Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple, Kerala

Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple is positioned in Thrikkakara, near Cochin district in the state of Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Thrikkakara Vamana Temple, Thrikkakara,Kerala

History
Architecture
Puja Timings
Festivals
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The Bhagavata Purana describes that Lord Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra, the King of the heaven, as it had been taken by Mahabali, an asura. Bali was the grandson of Prahlada, the renowned Vishnu devotee. King Mahabali was generous, and engaged in severe austerities and penance and won the praise of the world. Vamana, in the guise of a Brahmin, carrying a wooden umbrella, went to the king to request three paces of land. Mahabali consented, against the warning of his guru. Vamana, then revealed his identity and enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step. King Mahabali, unable to fulfill his promise, offered his head for his third step. Vamana then placed his foot and gave the king immortality for his humility. In giant form, Vamana is known as Trivikrama.

The temple complex, which is enclosed in a large area in picturesque surroundings, holds the main sanctum dedicated to the primary deity. The sanctorum of the main shrine houses the idol of Maha Vishnu. The idol is in the form of Lord Vamana preparing to place his foot on the Asura King Mahabali. Lord Vamana is said to have established the temple. The temple also houses records containing the earliest mention of the celebration of the Onam festival dating to 861 A.D.

The Brahmaraksha shrine is located in the outer complex, along with a Banyan-tree god and the Sarpa Kavu. Surrounding the inner complex walls is a series of thousands of lamps called Chuttuvilakku which translates to surrounding lamps. There are two ponds associated with the temple. One is the Kapilatheertham located closer to the temple on the Northern side of the sanctum, and is accessible only to priests. The other pond is located on the Northern side outside the temple walls.

Apart from the shrines and ponds, the temple complex houses three stages or halls for cultural performances called Naimishaaranyam, and a temple auditorium at the South-west corner. The auditorium is regularly used for weddings and meeting, and for conducting the Onam feast during the festival.

The temple is open for devotees from 4.30 AM to 11 PM and from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Onam is the major festival celebrated in this temple, which falls on the month of August or September. This festival attracts a large number of devotees. In earlier times, the festival was jointly organized by the 61 Naduvazhis. During the 10 day festival, many cultural performances and feasts are celebrated in the temple.

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vamanamoorthy. Other deities in the temple include Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya, Goddess Yakshi, Goddess Bhagavathy and the other Brahmarakshas.

By Road

Thrikkakara is 3.5 kms from Edapally. Buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis are available almost all the time to reach the temple.

By Rail

The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at a distance of 21 kms from the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at a distance of 21 kms from the temple.