Panchayat/ Municipality/ Municipality Corporation

LOCATION District Wayanad

Nearest Town/ Mananthavady Town – 11 Km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Mananthawadi Panchayat Bus Stand – 10 Km

Nearest Railway Kozhikode Railway Station – 88 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Calicut International Airport – 105 Km

Mazhuvannur Maha Temple Mazhuvannur Temple Road Porunnanore - 670645 CONTACT Phone: +91-4935-231003 DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME February – March Annual 3 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The presiding deity in the sanctum-sanctorum is Lord Shiva, other deities are Arayil Bhagavathy, Sree , , Lord Ayyappa and Lord Ganapathi. This temple is situated on the highest peak in the areas of Karingari, Paliyana, and . Daily poojas are performed here from dates unknown. Shivrathri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Nritya . The month of Kumbham is noted for the Shivarathri festival. It falls on a moonless February night, when offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. During the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. The gods and the demons were terrified as it could destroy the entire world. When they ran to Shiva for help, he in order to protect the world, drank the deadly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This turned his throat blue, and since then he came to be known as Nilkantha, the blue-throated one. Shivrathri is celebrated to commemorate this event by which Shiva saved the world.

Local Above 2000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

According to the Shiva Purana, the Maha Shivratri worship must incorporate six items: the ceremonial offer of cooling bael leaves to the deity, representing purification of the soul; the vermilion paste applied on the linga after bathing it, Fasting representing virtue; food offering which is conducive to Daily pooja longevity and gratification of desires; incense, yielding Annadanam wealth; the lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the Homams attainment of knowledge; and betel leaves marking Special Programs satisfaction with worldly pleasures. All through the day the devotees keep strict fast, chant the sacred Panchakshara " Namah Shivaya ". The pilgrims stay awake throughout the night. Special Bhajan Programs and homams are also conducted.