Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is located around 18 km
northwest of Chengannur and 9 km north of Thiruvalla town in Kerala. The temple
is associated with Pandavas of the Mahabharata. Thrikodithanam Temple was
constructed by Sahadeva, the fifth of the Five Pandava brothers. The shrine is
also one among the 108 Divya Deshams – Thrikodithanam (108 temples dedicated to
Lord Vishnu as per Vaishnava tradition).
Story of Thrikodithanam Temple
Story of Thrikodithanam Temple
The murti of Lord Vishnu worshipped in the shrine is also
known as Atbhuta Narayana. The other four Pandavas received Vishnu murtis
except Sahadeva. In spite of long tapas and intense austerities, he was not
able to locate a murti of Vishnu. A depressed Sahadeva decided to end his life
by jumping into pyre. Suddenly a murti of Vishnu with four hands appeared from
the pyre. This murti was installed at the Thrikodithanam Temple and it came to
be known as Atbhuta Narayana.
Murtis Worshipped in the Temple
Murtis Worshipped in the Temple
The presiding deity in the temple is Chaturbahu Vishnu
adorned with conch, discus, mace and lotus. The murti is made out of Anjana
Kallu. It faces east. There is also an utsava murti of Lakshmi Narayana and
Chaturbahu Vishnu.
Subsidiary deities in the shrine include Dakshinamurti,
Ganapati, Ayyappa, Nagara and Nagayakshi, Bhadrakali, Rakshas and Subrahmanya.
Narasimha Muri worshipped in the temple is very famous. It
is known as Sathru Samhara Murti.
The shrine is a classic example of Kerala style temple
architecture with dwajasthambam, deepasthambham, mandapam, nalambalam, balikkal
pura, temple tank, sevapanthal and huge compound wall. The sanctum sanctorum is
in conical shape. The mural paintings in the shrine are noteworthy.
Kazhuvetti Kallu
In the front of the east Gopuram is a very interesting stone
idol of a man lying on his back, adorning a sacred thread of a Brahmin, the
conch of a Marar and the crown of a prince. The idol is supported at the central
portion of the body by a granite pillar. The man was given capital punishment
for bribery, cheating and dishonesty.
The main temple festival is observed in Vrischikam (November - December). The annual festival concludes with arattu and deepa utsavam.
The main temple festival is observed in Vrischikam (November - December). The annual festival concludes with arattu and deepa utsavam.
Other important festivals are Sashti, Narasimha Jayanti and Pongala.