The Ongallur Taliyil Shiva Temple is located near Pattambi in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is famous for its intricate laterite sculptures. Believed to be over 1000 years old, it is widely regarded as one of the oldest temples in the state. The temple is more than just a religious site and plays a central role in the social and cultural life of the local community.

Deities of the Temple
The primary deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, a prominent deity in Hinduism, symbolizing creation, preservation, and destruction. 

Devotees seek his blessings for strength, courage, and inner peace. Alongside Lord Shiva, the temple reveres subsidiary deities such as Ayyappa, representing truth and righteousness, Dakshinamurti, an embodiment of Shiva as a guru, and Ganapati, known as the remover of obstacles. The temple belonged to six manas or houses of Namboodiri Brahmins, a wealthy aristocratic caste group of Kerala.

Traditional Temple Architecture
The architecture follows the traditional Kerala style architecture with intricate wooden carvings and gopurams (ornate temple towers). The sanctum sanctorum, where the main deity resides, faces east. The Shiva linga (the devotional image in Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva) in the temple is noted for its large girth.

The architectural elements of the temple reflect Kerala's rich artistic and architectural heritage.

Religious rituals and festivals 
The Ongallur Shiva Temple holds religious and spiritual significance for devotees who come to seek blessings, offer prayers, and take part in rituals and festivals. 

Mahashivratri (The Great Night of Shiva) is the most important festival for the devotees of Shiva. The festival signifies a spiritual journey to overcome darkness and ignorance, invoking the power of Shiva's divine grace. Devotees observe fasts and engage in night-long vigils, offering special foods made from fruits, root vegetables, and coconuts to Lord Shiva.