Structures of Gajavyali in wood is there on both sides of the east entrance to the temple. Inside the east nada there is valiyabalikkallupura. On the roof of Valiyabalikkallupura there exist Navagraha Sculptures carved on wood. Dome shaped structure in a single piece of Krishnashila could be seen on top of the Namaskaramandapam. There exist 70 pillars which is the exhibition of excellency in sculpture. Sculptures of different characters in Hindu mythology could be seen at the temple which are produced by carving stone and wood. Inside the chuttambalam there is Sreekovil for Sivaparvathi . Idol for Sri Sivaparvathi is moulded in Panchaloham(5 Metals). Idol of Lord Siva and Sri Parvathi Devi is Poornakaya(full bodied) idol sitting together by giving blessing to entire universe. Dvadasa(12) Jyothirlingam of Lord Siva are installed inside the chuttambalam, surrounding Sri Sivaparvathi. There are 3 Golden Thazhikakkudam (top dome of the temple) on top of Sreekovil (Sanctum). A number of Thazhikakkudam could be seen on top of the chuttambalam. There exist Mani Kinar( well ) at North East corner inside the Chuttambalam. There exist Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya temples inside the chuttambalam. 32 Forms of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped outside the chuttambalam at South-West corner of the Temple. At North-West corner of Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple there is Mahalingam having 111 feet height. Mahalingam at Maheswaram Temple is the world’s highest Sivalingam. Mahalingam has plenty of unique peculiarities. One of the peculiarities is its style of construction. Devotees can enter into this Mahalingam. The construction of this Sivalingam is based on Shadadharam. In addition to the 6 meditation halls there exist another 2 halls, one at the bottom and other at the top of the Mahalingam. Devotees are allowed to meditate at each meditation hall by knowing about and concentrating at symbols of each chakra present there. In the Prayer hall (at the bottom of Sivalingam), there is a large Sivalingam. Here Devotees themselves can worship Lord Siva and can proceed to the next six meditation halls to meditate by concentrating on symbols of each Adhara and finally devotees can reach Kailasam which is at the top level of Mahalingam. Way to the top level of the Mahalingam is spiral shaped and is surrounded by a cave like atmosphere and plenty of carvings (of Monks) pertained to meditation. Inside Mahalingam, 108 different Sivalingam and 64 forms of Lord Siva can be seen. The serene atmosphere inside the Sivalingam gives a rich spiritual experience to each devotee who visits Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple.The main idol of this temple is the full sculpture of Lord Siva and Sri Parvathi sitting together and giving blessings to the entire creation. Existence of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya as sub deities along with the main deity Sri Sivaparvathi completes the concept of Sivaparivar. Sivaparivardarshan is believed to provide peace of mind, wealth, prosperity, love, success and true bonding between family members. Nagar idols are installed outside the chuttambalam of the temple near south west corner. Devotees of Sri Sivaparvathi come to this temple to worship the ultimate source of completeness which they believe to help them to get better job, suitable life partners and the success in business. Sri Sivaparvathi is believed to be the moving force behind the entire creation. Devotees offer ‘pooja’ for the welfare of their family, for the accomplishment of their wishes and to remove hindrances on their way to success. Devotees visit Maheswaram temple for the auspiciousness of their family in all aspects. Sri Sivaparvathi shrine is the deity of auspiciousness. Lord Siva is regarded limitless, transcendent, unchanging and formless. Lord Siva has many benevolent and fearsome forms. In benevolent aspects, Lord Siva is depicted as an omniscient yogi who lives an aesthetic life on Mount Kailash as well as a house holder with wife Sri Parvathi along with their two children Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya. Sri Parvathi is the ideal wife, mother and householder. The vision of ideal couple is derived from Lord Siva and Sri Parvathi as one being the better half of other. There is no separate existence for Lord Shiva or Sri Parvathi. They are inseparable. The composite form of Lord Siva and Sri Parvathi conveys the unity of opposites in the universe. Lord Siva stands for Purusha and Sri Parvathi stands for Prakriti. Purusha is the male principle and passive force of the universe, while Prakriti is the female active force. The union of Purusha(Siva) and Prakriti(Siva’s energy, Sakthi) is behind the entire creation in the universe. Devotees of Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathivisit this temple in large number to get the divinedarshan of Lord Siva and SriParvathi together.
ക്ഷേത്രത്തിന്ടെ ഉല്പത്തിക്ക് ഏകദേശം 5000 കൊല്ലത്തെ പഴക്കമുണ്ടെന്ന് പറവൂര് ശ്രീധരന് തന്ത്രികളുടെ ദേവപ്രശ്നത്തില് തെളിഞ്ഞു. 5000 വര്ഷങ്ങള്ക്ക് മുന്പ് ബ്രഹ്മജ്ഞനായ ഒരു സ്വാമിജിയുടെ സമാധി ഈ സ്ഥലത്ത് ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു എന്നും വര്ഷങ്ങള്ക്കുശേഷം ബ്രാഹ്മണാചാര്യന്മാര് സമാധിസ്ഥലത്ത് ശിവന്, പാര്വ്വതി, ഗണപതി, മുരുകന് എന്നീ ദേവതകളെ ആചാരാവിധിപ്രകാരം പ്രതിഷ്ഠിച്ച് പൂജാദി കര്മ്മങ്ങള് നടത്തിവന്നിരുന്നുവെന്നും പ്രശ്നവിധിയില് തെളിഞ്ഞു
സ്വാമിജിയുടെ മൂന്നാം വയസ്സുമുതല് പൂജാദി കര്മ്മങ്ങളില് താല്പ്പര്യം കാണിക്കുകയും വീടിന്ടെ കന്നിമുറിയില് ധ്യാന നിഷ്ഠനായിരിക്കുകയും പതിവായിരുന്നു. ഇങ്ങനെ പതിവായിരുന്ന സ്ഥലത്ത് പുറ്റ് വളരുവാന് തുടങ്ങുകയും, ഭയപ്പെട്ട വീട്ടുകാര് അത് നശിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു. എന്നാല് അടുത്ത ദിവസം പുറ്റ് ആദ്യത്തേതിനെക്കാള് കൂടുതല് വളരുകയും കുട്ടി പുറ്റിനരുകില് ഇരിക്കുന്നത് പതിവാക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.
