Located in Guruvayoor, Kerala, the Mammiyoor Temple is a prominent pilgrim spot for Hindus. Situated in Thrissur, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The speciality about this place of worship is that it is amongst the sacred 108 temples of Shiva, and the top 5 Shiva temples based in Guruvayoor. According to the local ritual, it is a compulsion for visitors of the Guruvayoor Temple to witness the holy grounds of the Mammiyoor Temple as well. One of the principal regulations of this temple allows only Hindus to worship the deity or even enter the temple premises.
The thing that makes this temple widely known is the history behind how it came to be. According to the legend, after Lord Krishna’s abode was submerged by the Deluge, Lord Vayu and Brihaspathi stumbled upon his idol. They were instructed to consecrate this at an appropriate holy ground. In a search for the same, they found themselves on the banks of River Rudratheertha which was Lord Shiva’s sacred ground for meditation since years. Understanding the cause, Shiva obliged the idol to be placed at that very place and moved further ahead on the banks of the river.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shivaratri is one of the major festivals celebrated annually at the Mammiyoor Temple. The devotees keep awake all night enchanting prayers followed by deep meditation.
Besides this, Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is a hugely symbolic event observed by pilgrims at this temple.