ശ്രീ അന്തിമഹാകാളൻകാവ് ചേലക്കര

Lord Shiva in the form of 'Anthimahakalan' is the main deity. Goddess Kodungallur Bhagavathy and Lord Ganesh are the presiding deities. Lord Siva’s incarnation of Kiratha, Lord Anthimahakalan (also known as ‘Anthymalan’)is the ruling deity of this holy temple and as memorising the name, it is called ‘Anthimahakalan Kavu’ (the temple of Anthimahakalan). Even though usually the ‘Kavu’ is known for ‘

Devi’ temples, here the main deity is Lord Anthimahakalan, the Kiratha incarnation. On the right side there is Kodungallore Bhagavathy also being installed. Here the Bhagawathi is in ‘Kali’ form and is all and the performance done as guided by Anthimahakalan as Lord Sree Krishna in Mahabharatha. Here the major festival is called Vela. In addition ‘Kalam songs’ (column songs) , Pathamudayam Vela, Navarathri Festival, Reinstallation Day are celebrated. The Vela Festival will be declared on the ‘Durga Yamam’ i.e. 18 Nazhika passed on the 1st of the Kumbam month (usually 14th of February –depends on date fluctuation). From this date onwards till the end of Vela, there are certain customs to be followed by the people of the ‘Thattakam’ area. One should not leave the area and if so, he should return for the Vela. Tree climbing, head loading, house repairs, boundary wall making…etc are told not to be done. Pangarapilly, Kurumala, Thonoorkara, Venganellur and Chelakkara are the five ‘Deshams’ (villages) included in the ‘Thattakam’ of Lord Anthimahakalan. These villages have the right to conduct the Vela festivals. There are Northern Side and Southern side Velas and celebrated alternatively. Historically, it is told that the Southern Vela managed by ‘Thekkan Nambidies’ and Northern Vela by ‘Kavalappara Nairs’. Prior to that it was managed by Thekkan Nambidies only. Due to any reasons, the Vela should not be ceased and for that reason, Thekkan Nambidies requested the more powerful and royal Kavalappara Nairs to join them and for operational reasons it was decided to celebrate in alternative years. But in 1102(Malayalam Era) the Thekkan Nambidies handed over the conduct of Vela to Cochin Devaswom with the surrender of required land and till 1114 Kavalappara Nairs continued the Vela. But in that year they too surrendered the land and handed over the conduct of Vela to the Devaswom. From 1114 it is being conducted by Devaswom.