81. Uliyannoor Mahadeva Temple
Uliyannoor Mahadeva temple was designed and constructed by Sri. Uliyannoor Perunthachan at a distance of about 20 metres from the old temple founded by Parashurama in BC 525.. Lord Shiva’s deity faces the east and the Periyar river. Garbhagriha of the temple has a circumference of 42m which was adorned with goodness and skill of Perunthachan’s architecture. 68 wooden pillars in the temple signify 64 art forms and 4 Vedas. Temple has a wide namaskaramandapa. A big statue of Nandi faces the west. Deity of Sree Parvathy also faces the west.Annapoorneshwary is the secondary deity here. Towards the south of this temple lies the 12 feet tall Sri Madathillappan temple.This temple has a deity of Swayambhu Ganapathi on its southern entry. All these temples together make up the Uliyannoor Mahadeva temple complex.
Sree Kovil is One of the biggest Kovil in Kerala. The Sivalingam is also very big and faces east. On the back side, Parvathy is there giving darshan.
Uliyannoor wears its cloak of ancient heritage with a certain lightness, and immeasurable pride. The Uliyannoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, claimed to have been built by the master carpenter of the Parayipetta Panthirukulam lore, holds pride of place in most islanders’ narrations. The Vatta Sreekovil of the temple with its 68 wooden beams converging into a single dome above the sanctum is considered the mark of fine craftsmanship even today. Nearby is the Madathilappan Temple, which devotees believe was consecrated by Parasurama, drawing faithful from across the State.