Kilimarathukavu Temple is believed to be an ancient temple that was destroyed, leaving only idols behind. [2] A new temple was constructed sometime in the 21st century. [3] In 2011, the Travancore Devaswom Board oversaw the renovations with the assistance of the temple advisory committee.
Temple legend
According to folklore, during the Pandavas' exile in the forest, Arjuna traveled as an ascetic devoted to Lord Shiva to seek the Pashupatastra. One day during the journey, he came across a bird, which he began to follow. After several days, it reached a valley where it sat on a tree called Kilimaram near a clean stream. As Arjuna approached the bird, it plucked three leaves from the nearby Koovalam tree, and Arjuna felt as though he was asked to increase his asceticism for Lord Shiva. Arjuna bathed in a nearby pond and worshipped the Shiva lingam he found there. As time went on, Arjuna's asceticism became severe.
As requested by Parvati, Shiva came to Arjuna as a tribal man, and Parvati came as a tribal woman. An asura in the form of a pig was sent by Duryodhana to kill Arjuna. Arjuna and Shiva, in his disguise, shot the monster with their arrows. During the ensuing argument, Arjuna struck the tribal man (Shiva in disguise) with his bow. Parvati stopped him and revealed the man's true identity. Hearing this, Arjuna did the Sashtanga Namaskara, and Shiva gifted him the Pashupatastra and gave him blessings. Several other deities, including Ganapathy, Murugan, Shastha, and Anjaneyan, joined the scene as well. Shiva told Arjuna, "The place where we are now is very sacred, and whoever comes here for prayer shall be blessed," and then disappeared. Upon saying this, a Shivalingam appeared in his place. Today, the two Shivalingams are worshipped. [4]
