Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple, also known as Adbhuta Narayanan Temple, is a famous temple located at Thrikodithanam in Kerala. It is about 2 km from Changanacherry in Kottayam District. Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu temple is among the five Pandava temples in Kerala that dates back to the 9th century. The Pandavas were the central character in Mahabharata. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered among the 108 Vishnu temples in India. It is believed that Sahadeva, youngest of Pandavas practised penance here and installed this temple. The presiding deity is Adbhuta Narayanan, made of Aanjana-kallu. The speciality of the temple is Narayanan is presiding here along with his consort Karpagavalli.
Architecture of Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple has been beautifully designed and constructed by the architects. The temple finds its mention in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alwar saints, Nammalvar, in the year 800. The temple is known for its beautiful and attractive mural paintings and stone inscriptions. The circular walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful mural paintings and the scenes from the popular pot dance and umbrella dance. The main attraction of the temple is the 16 panels of beautiful mural paintings in the circular wall around the sanctum.
The temple sanctum is double storied and is known for its architectural beauty. The Aadhisthaana, i.e. the base of the sanctum, is made of three ft high rounded granite stones. About 13 ancient inscriptions can be seen carved on the base stones in the Vaatezutthu Tamil script. Copper tile plates are used to cover the sloping roof. The main entrance of the shrikovil can be reached by climbing four steps of polished black granite. Nalambalam, the space around the sanctum, has a sacred platform called Beli Kallu. Dwaja Sthamba, the ceremonial flag mast ca ne seen here. It is said that in AD 700 the boundary wall of this temple was constructed.
There is a beautiful pound located close to the eastern entrance of the temple. Kazhivetti-kallu, a strange granite statue is positioned between the eastern entrance and the pond. This granite statue is of a man that is six feet in height. He is flat on his back, held up stiff and straight on a stone pillar with only his waist resting on the pillar while rest of the body is unsupported. The main deity of the temple, Adbhuta Narayanan is seen in standing posture. It is made of an unusual black stone called Aanjana-kallu. The temple also houses the idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Narasimha, Nagadevas, and Kshetrapala.
Sri Subramanya Temple is the nearby attraction.
Festival of Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram
The annual festival of Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple lasts for 10 days. It is celebrated during the lunar month of Vrishchigom i.e. November-December. The major highlight of the festival commences after dusk on the 9th day and carries on until the early hours of 10th day morning. During the festival there is a huge display of 1001 flares made of cloth bundles dipped in oil. These are placed on a pyramidal structure.
Presently Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). It is an autonomous body under Government of Kerala.
