Santhana Gopala Temple At Changanacherry In Kerala – Famous For Solving Childbirth And Pregnancy Problems

Santhana Gopala Temple at Changanacherry in Kerala, also known as puzhavathu Vaikunteswara Santhanagopala Vishnu Temple, is famous for Santhana Gopala Vratham – a ritual puja and fasting undertaken by couples for begetting children. It is said the worshipping the temple will help in solving all problems related to childbirth and pregnancy.

Santhana Gopala Temple in Changanacherry has a very unique Vishnu murti or vigraham. The murti is of a Vishnu sitting. The murti has four hands. Two hands hold Shankh (conch) and chakra (discus). The other two hands are holding a child.

It is said that the murti is of Vishnu who is getting ready to give the 10th child to the Brahmin as per the famous Santana Gopala story. (you can read the story here)

The Queen Lakshmibai of Travancore had built the Lakshmipuram Palace and the Vaikunteswara Santhanagopala Vishnu Temple.

The shrine is located inside the Lakshmipuram Palace. The sreekovil is square in shape.

It is believed that Swatithirunal, the famous king of Travancore, was born after Queen Lakshmibai after offering prayers and puja in the temple.

It is also believed that the temple was built after the Travancore royal family did not have many children.

The Santhana Gopala Vratham in the temple is observed on the full moon day (velutha vavu or purnima) that falls after no moon day (Amavasya or Karutha Vavu) in Kanni month.

Rice is completely avoided on the previous day of Santhana Gopala Vratham. On the main Vratam day a complete fast is observed.

Unniyuttu a ritual for the well being and good health of children under the age of five is performed in the temple.

Vaikunteswara Santhanagopala Vishnu in the temple faces east. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Kashi Vishwanath, Sri Rama, Hanuman, Sastha, Thevara Bimbangal and Rakshas.

The main festival in the temple is observed with Kodiyettam in Atham nakshatra to Thiruvonam nakshatra in Medam month.

The shrine is around 2 km from Changanacherry.