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
Hotel Elite TVS Rd, South Kalamassery, Kalamassery, Kochi,
Kerala 682033 Phone:099950 17855 Galaxy Hotel Vayu Sena Road, Palachuvadu,
Vazhakkala, Ernakulam, Kerala 682030 Phone:0484 242 4162
Supermarket : Available
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