Aluva
Shiva temple located at a distance of 22 kms from Kochi, is on the banks
of the Periyar river. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva-
facing the east. The specialty of this temple is that the Shiva Linga
(the symbolic idol of Lord Shiva) is not enclosed in a shrine but is installed
on the sand banks. It is believed that the Shivlinga has risen out from
the sand on the bank of the river. During the monsoon season, the whole
region gets flooded and the idol gets submerged in water. At that time,
worship is done in a small shrine on the upper banks of the river.
The famous Aluva Shivaratri celebration is held in the temple premises.
It is the main festival of the temple carried out every year in the Malayalam
month of Karkidakam (July-August) on the new moon day. It is more a
ritual than a festival, during which one pay homage to their forefathers
(pithrutharpanam). On this occasion known as 'Karkidaka vavu bali', thousands
of devotees come to Aluva Manalpuram (river bank) from different parts
of the state. They stay awake the whole night in prayer. A dip in the
river at the 'Brahmamuhurtha' (3 am) after observing the rituals of Shivarathri
is considered very sacred. A month long trade fair is also conducted along
with the festival.
Kerala 
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