1600-Year-Old Kerala Temple: Fierce Shiva-Parvati, Buddhist Architecture!

• Anikkattilamma Temple in Kerala worships Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati in fierce, weapon-wielding forms, unlike other joint temples.
• Lord Shiva is enshrined as Kirata with bow and arrow, and Mother Parvati holds a sword, embodying power (Shakti).
• The 1600-year-old temple near Mallappally town features unique architecture resembling Buddhist temples, with a hut-like structure and red tiles.
• Devotees believe visiting the temple fulfills wishes and frees them from troubles; it also has shrines for Bhadra and Nagaraja.
• An eight-day Pongal Puja, a women-centric festival, is celebrated in Feb-Mar, where kheer is offered to the deities.

Why It Matters: Kerala's 1600-year-old Anikkattilamma Temple uniquely features fierce Shiva-Parvati and Buddhist-like architecture.