Siva Temple, Avittathur, Kerala The temple, considered one of the earliest Siva temples in Kerala, is located at Avittathur (ancient Avittiputtur) in Thrissur district of Kerala. The temple complex includes the sreekovil (sanctum), namaskara mandapa (pillared hall in front of the sanctum used for rituals), chuttambalam (enclosure surrounding the sanctum and mandapa), vilakkumadam (row of lamps fixed outside the chuttambalam wall), subsidiary shrines, valiya balikkal (large altar stone), dhwaja sthambham (flag mast), natapandal, deepasthambham (lamp pillar), prakara (outer enclosure wall), gopuram (temple gateway), and a temple tank. The circular two-storeyed (dwitala) sreekovil is of the sandhara type and faces west. The sopanam has four direct steps with vyali faces carved at the top of the banisters. The pranala features a makara-simha face at its base and a go-mukha at the end. The namaskara mandapa is supported by sixteen pillars. The chuttambalam has entrances on all four sides. The tidappally (temple kitchen) is located in the southeast corner, while the Ganesha sub-shrine is situated in the southwest. The temple is renowned for its rich wooden carvings, especially the depiction of the Kiratarjuneeyam story on the walls and griva of the sreekovil. The story of Palazhimadhanam is illustrated on the ceiling of the namaskara mandapa along with representations of the Navagrahas. The temple contains inscriptions on both sides of the entrance to the sreekovil and another in the courtyard near the sopanam. These inscriptions are written in Old Malayalam using Vattezhuthu and Grantha scripts. The records were issued in the 20th regnal year of the Chera king Goda Ravi (Ko-Kotai Iravi), indicating that the temple dates back to the 10th century CE. Source: Archaeological Survey of India