Thriprayar Shri Rama Temple

While visiting Lakshmana PerumaaL temple at Thirumozikkulam yesterday I was wondering about Rama Temple. Then after reading the history I found the following facts. 

Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. The Kaimal being an ardent devotee hastened to the sea shore there lay four idols as indicated in the dream. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream. 

Rama at Thriprayar. 

Bharata at Irinjalakuda, 

Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and 

Shathrughna at Payammal.

Since we are not sure whether we will have time to visit the other temples we started from Cochi to Guruvayur this morning. On the way I found the board showing directions to Thriprayar Shri Rama Temple at Thrissur. Thrilled to see we determined to stop and worship Lord Rama. We are glad we did. I went inside and had an excellent dharshan at 12 Noon just before closing for the afternoon. Amazing temple with Kerala style architecture. 

The diety Lord Rama in the Triprayar Temple is popularly known as Triprayarappan or Triprayar Thevar. 

The idol of Lord Rama was initially worshipped by Lord Krishna at Dwaraka. After the swargarohana of Lord Krishna the idol was immnesed in the sea. Later some fisher men got the idol from the sea near Chettuva region of Kerala and the local ruler Vakkayil Kaimal constructed a temple at Triprayar and installed the idol. 

The image of Rama (Triprayar Thevar) resembles the Chaturbhuja Vishnu form with four arms, bearing a conch(Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda) and a garland respectively. It is believed that the deity worshipped here possesses some of the aspects of Shiva too. It was after killing the asura, Khara that Sri Rama got both the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects. Thus Triprayar Thevar is also called Khara Samhara Moorthy.

It is also believed that the portrayal of Rama with a garland held in the image's hand is also suggestive of aspects of Bhrahma and hence the deity is said to be a manifestation of the Trimoorthis 

Thirukkakara Vamana Murthy Temple

The legend is closely linked with the story of Mahabali and Lord Vishnu's Vamana or Trivikrama incarnation. 

Mahabali was an efficient and popular Asura king. His kingdom stretched the earth, the patala (the underground), and was threatening the skies. The gods (suras) grew worried of Mahabali's rule and popularity. Vishnu, in his avatar as Vamana, asked Mahabali for a piece of land only three paces wide. Bali, ever the generous king, granted this wish, whereupon Vamana grew to an immense size and covered the heavens with one step and the earth with another. There was no space left for Vamana to measure his third pace. "Where is my third foot of space?" asked Vamana. Tricked by this deceit, but as one who would never go back on his promises. Mahabali offered his own head for Vamana to place his third step. These events were happened at this place. As he was pushed down into Suthala, King Bali made a last request. He requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year to ensure that his people were still happy, well fed and content. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant Mahabali his wish. Mahabali comes to visit his people and his land during Onam. 

This is the legend behind the Onam festival. Another legend associated with this temple is that Kapila maharshi did penance here and Vishnu pleased with the rishi’s penance appeared before the rishi. At the behest of the rishi, Vishnu decided to stay in this place.

My father came with me to the temple. 

History of Kerala

According to the legends, Lord Parasurama created the land between Gokarna and Kanyakumari. Lord Parasurama the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was the son of Sage Jamadagni and Renuka. As a mark of repentance for Kshatriya Nigraha sin, Parasurama meditated at Gokarna and invoked Lord Varuna (the Lord of the Oceans). Parasurama asked him for a boon. To absolve himself of the sins he had committed, he wanted to donate some land to the Brahmins. There was no land available because he already donated the whole land he obtained by the 21 round Kshatriya Nigraha to Sage Kashyapa. Lord Varuna told Parasurama that he would give him as much land as he wished. He told him to fling his Parasu (axe) from where he stood at Gokarna. The land from Gokarna till the point where the axe landed would be given to him was the boon that Lord Varuna promised him. The throw of the `axe' from Gokarna to Kanyakumari created Kerala. Parasurama donated this land to the Brahmins and settled Brahmins there in 64 gramams or villages.
32 out of the 64 gramams are in the Tulu speaking region (in between Gokarnam and Perumpuzha) and the remaining 32 gramams are in the Malayalam speaking region(in between Perumpuzha and Kanyakumari) in Kerala. 

Thirumoozhikkulam Sree Lakshmana Perumal Temple

Visited this evening a very interesting temple where Lakshmana Perumal is the main moolavar. What a timing. We reached there at 6 PM thinking that the Mangala Haarathi is a 630 per website. But right when we enter the temple the Mangala Haarathi has started as though they were waiting just for us. We considered this as a blessing.

All houses in the street where PerumaaL purappaadu is coming ladies in traditional kerala dress lit the lamp and keep outside the house welcoming PerumaaL.

In pasurams of Nammalvar and Thirumangaialwar, Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal is refered as Moozhikkalattappan and Tayar (Mahalakshmi) as Madhuraveni Naachiyaar.

The mythology behind the name of this place goes like this. Hareetha Maharshi did penance and meditation on the banks of river Poorna(Periyar). Lord Mahavishnu got impressed by the dedication of the Maharshi and appeared before him on the beginning of the Kali yuga. Lord Vishnu gave some advices to Hareetha Maharshi to overcome the difficulties in Kali yuga. These advices are called "thiru mozhi" meaning sacred words. And there after this place got its name as "thirumozhi kalam" – kalam means place. Later Thirumozhikkalam became Thirumoozhikkulam.

