This temple is situated in
Thrikkakara, a village near Cochin in Kerala. This temple is one of the 108 holy Divya desams of Lord Vishnu.It is a 13th Century temple and was built by
the Chera King Kulasekhara Varma. The glory of the temple has been mentioned in
the ‘Sangam Ktrithikal’ (Tamil literature doing the Sangam period) and has also
been sung in many hymns by the Tamil Vaishnavaite Alwars like Nammalvar The current village
Thrikkakara was once the capital of the mythological king Mahabali who ruled
over Kerala.
The
lord Vamana temple in Thrikkakara is one of great mythological significance;
this temple has inscription from as early as the 10th century CE and
the largest number of stone manuscripts amongst the other traditional temples
in Kerala. This temple constructed in a rare type of temples architecture. The
temple complex is enclosed in a large and specious area in very picturesque
surroundings. A special aspect of this temple is its ‘Vritta’ (circular)
Vamana. The sanctum of the temple is dedicated to lord Vamana, (also called as
lord Vamanamoorthy), the fifth incarnation of the famed ‘Dasha Avatars’ (ten
incarnations) of lord Vishnu.
The
Bhagavata Purina describes that lord Vishnu descended on Earth as the ‘Vamana
avatar’ to restore the authority of lord Indra over the Heavens, as it had been
taken by mahabali, a great and pious Asura King. Mahabali was the grandson of Hiranyakasikudu
and the son of Prahladha. And just like his father, he developed a very gentle
and good loving nature, though he was born of the Asura. King Mahabali
performed severe austerities and penances and henceforth, became the undisputed
lord of three words. King Mahabali became me famous not only for this
sovereignty over all the world, but also for his kindheartedness and
generosity. Anyone who visited king Mahabali and asked him a favor would never
go back empty handed!
Lord Vishnu, the sole sustainer of
the entire Universe, decided to test for Himself the greatness of king
Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the guise of a short statured Brahmin carrying a
wooden umbrella and descended on Earth as lord Vamana. He went king Mahabali
and requested just three paces of land from him. King Mahabali was surprised at
the request of the small Brahmin. Nevertheless he agreed, against the warning
of his guru Sukracharya. The Asura guru Sukracharya was able to perceive that
Lord Vishnu himself had come to Mahabali, with the intention of favoring lord
Indra. Even though Guru Sukracharya warned king Mahabali, he did not change his
mind. King Mahabali argued with his Guru Sukracharya, that if lord Vishnu
himself had come to ask something from him, then nothing could be more
auspicious! King Mahabali considered it to be the greatest blessing of his
life. He calmly pledged the three places of land to the small Brahmin then,
lord Vamana revealed his true identity. He took his Viswaroopa from (Universal
from) and enlarged himself gigantic proportion, which occupied the entire
Universe. He stepped from heaven to Earth with the first step and from Earth to
the Netherworld with the second. King Mahabali was given the sovereignty of Pathala
(Netherworld). It is believed that the place where this Temple stands today was
once, the site where King Mahabali was sent to Patala by lord Vamana with his
blessed foot! Henceforth, this temple got its name “Thrikkakara” derived from
the Malayalam words Thiru, ‘Kaal and Kara’ meaning ‘Land with the sacred foot’.
King Mahabali requested with lord Vamana to have His presence always at that
place and also to allow him to visit that place every year. As per the request
of King Mahabali, a Swayambhu (self originated) idol of Mahavishnu emerged at
that place and a temple was constructed there later, in the course of time.
The devotees visiting Thrikkakara
temple first pray at the shrine of lord Shiva (also called as thekkumkara
thevar) before visiting the shrine of lord Vamana. There are two separate Sreekovils
for lord Vamana and lord Shiva in this temple. There are sub shrines to lord
Shasta and goddess Mahalakshmi that devotees can visit and pray in this temple.
The daily poojas to lord Vamana are conducted elaborately in this temple. In
all five poojas – Ushapooja, Eathruthapooja and three Sheevelis – Ethrutha
Sheeveli, Ucha sheeveli and athazha
Sheeveli are conducted daily.
It is believed that the Shivalinga
in this temple was once worshiped by Mahabali himself and is situated on the southern
side of the shrine of lord Vamana. There is a seat of King Mahabali located
just in front of the Sreekovils of lord Shiva!
The temple is considered to be the
centre of Oman celebrations all over the world, as Thrikkakara is considered to
have been the abode of the king Mahabali. The main festival of the Thrikkakara
Temple is during the season of Onam and is celebrated over a period of ten days
in the Malayalam month of chingam (the months of august – Sepmantember). The
temple installs a pyramidal statue symbolizing lord Vamana during the festive
period of Onam, as a symbol of honor At all the sites of the celebration. Lord Vamana
is named as Onathappan or Thrikkakara –append. The Onasadya (Onam feast) is held
in a grand manner in this temple. In which a large number of people take part,
cutting across all religious barriers in Kerala.
The Utsava (festival) in the temple
begin with kodiyettu on at ham by and ends with Arattu on Thiruvonam day.
Thiruvonam is the birthday of lord Vamana. The devotees who could not attend
this Utsavam in this temple celebrate it in their own home by making beautiful
Pookkalams and by offering special Naive yams (Prasad) to Thikkakkarayappan. This
temple showcases several performances in cultural are during these ten days
such as Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Chakra koothu Patakam, as well as dance and
musical performances like panchavadyam and thayambaka. This temple performance various
ceremonial rites involving the main deity and other deities like ‘Chaarthu’ and
‘Pakalpooram’ during the ten days period of Oman. The Chaarthu is a form of the
decoration of the idol of lord Vamana using sandal paste ornaments and
clothing. On each day, the idol decorated in the form of one of the ten Avatars
of Vishnu, like the Matsya (fish), Kurma (Tortoise), Varaha (boar), and
Narasimha (half-man half-lion) Trivkrama (another name of lord vamana),
Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and kalki. The Pakalpooram is a grand
procession which is held on the 9th day of the celebrations.
Onam is the biggest festival celebrated
in Kerala and symbolizes peace and prosperity to one and all As per Legend.
King Mahabali returns to Earth once every year, during the Onam festival and
people celebrate his return by prayers. Onasadya (Onam special community
Feasts) and Pookkalams (Floral decoration)! A visit to the sacred lord
Vamana moorthy temple in Thrikkakara is very soothing and touches a true
devotees heart, a feeling that can seldom be describe!
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