Ayalur Ratholsavam 2025 | Siva Temple Ayalur Palakkad

അയലൂർ രഥോത്സവം 2025 | പാലക്കാട് അയലൂർ ശിവക്ഷേത്രം | Ayalur Ratholsavam 2025 | Siva Temple Ayalur Palakkad

Ayiloor Temple is on the banks of Ayiloor river in Nemmara. The main deity of this temple is lord Shiva.This temple is more than 1000 years old. It is believed that the Siva Lingam in this temple was installed by Giant Kara. Giant Kara got three shiva lingams, after his prolonged Thapas, and he carried these Lingams one in his right hand, second in left hand and third one on the teeth. He installed the right hand Lingam at Ayalur, Left hand Lingam in Trippalore through his feet and the third one in Pallavur. All these temples are situated within five kilometers. The temple was said to be under the ownership of Kodakara Nair. Kulangattu nair was the warrior of this family and they looked after the temple administration. The name of temple then was Akhileshwarapuram.The temple had a lot of Akil, hence the name Akiloor or Ayaloor or Ayiloor. Later for a couple of years the temple was under the ownership of various Namboothiri families and finally came under the rule of Cochin king. Now the temple is under the Cochin devaswon board. The temple faces east and has three poojas and sheeveli on daily basis.

The Shiva pratishta is believed to be Parvathy Samethan, is having presence of goddess Parvathy with him. Another specialty of the temple Is that the pratishta of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva is situated in the southern direction close to the compound wall facing the east. The upadevathas are Ganapathy, Subrahmanyan and Ayyapan. On the right side of Nandikeshan along the Pradakshina path is located seven Mathru swaroopams namely Brahmnai, Maheswari, Vyshnavi, Kaumari, Indrani, Varahi and Chamundi. Godess Pavathy is considered Simhavahini and lamp is lit on the western side of the temple behind Nandikeshan. There is a sculpture of Dakshinamoorthi at the southern side of the temple. Nagapratishta is on the South-west corner of the temple, outside the sreekovil.

Ayalur Ratholsavam 2025 | Siva Temple Ayalur Palakkad

The aarattu Grama Chaitanya Ratholsavam is conducted on Karuthavaau in the Malayalam month of thulaam. The festival is conducted by Kulangattu Nair nad aarattu is conducted in the Ayiloor river. Near the riveride wher Aarattu festival is conducted ( aarattu kadavu) thers is a banyan tree, a temple and a pratishta of lord Ganesha.Ayiloor ratholsavam or car festival is conducted in Malayalam month of Dhanu (Thiruvathira star). More than 100 people participate in the Pradosham abhishekam and also many offerings are being performed in this temple.Ratholsavam is celebrated for three days. First day Udayasthamana Pooja is performed to Lord Parthasarathy, second day Udayasthamana Pooja to Lord Akhileswara followed by in the night Makeera Vilakku and third day is Ratholsavam (Thiruvathira) day. Most of the people who left Ayalur used to assemble on this festival day to have dharshan of their Gods (Grama Devathai) and also to meet their old friends.

Procession by caprisoned five elephants with Panchari Melam, Pandi Melam, Panchavadhyam, Thayambaka and special programs like Kathakali, Music etc. are important on this day apart from Radham Ezhunnallippu. On Thiruvathira day, Arudhra Dharisanam is an important one. Poornabhishekam to Lord Akhileswara starts early morning at 3.00 am and concludes at 7.00 am with japam viz. Mahanyasam, Rudram, Chamakam, Suktham etc. Arudhra Dharisanam (Jothi Dharisanam-Maha Deeparadhana) will be around 5.30 a.m. At present this festival is conducting by Ayalur Grama Janam. This festival shows tamil-malayalam culture.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS

• Dhwajarohanam
• Procession
• Udayasthamana Pooja
• Makeera Vilakku
• Panchari Melam
• Pandi Melam
• Panchavadhyam
• Thayambaka
• Kathakali and other artforms
• Music shows
• Radham Ezhunnallippu
• Arudhra Dharisanam
• Poornabhishekam

Temple Location

📍 Ayalur Shiva Temple, Nemmara Aylur Road, Ayalur, Palakkad - 678510 Kerala.

Accessibility

🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: S M High School Ayalur - 550 m

🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Ayalur Bus Stop -240 m

🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Kollengode railway station - 18 km

✈️ Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport- 92 km