Sreekanteswaram Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. About 700 years old, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Sub-Deities worshipped in the temple are Maha Ganapathy, Lord Murugan, Anjaneya Swamy, Sree Krishna, Swamy Ayyappan, Nagarajah. The older Temple with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is Puthenchantha.
According to a famous mythological tale, an old woman sweeper of Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple distinguished the self-manifested Shiva Linga idol while she was resting here. She got 'Darshan' of Lord Shiva at the temple site.
Goddess Parvati Devi's is also present at the temple. The deity is called Gowri Shankara. Devotees in large numbers attend Nirmalya Darshan and Mrithyunjaya Homam.
Main Offerings in Sreekanteswaram Temple are:
Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Mrityunjaya Archana, Abhishekam, Dhara, Pushpabhishekam, Neerajanam, Venna Charthu for AnjaneyaSwamy, Ashtoth Ararchana, Sahasranamarchana, Nateshalankaram etc.
The annual festival in Sreekanteswaram Temple lasts for ten days and is celebrated during Dec-Jan. The Aarattu is observed on Thiruvathira Star day, which is believed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is also celebrated with grandeur. Anointing the idol of Lord Shiva with pure ghee is performed on this auspicious day.