Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kottayam , Kerala . Temple tradition have it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple.The name of the place has its origin from the word 'manoor', which means the land of deer .Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, located in Kottayam district, is famous for its murals.

The most famous of these beingthe painting of Nataraja (depiction of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer) in the gopuram (ornate temple tower). The temple is also renowned for the annual Ezharaponnana (the seven-and-a-half elephants finished in gold) Ezhunallathu (procession). There are also shrines to Saasta, Ganapati and Dakshinamurthy in the temple.

An important vazhivadu or offering is pouring oil in this lamp. It can contain nearly 3 liters of oil. As every devotee pours oil, the overflow is collected in a huge vessel placed below the lamp. The spill-over thus collected is so much that it is sufficient for the annual festivals of the temple. The soot collected on the cover of the lamp is applied to the eyes as it is believed to cure eye diseases. People possessed by evil spirits also get liberated here by making vows after worshipping to this holy lamp.

Ettumanoor Shiva temple Legend - According to legend, an Asura called Khara got three Shivalingas from Lord Shiva himself. He took them with him to Kerala, holding one by his teeth and one each in his right and left hand. While the Lingam held by his teeth was consecrated in Kaduthuruthi, the one held in his right hand was consecrated in Vaikom ( Vaikom Mahadeva Temple) and the one held in his left hand was consecrated in Ettumanoor.

After consecrating all these 3 divine places in the same day, Khara is believed to have become a deer and started worshiping the Gods. It is believed that the God in Ettumanoor took the deer in his hand and held it there. Because of that, this place was called Udhruthaina Puram, which means Ettumanoor in Malayalam (The place where the deer was lifted).

Belief - Vaikom Mahadev Temple with Ettumanoor Siva Temple & Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple - Legend is that the Shiva lingam found here was installed by the Demon KHARA from the epic Ramayana. He worshipped Shiva at Chidambaram and obtained 3 Lingams. He carried one in each hand and the third in his mouth.

Since this Lingam was installed from his mouth, the place got the name "Kadichiruthy Prathishitta". (Kadichu - bite, thuruthy - to be placed). The other 2 Lingams were installed at Vaikom & Ettumanoor. Hence it is believed that darshan of all 3 Lingams before noon on a single day fulfils ones wishes. Book A tour Package to  Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple