Ernakulam Murugan temple

The Shiva temple complex in Ernakulam city, Kerala  is quite well-known  and in this hoary temple, the presiding deity is Lord Shiva often referred to as Eranakulathappan - the protector of the city. The Uthsavom (temple festival) of Shiva temple is held on a grand scale every year  in the month of December–January and it is the most popular one here.  Adjacent to the main Shiva Temple are two other popular temples and they constitute the temple complex.

The Murugan templeErnakulam en.wikipedia.org

The Murugan Kovil built in Tamil style  is on the north side and the other being the Hanuman temple built by Madhwa Brahmins of Udipi based on  their sampradhaya.  
 

The Hanuman temple,Ernakulam en.wikipedia.org

God Muruga, widely known as Karthikaya in the northern India, is one of the two sons of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. The other being inspiring Vinayaka or Ganapathi. The worship of god Muruga or Subramaniya  is quite popular in the south, in particular, Tamil Nadu where there are six  famous abodes of Muruga called Aarupadai Veedu in Tamil. 

The temple dedicated to Muruga in Ernakulam  was built  by Tamil- speaking residents of Kochi  when  Diwan Venkataswamy, a Tamil Brahmin was running the administration of the Princely state during the colonial days.  The Murugan  Kovil is  being managed by the Tamil Brahmin Association of Ernakulam. The management is particular about meticulously following the temple rituals and traditions associated with Subramanya (Murugan) temple. The worship is based on Vedic Agama Sastras. Here, the lord's consorts  are  Valli and Devanyani. The temple puja protocol includes, as usual, Aarukala Puja - six time worship since morning till night. Included in this temple are shrines for  Navagrahas and Ganesha. There are other deities such as  Vishnu, Dakshinamoorthy and Durga.

Tit-Bits:

01. The famous Ernakulam Temple pond is on the  eastern side, facing the Murugan temple.

02. The other temple  - The Hanuman temple was built in Udipi style  by Diwan Venkat Rao in year 1850. Here, the temple rituals are based on  Udipi tradition and Madhwa sampradhaya.

03. Though they follow the Udipi sambradaya, the temple does not have the idol of Lord Sri. Krishna. In the sanctum there is an idol of Sri Rama.

04. Of some interest to the visitors to this temple is the presence of 200 year old Banyan tree. 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernakulam_Shiva_Temple