Kamaleswaram Mahadeva Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the main Shiva temples in Trivandrum. Devotees believe that the prime deity is a mighty one. Lord Shiva is installed in the main sanctum. The sub-deities in the temple are Lord Ganesha, Lord Nagaraja, and Lord Maadan Thampuran. Devotees visit the temple in large numbers to attain Salvation, Wealth, Relief from diseases and Gain Knowledge.
Kamaleswaram Mahadeva Temple is famous for celebrating all Shiva festivals.
Main offerings in the temple are Kovalam Garland, Mrityunjaya Pushpanjali, Dhara, Ganapathy Homam and Maha Ganapathy Homam.
Maha Shivarathri is the major festival celebrated in the temple, and it attracts thousands of devotees from all over the state. The celebrations in the city are centred on the 12 major Siva temples. The Kamaleswaram Mahadeva Temple along with Sreekanteswaram Temple, the Manikanteswaram Temple witness large crowds. Special pujas and Akhanda Nama Japam Yajnas are held during the festival. Devotees take part in the Sivalaya Ottam – an annual pilgrimage on Sivaratri.
It’s a circuitous pilgrimage from Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple to Sankaranarayana temple. The devotees cover a distance of 80 to 110 km in around 24 hours.
Other festivals celebrated in the temple include the day of Thiruvathirai and Pradosam.
Thiruvathira is considered as the birth star of Shiva and is observed in the month of Dhanu. It is believed that, on this day, Goddess Parvati met Lord Shiva after his long penance. Lord Shiva accepted her as an equal part of him; i.e. Ardhanareeswara – half man and half women.