Thrichittattu Temple – Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple near Chengannur in Kerala

Thrichittattu Mahavishnu Temple is located around 2 km northwest of Chengannur town in Kerala. The temple is associated with Pandavas of the Mahabharata. Thrichittatt  temple was constructed by Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. The shrine is also one among the 108 Divya Deshams – Thiruchengannoor (108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu as per Vaishnava tradition).

Thrichittattu Temple Story

Lord Vishnu is worshiped here as Imayavarappan. It is believed that the murti worshiped in the temple was first offered prayers by Devas or celestial beings. Imayavar means Devas.

As per 108 Divya Desham concepts, Vishnu worshiped here is known as Devathideva Perumal.

There is no murti of Goddess Lakshmi in the temple. But the divya desham concept mentions the presence Goddess Lakshmi in the shrine as Raktapankaja Valli.

In the Mahabharata war, Dronacharya was invincible. To kill him Yudhishtira uttered the lie that Ashwathama, his son died. After hearing the words from the mouth of Yudhishtira, Drona put his weapons down. Dhrishtadyumna used this opportunity and cut off the head of Dronacharya.

Yudhishtira carried the remorse of lying for a long period. It is believed that he did penance at Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple for the sin. He installed the murti and offered prayers to it here.

Unique Maha Vishnu Murti

The main murti worshiped in the shrine is Vishnu in standing posture. It is made using Krishna Shila. The unique aspect of the murti is that it holds conch in right hand instead of the discus or chakra.

Subsidiary deities worshiped in the temple are Ganesha, Sastha and Goshalakrishan.

Goshalakrishan has a separate quite big shrine in the temple complex. He is offered special pujas. Special rituals are observed during festivals.

The temple pond is known as Shankha Theertha.

The temple has a large Nalambalam and Namaskara Mandapam. Wooden carvings are another noteworthy feature. The sanctum sanctorum is round and is made out of huge stones.

The most important festival observed in the shrine is Ashtami Rohini (August or September).

Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple Timings

Morning Darshan Time – 4 AM to 11:00 AM

Evening Darshan Time – 5 PM to 8 PM

Related
Five Temples Built By Pandavas near Chengannur in Kerala

Ekadashi October 2016 dates – Monthly Fasting for Hindu God Vishnu in October 2016

Ekadashi fasting, dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu, is observed on the eleventh day of a fortnight in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. There are two Ekadasi in October 2016. The dates of Ekadasi in October 2016 are October 12 and October 26.

The Ekadashi on October 12, 2016 is known as Pasankusha Ekadasi. It is also known as Papankusha Ekadashi.

The Ekadasi on October 26, 2016 is known as Rama Ekadasi.

The preparation for Ekadashi fasting begins on the Dasami day – the day before Ekadasi. On the Ekadasi day, devotees observe complete fast. The day is meant for hearing religious discourses and performing pujas.

There are also devotees who do not observe total fast. They avoid grains especially rice and consume fruits, nuts and milk.

The fasting comes to an end on the Dwadashi day with the consuming of food cooked in one’s house.

More on Ekadasi fasting can be found in this article.

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Knowledge of unity alone dispels ignorance – Swami Madhavananda

Knowledge of unity alone dispels ignorance.

Knowledge only removes the false notion it does not create anything.

Scriptural statement cannot impart any power to a thing. For it is an accepted principle that the scriptures are only informative, not creative.

Everything is the effect of righteousness and unrighteousness : whatever is differentiated is the result of these two. The self, on attaining it, becomes identified with that.

It is true that good and bad deeds prompted by desire etc. are the cause of a man's taking a body; still it is under the influence of desire that he accumulates these deeds. When desire is gone, work, although present, does not lead to the accumulation of merit or demerit. Even if he goes on doing good and bad deeds, these, bereft of the desire, produce no results; therefore desire is the root of transmigratory existence.

Source – The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad with the commentary of Adi Shankaracharya Translated by Swami Madhavananda