103. Velappaya Mahadeva Temple
Velappaya is a village in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India.It is famous for the Mahadeva temple, also known as Velappaya Shiva temple.Kerala University of Health sciences (Medical University) is located mostly in velappaya area.(though the area is said to be allocated in 3 Panchayath areas)..
The entrance to the temple is from the North. The outer compound has several peepal trees and a concrete foot path similar to the one’s found in other large temples of Thrissur.There are two entrances to the inner prakara, where we see two majestic sanctums – one square and another circular. The sanctums are in traditional Kerala architecture and are having two-storied granite base.
In both, Lord Siva is consecrated with equal significance and is facing West. Siva lingas are almost 5-6 feet tall. Lord Siva is considered to be consecrated in ferocious form (Tripura Dahana). The entire surrounding of the inner prakara is paved with granite. The circular shreekovil has a namaskara mandapa with very old, but disintegrating wood work in its inner roof.
Lord Ganapathy and Goddess Parvathi are also consecrated in the circular sanctum.In the outer compound, we see two big polished red-stone sacrificial stones (balikallu) and a large concrete canopy (mandapam) built newly on top of it. The concrete structure unfortunately dilutes the otherwise pristine charm of this temple.The temple has five poojas which is all managed by a single priest. Outer-prakara has sub-shrine of Lord Ayyappa and Nagas. The temple which was earlier managed by Vellapaya Parangattil Family, is now under Cochin Devaswam Board.