The Idamanakavu Temple, situated at Aroor/Arattupuzha in the Pathanapuram Taluk of Kollam District, has a history of approximately 600 years.
Origin of the Temple
The Kottarakkara Raja brought eminent Brahmins from the northern region for Vedic and religious activities and donated the temple premises and surrounding area to them.
Facilities were arranged for them to reside there and to construct places of worship. The Naga deities were installed here for the spiritual and material prosperity of those Brahmin families.
Growth of Sarpa Worship
The temple property was subsequently transferred to the descendants/families of those Brahmins. After two generations, the property came into the possession of the local residents.
Following the traditional religious practices and sacred rituals performed by them, the presence and importance of Sarpa (serpent) deities continued to grow.
The Deva Prashnam
On 6 December 1999, a Deva Prashnam (traditional astrological/ritual examination) was conducted in the presence of the temple.
During this ceremony, several hidden historical facts were revealed.
It became clear that the self-manifested presence of Ardhanareeswara existed here.
The Deva Prashnam also indicated that the temple and shrine of Lord Ardhanareeswara should be established here with importance equal to that given to the Naga deities.
Pratishtha of Lord Ardhanareeswara
Based on these findings, on 2 May 2004 (1179 Medam 19), a Sunday under the Atham Nakshatra, the idol/pratishtha of Lord Ardhanareeswara was performed.
Installation of Upadevathas
For determining the prosperity and welfare of the locality, Ganapathi and Subrahmanya, the subsidiary deities (Upadevathas), were also installed.