Karppillikkavu Sree Mahadeva Temple is located in Manjapra village in the Ernakulam District of Kerala, India, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as Kirata, the hunter. A unique feature of this temple is that the deity is believed to grant darshan from the western side. The idol represents Shiva in the form of Kirathamoorthy, also known as Vettakkaran. According to legend, the consecration of the idol was performed by Kartavirya Arjuna.
According to legend, the temple was originally dedicated to Sri Devi (Parvathy). However, when Kartavirya Arjuna visited the temple to seek darshan of Sri Devi, he found her presence absent. In response, he performed the prathishta of Lord Shiva in the temple instead. He then took residence in a cave that he constructed on the northern side of the temple.
All pradhosha days are significant for the temple, along with special occasions such as Thiruvathira day in Dhanu, Sivarathri, Vidhyarambam, and the Mandala days. The Thiruvathira Nakshatram in the month of Makaram marks the Aarattu day, which follows an 8-day festival celebration.
Festival days are significant times when Lord Shiva is particularly joyful, and seeking darshan during these occasions, along with making offerings at his lotus feet, is believed to bring fulfillment of wishes and prosperity. The temple's prathishta day falls on the Vishnu day, which corresponds to the Uthram Nakshatram in the month of Medom. Other important occasions include Niraputhari and Ramayana Masacharanam.