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Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
- Changanacherry,Kerala
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Overview
The Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple or the Thirukkadithaanam Mahavishnu Temple, is located at Thirikkodithanam, Kottayam and is revered as one of the 108 divya desam temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
About the Temple
The Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is glorified in nalayrira Divya Prabandham,a Vaishnava canon, and Mangalaasan (devotional songs) were sang by azhwar saints. Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is considered as one of the five ancient temples in Chengannur, Kerala and one of the temples which is connected with the legends of Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. These five temples are believed to be built by the Pancha Pandavas (five princes), the five acknowledged sons of Pandu, who ruled Hastinapura (a town and a nagar panchayat in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh).
The five temples built by the Pancha Pandavas are
- Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudishtira
- Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple by Bheema
- Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple by Arjuna
- Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple by Nakula
- Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple by Sahadeva
About the Deity
The main deity of this temple is Lord Athpudha Narayanan, also known as Amirutha Narayanan, found in a standing posture facing towards east. And the goddess of the temple is Karpagavalli Thayaar. The other main shrines of this temple are the shrine of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Lord Narsimha (half man and half lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
Legend and Stories
Legend goes that the Pancha Pandavas after enthroning Parikshit, a kuru king who reigned during the Middle Vedic period (12th or 11th century BCE), as a king of Hastinapura, the Pancha Pandavas started a pilgrimage. And on arriving on the banks of Pamba River, it is said that each of them installed an image of Lord Krishna. The legend says that the servant of this temple has been cursed by Lord Athpudha Narayanan to take the form of a stone as he delayed to open the doors of the temple and made the devotees to wait to worship the god. And it is said that the stone is still present in the front of the temple. Lord Athpudha Narayana Perumal is said to have performed His Seva for Rukmaangadhan, one of the king of Surya generation, who had a good thought for the people and helped for their life. Ekadesi day is considered to be the auspicious day to visit the temple of Lord Athpudha Narayana Perumal. The sacred Theertham (temple tank) of this temple is called Bhoomi Theertham and Vimanam (the tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of this temple is called Punniya koti Vimanam.
Festivals
Annual Festival – January/February
Janmaashtami – September
Chithirai Tiruvonam – April/May
Vaikunda Ekadasi – December/January
Nearby Place To Visit
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
- Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple
- Narayana Swamy Temple
- Sree Vallabha Temple
- Vayaskara Ayyappan Temple
- Puthiyathrikovil Temple
Accessibility
The nearest airport is the Calicut International Airport. The nearest railway station to reach Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is located in Changanassery. The state run KSRTC buses are linked by major roads to other prominent cities in Kerala, and to other major cities.
Temple Address
Thirukkadithaanam Mahavishnu Temple,
Thrikkodithanam,
Kottayam District,
Kerala.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- For protection from evil
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.