The temple was sacked by during Tippus invation, like the temple at Thiruvanjikkulam. The image of the presiding deity is in a damaged state . A silver kavacham or armour was made as a covering for the image; however soon after installation of the kavacham an attempt was made to steal it. Afterwards a Devaprasnam was conducted, which insisted that the Perumal wanted to be in that state only, he didn't want to hide the damage or replace the original idol. Since then it stays like that.

History and Legend:

This shrine is associated with legends from the Ramayana. Bharata, the brother of Rama and Lakshmana, came to invite Rama, then in exile, to take over the reins of the kingdom, an angry Lakshmana suspecting Bharata's intentions intended to kill him; however, Bharata's innocence was very soon revealed, and then the two of them offered worship together at Tirumoozhikkalam. The name Tirumoozhikalam is said to have originated from the phrase tiru mozhi kalam the site where sweet words were uttered.

Another belief is that at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Dvaraka was swallowed by the sea and four idols of Sreerama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrukhna which Lord Sree Krishna worshipped, were also washed into the sea. Some fishermen subsequently caught these four idols near Thriprayar and they were given to Vakkay Kaimal, Naduvazhi. Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream. Rama at Thriprayar. Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and Sathrughna at Payammal. It is believed that worship at all these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious. In the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July 15 to August 15) - the Ramayana Masam, thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimge, which is popularly known as "Nalambalam Yatra" - a pilgrimage to the four temples.

Sree Vallabha Temple at Thiruvalla, Kerala

Had the fortunate opportunity to visit this temple today morning with my Dad and we thanked God we did. What an amazing Kerala style Architecture. Maha Vishnu sthalam and one of the 108 Divya Desams where Maha Purusha Vishnu is giving Dharshan to all as Sree Vallabha.

Sage Durvasa and Saptarishi^[7] are said to reach the temple every midnight for worshipping the Lord. 

Travel from Kovalam and Alleppey and temples visited

Had a great walk in the beach at Kovalam. Fringe benefit of staying at the beach resort.



After simple breakfast we left to Alappuzha a long drive. If we had left early we could have covered some temples in the morning hours before they close at 11 AM. But we could not. On the way there is a place called Chengannur which hosts 5 Diya Desams, built by Pancha Pandavas.  Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit as king of Hastinapura left on a pilgrimage. On arriving on the banks of river Pamba, each one is believed to have installed a tutelary image of Krishna;

Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, 
Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple by Bheema, 
Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple by Arjuna, 
Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple by Nakula and 
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple by Sahadeva.

Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, Maha Vishnu is in the name Imayavarappan. Maha Vishnu is in nindra thirukkolam - small and beautiful. Temple is small but beautiful. Approach and the surroundings need to be maintained. Temple got its glory as Mangalasasanam by Nammazhvar. 


Another great temple visited and a must see for all is Aranmula Parthasarathy temple. A really big temple with deceivingly small entrance. Lord Krishna is in small form similar to Guruvayur (heading there in two days).


We went there at around 3 PM thinking that Dharshan will be at 5 per google but we got the dharshan at 630 which is when they open. At around 5 PM we thought that no one is coming to the temple to visit. At 530 like how birds take sanctum at their nests, people started flowing in to form a line. It remained me Lord Krishna's saying in Gita -Take refuge in Me. Unbelievable amount of devotees poured in between 530 and 6 PM. Although initial push was there at 630 when doors opened, in general people were well disciplined in forming line and worshiping. The Mangala Haarathi at 630 is a feast to eyes. Lord Krishna with his Chandana Kaapu stands small at a height inside his Shrine.






A very nicely maintained temple. The streets around the temple are also very well maintained and clean. No beggars outside the temple in Kerala. In fact I did not see beggars here at all.

Travel to Thiruvattar

After attending the beauiful wedding of Gayatri and Vignesh, and after enjoying traditional Malayalee lunch (Sadhya), left to visit Adi Kesava PerumaaL at Thiruvattar. A very significant Sthalam glorified by Nammazhwars Mangalasasanam (11 pasurams). This is 76th Divya Desam and one of the 13 Malai Naadu Divya Desams. PerumaaL is in Kidantha ThirukkOlam facing west with his left hand relaxed down. This temple is much older to Padmanapa Swamy Temple. Past 410 years no Kumbabhishekam was done and now renovations is going one. Padamanapa Swamy is facing east looking at Adi Kesava PerumaaL.

Like in Padmanapa Swamy, here too one can see PerumaaL through three doorways. While Padmanapa Swamy is 18 feet this PerumaaL is 22 feet. This PerumaaL's thriumEni is made of 16008 Shaligrams.

It took us about 2 hours to reach the temple and we had to wait till 5 PM o get the Dharshan since the temple was closed till 5 PM. An engineering Marvel which we could not clearly see is the single stone Mandapam in front the Garbagraham which is 18 ft width and 3 feet tall. 

After the Dharshan left Thiruvattar and reached Kovalam driving about 2 hours. Stayed at a beach front resort.