Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple

Overview

The Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple is situated in Tripunithura. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Lord is the family deity of the erstwhile Kochi dynasty. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Poornathrayeesa “thra" means three; 'poorna' means complete and 'isa' means Iswara which means the Lord of Knowledge, or the Lord of the Three Vedas – Rik, Yajus and Sama. It also means the Lord who manifests himself as the essence of the Vedas, who can be attained through inner saadhana.

About the temple

The temple is designed in accordance of Kerala temple architecture. A major fire occurred in 1920, which destroyed much of the original structure particularly the sanctum sanctorum which was built extensively in wood. This led to redesigning the temple with concrete structure, for the first time in Kerala. Designed by the illustrious architect Late Sri Eachara Warrier, the temple was redesigned with concrete structure, covered cleverly with copper plates, wooden panels and granite tiles to recreate the traditional structure feeling. On the backside of Sreekovil, there is a small window from where devotees can get a close look at the idol of Santhana Gopala Moorthy of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple. Devotees can also have a look at the idol of Lord Ganapathi on the extreme south side of the sanctum-sanctorum. It must be noted that, besides the idol of Lord Ganesha, no other Upadevatas are worshipped at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.

About the Deity

The temple enshrines Santhanagopala Murthy or Santhana Gopala Moorthy as the presiding deity. Santhanagopalamoorthy which literally means “savior of infants” is an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu. Lord Vishnu is seen here in a sitting posture under the shade of five hoods of Ananthan. This is a unique pose unlike the other Vishnu temples where the Lord is usually found in a reclining posture on the divine serpent, Anantha. The folded body of the serpent itself serves as the seat for the God. The two upper hands of Lord Vishnu hold Sanku (conch) and Sudarshana Chakram (holy wheel) and the lower right hand holds the Padmam (Lotus flower).

Legend and stories

Traditions say that Lord Vishnu offered the idol of Sree Poornathrayeesa to Arjuna (the third of the five Pandava brothers), when he sought the help of the Lord to give rebirth to the ten children of a Brahmin. The ten children and the sacred idol were taken by Arjuna in his chariot and he handed over the children to the Brahmin. In memory of this event, a temple was built with a sanctum-sanctorum in the form of a chariot. Lord Ganesh was sent by Arjuna to search a holy place for the installation of Lord Vishnu. Earlier, the idol was kept in a palace which is situated at the west of the main temple and now it is known as Poonithura Kottaram. Legend reveals that Sree Poornathrayeesa is the elder brother of the Goddesses of Chottanikkara and Pishari temples. It is also believed that the Lord was married to a Namboothiri girl, Nangema, from Vadakkedathu Mana. During the annual temple festival occasions, deities from Perumthrikovil (Lord Shiva) and Pishari kovil (Lakshmi) visit here for a combined procession. This is locally called as Sankara Narayana Vilakku (Shiva and Vishnu) and Laksmi Narayana Vilakku (Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu). The Aarattu (the holy bath of the deity) of Sree Poornathrayeesa takes place at the temple pond of Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple, which is situated north-east of the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.

Daily Rituals

Five poojas are offered a day, and one of them should be performed only by a Thanthri, which is compulsory. The text used is Puliyanur thantra, and elephant is also a must while pooja is performed.

Festivals

Moosari Uthsavam

On the first 8 days of the Malayalam month of Chingam(August septemer ) there is festival commemorating the great one who sculpted the idol of Poornathrayeesa(Moosari is the metal smith in Malayalam)

Atha Chamayam

This is an annual festival celebrated during the onam festival in the month of Chingam (August-September). Large number of devotees gathers here, Apart from the processions there is also Pulikkali (Tiger dance)

Onbathanthi Uthsavam

This commemorates the bringing back of the idol from Puthan Bungalavu, where the idol was shifted after the fire. This is celebrated on the 9th of the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November). Onbathanthi means on date 9th.

Vrischigothsavam

This is the most important festival of the temple and it is celebrated in the month of Vrischigam (November-December) for a period of eight days. Apart from the Aana Seeveli( procession of God on elephants) a golden pot is also kept on a raised platform. People who make offerings to the pot are supposed to become lucky .Large number of programmes involving folk arts of Kerala and classical arts of South India are arranged during this festival. On the fourth day of the festival called “thrikketta purappadu”, it is believed that God himself is in the procession and not inside the temple.

Sankara Narayana Vilakku

This is a festival celebrated in the month of Dhanu(December-January) on the festival day of Thiruvathira. The God Shiva of the nearby “Perumthrikovil” visits the Poornathrayesa during the day.

Para Uthsavam

This is eight day long festival in the month of Kumbham(February-March) , where the god is received by the householders with one (Para –a measuring tin) full of materials which is offered to the God.

Uthram Vilakku

This also is celebrated in the month of Kumbham (February-March) and is considered as the birthday of the God. On this day , Goddess Lakshmi from the nearby temple of Pishari Kovil visits Purnathrayeesa and there is a joint procession.

Offerings

There is a Keda Vilakku (lamp which burns always) which is said to be the first lamp lit by Arjuna during the original consecration of the idol. Arjuna collected some gingely seeds and made oil out of the seeds to light the lamp. In memory of this event, the Lord is offered ‘Olpenna” (offering of gingely oil) which is considered as the most important Vazhipadu (offering) in this temple.

Significance

It is believed that childless couples are blessed with children on worshipping Sree Poornathrayeesan as the Lord is in the form of Lord Santhana Gopalakrishna.

Accessibility

Cochin International Airport is located 20 km away. The nearest railway station is Tripunithura Railway Station. Tripunithura is 10 Kms from Ernakulam Junction. Frequent buses ply from the town to this place.

Temple Address

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple,
Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala,
India, Pincode – 682301.