Situated in Thrikkakara, Ernakulam district, Thrikkakara Temple is one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana. The temple is also listed as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The traditional festival of Kerala, Onam is closely related with this temple. This temple is the place of origin for the Onam festival of Kerala. The temple is mentioned in many of the hymns sung by the Tamil Vaishnavite Alwars, particularly Nammalvar of the 7th-9th century CE. The temple is believed to be around two millennia old.

Location Kerala, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legends, Lord Vishnu descended on earth as Lord Vamana to restore the authority of Lord Indra as it had been taken by King Mahabali. King Mahabali was a demon King who won the praise of the world with his generous and kind behaviour. Once, King Mahabali conducted a Yagna. Lord Vamana appeared there and requested the king to give him three paces of land. Upon realizing that it was Lord Vishnu who came in the disguise of Lord Vamana, demon Guru, Sukracharya warned King Mahabali not to fall in the words of the Vamana. But, being a generous king, King Mahabali promised Vamana to give the land. Lord Vamana grew to immense size and covered the heavens with one single step and the earth with another. As there was no space left to measure the third pace, Vamana asked Mahabali as to where to put the third pace. Realizing that the the Vamana is none other than Lord Vishnu, Mahabali offered his own head to place the third pace. Before offering his head, Mahabali made a last request to Vamana that he should be allowed to visit his people once in a year. Mahabali was pushed down to netherworld. Lord Vamana granted the wish of Mahabali. According to the legend, the incident happened where the temple stands now.

Architecture

The temple is believed to have established by Sage Parasurama. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has the idol of Maha Vishnu in the form of Lord Vamana preparing to place his foot on the Asura King Mahabali. Surrounding the inner complex walls is a series of thousands of lamps called Chuttuvilakku. There are two ponds associated with the temple. One is the Kapilatheertham located closer to the temple on the Northern side of the sanctum sanctorum, and is accessible only to priests. The other pond is located on the Northern side outside the temple walls, and is used regularly during the Aaraattu ceremonial bath of the idol during Onam celebrations.

Culture

The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts of India and abroad. It has got a pre- historic genesis, but constant exposure to other cultures has instilled a cosmopolitan nature to it. Kerala welcomes and respects other cultures and assimilates good elements into its structure. It keeps a unique identity among other South Indian cultures.

Darsan Info

There are two seperate sreekovils for Lord Vamana and Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in this temple is believed to be worshiped by Mahabali himself and is situated on the southern side of Vamana shrine. Another interesting aspect is that though Thrikkakkara Appan or Vamana is worshipped during Onam celebrations, Mathevar or Mahadevar is also worshipped with equal fervour and the reason remains unexplained.

Darsan Dresscode

No Special Dress Code. Traditional Dresses are mostly preferred.

Temple Rituals

Tantri Pooja and Prasadam Oottu on Thiruvonam day of every Malayalam Era month and Aayilyam Pooja on that star sign day.

Special Rituals

Thrikkakara temple is considered to be the hub of Onam celebrations across the world. Since this is considered to be the seat of King Mahabali, the Onam celebrations is the considerd very special. The festival is celebrated over a period of ten days in the Malayalam month of Chingam. During the Onam celebration period, a pyramidal statue symbolizing Lord Vamana is installed as a symbol of honour at all other sites of the celebration, and named Onathappan or Thrikkakara-appan.

Additional Info

 

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