Thirunakkara

Thirunakkara Shiva Temple

Thirunakkara is the name of an area of Kottayam town in Kerala, India. The place is a hill known as "Nakkara Kunnu" in the regional language Malayalam. There is a Hindu-temple located on the hill, which is considered to be a sacred hill by Hindus, hence the name "Thiru" + "Nakkara" meaning "Sacred Nakkara Hill".

Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Siva is located at Thirunakkara. The annual ten-day festival at the temple draws to a close with the Aaraattu ceremony. Usually nine caparisoned elephants take part in the Aaraattu-procession, which begins in the afternoon.

Folk arts like Mayilattom, Velakali etc., are presented in the temple premises in the evening. Another major attraction is the Kathakali-performances during the festival.

Also Thirunakkara is one of the ace shiva temples in the state of Kerala.