SHIVA TEMPLE

THE SHIVA TEMPLE AT PIDIKAPARAMBU IS IN A PITIABLE CONDITION The only Shiva temple I know of, with the deity facing East, is that at Pidikaparambu. The sanctum , HOUSING THE DEITY, is round and the whole architecture is ancient looking. The work of replacing the old tiled roof, by copper tiles is still not complete. They hope to finish the work before Shivarathry, according to the carpenter, who talked o me, at the Sastha temple at Chathakudam, this evening. The most tragic happening was a few months back, when, incessant rains caused earth sliding and the deepasthambham (the pillar, with attached lamps)fell into the water of the big pond where villagers take bath daily. The lamp post is still lying in water. “Is there no effort to reclaim it from water?” I asked the carpenter. “Where is the money for it?” He quipped. Will the Devasvam Board listen?