Katappattor

Katappattoor is a small village on the banks of Meenachil river near Pala in Kottayam district of Kerala. The village life is centered around the Shiva Katappattoor Mahadeva Temple (also "Kadappatoor Temple" or കടപ്പാട്ടൂര്‍ in Malayalam). The population consists of Hindus and Christians.

The unique stone idol of Lord Shiva in the temple is unlike the idols in other Shiva temples. The idol was discovered by a woodcutter named Madathil Paachu Nair inside a large tree on the banks of Meenachil river on 14 July 1960 while he was cutting firewood. The day was quite unusually stormy with deafening thunderbolts. The woodcutter was frightened and jumped into the river as the tree fell to one side and the stone idol of Shiva appeared from that.

The news of appearance of a Shiva idol from the tree spread through central Travancore and people flocked to see the idol. Gradually a temple was built, initially in a unique architectural design resembling North Indian temples.

In 2006 the temple was renovated and completely remodeled in South Indian temple architecture style.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala.