• Know how the city of Ernakulam got its name. It is through a story from the Mahabharat and Shiva worship.

The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, peacefully situated on the banks of the Kochi backwaters, holds a revered position as the Paradevata, the supreme guardian deity, of Ernakulam, often referred to as the port city due to its close proximity to Cochin Port. This sacred sanctuary is believed to grace devotees with good health, wealth and long life. The legends surrounding this temple are deeply intertwined with the epic Mahabharata, adding to its mystique and spiritual significance.

Arjuna, the valiant third Pandava prince, embarked on a rigorous penance to please Lord Shiva. Impressed by Arjuna’s unwavering devotion, Shiva, accompanied by his divine consort Parvati, journeyed from their celestial abode at Mount Kailash to meet him. Eager to showcase Arjuna’s piety to Parvati, Shiva assumed the guise of Kiratha, a humble tribal hunter.

This article was first published in the Bhavan Journal.

Just as Shiva appeared before Arjuna, a ferocious wild boar charged towards the prince. Swiftly, Shiva, in his hunter form, shot an arrow at the beast. Arjuna, renowned for his archery prowess, also shot an arrow at the boar. The creature, revealed to be the demon Mookasura in disguise, fell lifeless, it’s true form exposed. 

A dispute arose between Arjuna and Kiratha, each claiming credit for the kill. A fierce battle ensued, lasting for an extended period. Ultimately, Kiratha emerged victorious, overpowering the mighty Arjuna.

The vanquished Arjuna, unable to even stand up, made a Shiva linga out of mud and performed a puja offering flowers. To his surprise, he noticed that the flowers he offered over the Shiva linga were falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then realised that Kiratha was none other than his Lord Shiva. Pleased with his devotion and sincerity, Lord Shiva granted Pashupathastra, the divine weapon, to Arjuna. As soon as Arjuna left, the area was covered with dense forest, uninhabited for a long time. The existence of the Shiva linga made by Arjuna also disappeared from the memories of all.

High in the Himalayas, nestled amongst the slopes, resided Sage Kulu. His hermitage, a haven of peace, housed him and his devoted disciples. Each day, Kulu performed a sacred fire ritual—a homa—to appease the gods. His disciples, bound by duty and devotion, ventured into the woods to gather the necessary offerings: vibrant flowers, fragrant holy basil and chamatha, the sacred twigs of the Butea frondosa tree. One fateful day, as the disciples meticulously collected wildflowers, a flash of movement startled them. From a thicket of bushes, a small serpent shot out, its scales catching the sunlight. Fear gripped the young hermits, sending them scrambling back.

Devala, however, the eldest and most composed among them, held his ground. With a swift and practiced movement, he fashioned a noose from a nearby creeper, skillfully capturing the startled serpent. Devala, consumed by remorse, watched the serpent writhe its last. News of the tragedy reached his fellow students who rushed to inform their guru. Sage Kulu arrived to find Devala, head hung low, heavy with regret. Fury burned in the guru’s eyes. “Your actions have consequences,” he boomed. “A curse I now lay upon you. Transform into a serpent!” 

Devala, tears streaming down his face, collapsed at his guru’s feet. Softening slightly, Sage Kulu spoke, “Fate’s path cannot be diverted. It was ordained that I curse you, and you, to bear it. But there may be a way to break free. Seek penance on Mount Mandara; appease Lord Shiva, the deity adorned with serpents. Henceforth, you shall be known as Nagarshi.” With that, the sage returned to his hermitage, his disciples trailing behind. 

Devala, his form twisting and warping, became a monstrous being. A human torso topped with the horrifying visage of a five-hooded serpent.

Nagarshi undertook a deep penance on Mount Mandara, his heart fixed on Lord Shiva. Years passed by, and one day, a disembodied voice echoed, instructing him to journey to the sacred forest of Bahularanya. Nagarshi searched for the source of the voice, but none was to be found.

“Seek a cluster of elanji trees in full bloom,” the voice boomed. “At their base, you shall find a Shiva linga guarded by a divine serpent. Earn its favour with your devotion, and it will bestow its blessings upon you, allowing you to claim the linga. Thereafter, embark on a pilgrimage southward. Pay homage at every holy tirtha on your path until you reach Rameshwaram. There, bathe in the sacred sea, marking the culmination of your pilgrimage. Then, proceed westward, but never neglect your worship of the linga. For on the day the Shiva linga chooses to stay grounded, your curse shall be lifted.” 

Nagarshi obeyed the voice and arrived at the grove of Bahularanya where he saw elanji trees overflowing with blooms. At the heart of the grove, he found a Shiva linga guarded by a divine serpent. Nagarshi’s devotion appeased the serpent, who granted him his blessing and allowed him to take the linga.

Lord Shiva’s vehicle called Nandikeshwara then appeared before Nagarshi and instructed him in the proper way to worship the Shiva linga.

Nagarshi embarked on a pilgrimage southward, visiting all the sacred shrines along the way until he reached Rameshwaram. Here, he performed a holy bath in the sea, marking the end of his pilgrimage. He then ventured westward, carrying the linga with him.

After a long journey, he reached a verdant area teeming with trees on the banks of a huge lake. There, he saw a tranquil pond. He placed the Shiva linga on the ground and went into the pond to bathe. Upon returning, he began worshipping the linga by chanting sacred mantras in praise of Lord Shiva.

When the puja concluded, Nagarshi attempted to lift the linga from the ground. However, the Shiva linga remained firmly fixed to the earth. In that moment, Nagarshi understood that this was the destined place to break his curse.

With hands folded in reverence, Nagarshi closed his eyes and chanted holy mantras in praise of Lord Shiva. Shortly after, he was transformed back to his original form and ascended to his heavenly abode.

News of the Shiva linga spread quickly, and people flocked to the pond to pay their respects.

The village Chieftain Thushath Kaimal constructed a modest temple by the pond, overlooking the backwaters. Within the inner sanctum, a Shiva linga faced westward, its place of consecration. Later, following the guidance of diviner Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar, an idol of Goddess Parvati was enshrined opposite the Shiva linga, facing east, within the same sacred chamber.

Since Nagarshi achieved liberation after worshipping the Shiva linga on the bank of a pond, or kulam, the place became known as Rishinagakulam, and the Lord Shiva as Rishinagakulathappan. Over time, the name evolved into Ernakulam, and the Lord into Eranakulathappan. Lord Shiva consecrated here is also known as Kirathamurthi. The Perambadappu Royal Family of Kochi considered Lord Eranakulathappan as one of their guardian deities and worshipped him.

The annual festival of Eranakulathappan is a magnificent spectacle, celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendour. Caparisoned elephants and rhythmic drums enhance the grandeur of the festivities, creating an atmosphere of awe and reverence.

This article was first published in the Bhavan’s Journal, October 1, 2024  issue. This article is courtesy and copyright Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai-400007. eSamskriti has obtained permission from Bhavan’s Journal to share. Do subscribe to the Bhavan’s Journal – it is very good.