Chovva Shiva Temple,Kannur

Today I am behind of an undated old photo.

Probably 100 years back, as claimed by some online sites.

Creator unknown.

Taken from British Library

Title: Chovva Shiva Temple

The undated old photo

I searched and it's easy to find the temple as it is situated in my nearest city. I have heard the story of the naming of Kannur in different versions. Kannur is so named because it is believed that it is the house of Lord Krishna, known because of Kannan's Oor. Adhikadalay, Kadalay is blessed by the spiritual presence of Lord Krishna.

Another version is that Kannur was famous even before “dwaparayuga”. It is believed that Saint Kanwa has visited this place during his peregrination. It is also believed that Kannur is the place of Kanwa Maharshi (saint) hence the name Kannur. It is on that basis a belief came that the main idol “Shivalinga” was investiture by Kanwa Maharshi in dwaparayuga.

Basic Structure, sanctum sanctorium,Chovva Shiva Temple,Kannur

Wikimapia given the clues. The Junction in NH17 which you can see in the image is Mele Chovva, where Mattannur Road joins to NH 17. I assumed the above photo was taken from a  certain height which is unusual. When searching nearby, I saw the water tank just behind the temple (marked in Red Circle). The basic building is still intact. On periphery lot of shrines as sub goddess and thidappally has been constructed in addition to a larger compound wall.  

View of the temple from a building on the national highway.

View from behind of temple...Chovva Shiva Temple, Kannur

Comparison of new and old. Here the evidence of coconut tree tops, suggestive of a higher position of photographer.

That height suggested something bigger. I discovered the Water tank and so the position. I wanted to climb and take a similar photo in the same angle. But access is denied.

I climbed on the outer wall, A comparatively possible shot from when standing over the compound wall.

Google earth view of the same site, and the evidence. the purple line is the walkway where people used to down the hill through the main gate. There was an RC double storied house, suggesting the photo is not too old as some of the sites claimed it was dated before 1911. within the peripheral constructions, there is a well, which always situated in a special place, See the mark in black. The old compound wall is demolished and constructed to enclose a wider area. 

The same site in 2003

New construction, done probably in 2009-2010

 This temple, according to legend, It is one of the most important temples in Kannur District in Kerala where there is equal importance for Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu & Lordess Mahadevi.this is one of the ancient temples where the main investiture was done by Kanwa Maharshi. Because of the high spiritual importance of temple, it is very holy to visit this temple.

in 2006

At front of the temple. note that construction still on...Chovva Shiva Temple,Kannur

2009, please note the differences in front elevation.

2010

They build a walkway too.

Inside of the temple compound Chovva Shiva Temple,Kannur

Chovva Shiva Temple,Kannur

History 

A few 100 years ago the temple was under the administration of “Uralan’s” (Landlords). The temple was rich under Uralan’s which constituted almost 71 landlords. The Brahmans houses were prosperous by the spiritual blessing of the temple. But the coin turned upside down by the invasion of Tippu Sultan. He tried to destroy the spirituality of the temple completely but he couldn't completely destroy it. He forcibly converted most of the Hindu’s into his religion. He brutally killed and destroyed the people who stood against mass religion conversion. He looted and plundered the temple and turned into a war land. Tippu sultan’s army failed to destroy the Lord Shiva idol due to its spiritual strength. They were not able to touch it and destroy the idol. During the revivification of temple lately, ancient bomb, bomb parts were recovered. This was evidence for those terrible days of the temple. After that, the administration of the temple came to stand still. The assets of the temple were gone and hence the glory.

Belief

Goddess Devi’s spiritual presence was in the west of the temple. After the Tippu sultan’s invasion, the assets & land were taken over by some people, they discovered the remains and ruins of the temple. They had to experience many terrible things due to high energy presence. Soon they sold their property for any amount. The people who bought that place also had to face such strange incidents and they were forced to sell their property. Later on, the government took over the property and builds the water tank there.

It is said that there were many underground pathways and caves near the temple area. During house construction in the nearby areas, such caves were found. It is also said that the pond near the national highway also belonged to the temple.

This place is at Mele Chovva and was once a big Shiva Temple pond long years before, But later on, the pond was shifted to another place near the temple. But people of this place have forgotten that this area will become a big pit. a documentary was shown in the City channels and Mathrubhumi new paper and now it has become a feeding area of mosquitoes because people started to dump waste in this place. Since then in the rainy season, all the waste floats on top and people get diseases because of the mosquitoes. A complained was given to the District collector of Kannur and it was forwarded by him to the Ellayavoor panchayath. They came and checked and forwarded to the Water authority but no action taken as well has no followed up from the top level. This is not a good sign of the system to be followed. Since it can become dangerous for the people staying in Mele Chovva