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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple | name = Aazhimala Shiva Temple | image = Azhimala Siva Temple, near Vizhinjam (2).jpg | caption = The temple in 2012 | deity = [[Shiva]] | temple_board = Aazhimala Shiva Temple Devaswom Trust | festivals = * [[Utsavam]] (annual festival) during the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of {{Lang|ml|Makaram}} (January{{En dash}}February)
* [[Maha Shivaratri]] | location = Pulinkudi, [[Vizhinjam]] | district = [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]] | state = [[Kerala]] | country = India | map_type = India Kerala #India | map_caption = Aazhimala Shiva Temple (Kerala) | coordinates = {{coord|8|21|25|N|77|00|41|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline}} | architecture_type = [[Dravidian architecture]] | architecture_style =Similar to the [[architecture of Tamil Nadu]] | facade_direction =East |elevation_m=22|website=[https://aazhimalasivatemple.in Official website]}}

The '''Aazhimala Shiva Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] located on the coast of the [[Arabian Sea]] near [[Vizhinjam]] in the [[Thiruvananthapuram district]] of [[Kerala]], India. Dedicated to [[Shiva]], the temple is known for the {{Convert|58|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} tall {{Lang|ml|Gangadhareshwara}} sculpture, which is the tallest Shiva sculpture in Kerala.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=ലേഖകൻ |first=മനോരമ |date=29 December 2020 |title=കേരളത്തിലെ വലിപ്പമേറിയ ശിവ രൂപം,അല തല്ലുന്ന കടലിനു മേലെ തല ഉയർത്തി ഗംഗാധരേശ്വരൻ; വിസ്മയം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/thiruvananthapuram/2020/12/29/trivandrum-siva-statue-in-aazhimala-sea-shore.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml}}</ref> The temple is built in a style resembling the [[architecture of Tamil Nadu]]. It is governed by the Aazhimala Shiva Temple Devaswom Trust.<ref name=":1" />

== Location ==
The temple is located in Pulinkudi in the [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] of [[Kottukal (village)|Kottukal]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram district]], [[Kerala]]. It is situated {{convert|0.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} off [[Vizhinjam]]{{En dash}}[[Poovar]] road near a cliff adjacent to the beach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Babu George |first=Sarath |date=19 September 2023 |title=Azhimala turns a death trap for visitors |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/azhimala-turns-a-death-trap-for-visitors/article36558683.ece |access-date=18 June 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-12-31 |title=Azhimala Shiva Temple, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach |url=https://tfiglobalnews.com/2022/12/31/azhimala-shiva-temple-timings-history-travel-guide-and-how-to-reach/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |work=tfiglobalnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Administration ==

The temple is governed by the Aazhimala Shiva Temple Devaswom Trust. The trust organizes the annual festival and makes important decisions regarding temple affairs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=S. |first=Gautham |date=20 January 2021 |title=Azhimala Shiva Temple to get upgraded facilities |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2021/jan/20/azhimala-shiva-temple-to-get-upgraded-facilities-2252329.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

== Architecture ==

[[File:Azhimala Siva Temple, near Vizhinjam (1).jpg|thumb|The outer wall of the temple decorated with sculptures of [[Hindu deities]] ]]

The architectural style of the temple is similar to the [[Architecture of Tamil Nadu|temples of Tamil Nadu]]. The outer wall and [[gopuram]] are decorated and adorned by colorful sculptures of different Hindu deities like [[Ganesha]], [[Ayyappan]], [[Vishnu]], [[Kartikeya]] and [[Hanuman]]. The shrines of the principal deity and other subordinate deities are also vibrant, with carvings, [[Mural|murals]] and decorations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aazhimala Siva Temple Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://www.hitvm.in/aazhimalasivatemple.html |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=www.hitvm.in}}</ref>

== Gangadhareshwara sculpture ==

[[File:Aazhimala Shiva sculpture 2.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Shiva in the form of ''Gangadhareshwara'' against the backdrop of the [[Arabian Sea]]]]

Inside the temple, there is an {{convert|58|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} tall concrete sculpture of Shiva in {{Lang|ml|Gangadhareshwara}} figure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=George |date=24 February 2023 |title=Aazhimala Shiva Temple: Where divinity blends with heritage |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2023/feb/24/aazhimala-shiva-temple-where-divinity-blends-with-heritage-2550288.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> It was sculpted by P. S. Devadathan a native of Aazhimala.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Theresa |first=Deena |date=5 January 2021 |title=58-ft-tall statue of Lord Shiva in Azhimala attracts many tourists |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2021/jan/05/58-ft-tall-statue-of-lord-shiva-inazhimala-attracts-many-tourists-2245406.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Construction of the sculpture started on 2 April {{date|2014|DMY}} and was completed and opened to the public on {{date|Dec 31, 2020|DMY}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Editorial Desk |first=Janmabhumi |date=31 December 2020 |title=ആറുവര്‍ഷത്തെ കാത്തിരിപ്പിനു വിരാമം; ദൃശ്യവിസ്മയം തീര്‍ത്ത് 58 അടി ഉയരമുള്ള പിനാകധാരി; സോഷ്യല്‍ മീഡിയയില്‍ തരംഗമായി ആഴിമല ഗംഗാധരേശ്വര രൂപം |work=Janmabhumi |url=https://janmabhumi.in/2020/12/31/2980087/news/kerala/azhimala-gangadhareshwara-shiva-statue/amp/ |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> It is currently the tallest {{Lang|ml|Gangadhareshwara}} sculpture in India and the tallest Shiva sculpture in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ഡെസ്ക് |first=വെബ് |date=11 January 2021 |title=കടൽ തീരത്തെ ശിവരൂപ വിസ്മയം; തീർഥാടന ടൂറിസത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമാകാൻ ആഴിമല ക്ഷേത്രം |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/travel/explore/azhimala-temple-to-be-a-part-of-pilgrimage-tourism-695629 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=Madhyamam |language=ml}}</ref>

The sculpture depicts a [[Chaturbhuja|four-armed]] Shiva in a seated posture. The back right hand holds a [[damaru]], the front right hand rests in the right thigh, the back left hand holds a [[trishula]] and the front left hand is in a raised position within the ''jaṭā'' ([[dreadlocks]]), which holds [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]].<ref name=":2" /> The sculpture is mounted on a rock at a height of {{convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name=":3" />

== Festivals ==

[[Utsava|Utsavam]], the annual festival, is conducted during the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of {{Lang|ml|Makaram}} (January{{En dash}}February). [[Maha Shivaratri|Shivaratri]] is another special occasion.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} Tuesdays are usually the busiest day with many devotees coming from faraway places.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-13 |title=കേരളത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ശിവപ്രതിമ ഉയര്‍ന്ന ആഴിമല ക്ഷേത്ര വിശേഷങ്ങൾ |url=https://malayalam.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/aazhimala-siva-temple-thiruvananthapuram-history-timings-and-how-to-reach-003452.html |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=malayalam.nativeplanet.com |language=ml}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of Hindu temples in Kerala]]
* [[Vellayani Devi Temple]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commonscatinline}}
* {{Official website|https://aazhimalasivatemple.in}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Thiruvananthapuram district]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Kerala]]

Aazhimala Shiva Temple - Revision history

Sylvester41C at 15:15, 18 June 2025