Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple, , Kerala

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple in Kaviyoor,Kerala, India dating back over 1000 years. It is commonly called Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The main deity is Lord Mahadeva (Shiva and Vishnu) and the Temple is also known for its Hanuman temple. This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswom Board under Thiruvalla group of temples. 

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is the oldest Shiva temple in Kerala, located 6 Km away from the town of Thiruvalla. This temple is famous for its one of its kind gable style of architecture. It is characterised by the building with a triangle formed by the slanting of roof. Built over 100 years ago, this temple is among oldest temples of South India and is commonly called as Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. People magnanimously pray to lord Mahadev and Parvathi Devi in this temple. 

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the most ancient Mahadeva temples in Kerala. Located at the village of Kaviyoor (one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala), in Pathanamthitta District, the main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is also worshipped here. It is one of the popular temples, under Thiruvalla Group of Temples. The temple is commonly known as Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The shrine is also known as Hanuman Temple and Sriparvati Temple.

The main offering to the presiding deity at Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is Aval Nadyam and Vada Mala, which can be offered after making a receipt from the counter. The day-to-day activities of the temple include a number of rituals performed to please the presiding deity. The temple also conducts Hanuman Jayanti, which is a ceremonious occasion celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Lord Hanuman.

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950 AD has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. But the actual time of construction is not known,like any other old temples. Certainly, this temple belongs to the oldest period of strucural temples.There are two inscriptions on the basement of the main sanctum dated 950 & 951 AD. The Sasanaas are surely an addition, since they were written after the temple was constructed. It stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala. Several historians, like Stella Kramrich has this opinion. The perfect round Sreekovil with Sandhara style and its peculiar basement clarifies this opinion.