Aazhimala Shiva Temple - The Tallest Shiva Sculpture in Kerala.

 

The Aazhimala Shiva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the coast of the Arabian Sea near Vizhinjam in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. The temple is known for the 18 m (58 ft) tall Gangadhareshwara sculpture, which is the tallest Shiva sculpture in Kerala. It is governed by the Aazhimala Shiva Temple Devaswom Trust. The trust organizes the annual festival and makes important decisions regarding temple affairs. The temple is also surrounded by a serene pond known as 'Sivaganga,' which adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the location.

 

 

The sculpture depicts a four-armed Shiva in a seated posture. The back right hand holds a damaru, the front right hand rests in the right thigh, the back left hand holds a trishula and the front left hand is in a raised position within the jaṭa, which holds Ganga. The sculpture is mounted on a rock at a height of 6.1 m (20 ft) and its stunning location near the beach. Construction of the sculpture started on 2 April 2014 and was completed and dedicated to the public on 31 December 2020, after six years of construction.

 

 

The architectural style of the temple is similar to the temples of Tamil Nadu. The outer wall and gopuram of the temple are decorated and adorned by colorful sculptures of different Hindu deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappan, Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Hanuman. The temple's sanctum sanctorum features magnificent carvings and paintings depicting scenes from Hindu religious stories. This temple is believed to date back to the 8th century AD and was constructed during the Pandya dynasty.

 

 

Utsavam, the annual festival is conducted duringof the temple is held during the Malayalam month of Makaram (January - February). It is a significant event that attracts a large number of devotees. Shivaratri is also another special celebration in the Aazhimala Shiva Temple that attracts a large number of devotees. Tuesdays are usually the busiest day with many devotees coming from faraway places.

 

Festivals Celebration:

Annual Festival Naranga Vilakku and Maha Shivratri are the main festivals of the Aazhimala Shiva Temple.

 

Timings:

Monday - Saturday: 05:30 AM - 11:00 AM & 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Sunday: 05:30 AM - 08:00 PM