THEANJUMOORTHY TEMPLE  NEAR ANIKKODE,PALAKKAD DISTRICT, KERALA -COMPILED

Dear friends,

Today my posting is about Anjumoorthy temple near Anikkode inthe Palghat 
District of Kerala. It is one of the 108  Vaishnavitedivyadesams. One of the 
108 Sivalayams also.

Hope a divine reading.

Gopalakrishnan 28-4-2025

At a glance

The Anjumoorthy Temple  near Anikkode and Kottayi in Palakkaddistrict, Kerala, 
India, is a significant Hindu temple primarily dedicated toLord Shiva. It's 
also considered one of the 108 Shiva temples. The temple is situatedon the 
banks of the Bharathappuzha river. 

Key Features:

Deities: While predominantly a Shiva temple, it also featuresVishnu as one of 
the five deities (Anchu Moorthy.

Architectural Style: The temple showcases Kerala-stylearchitecture. 

Significance: It's recognized as one of the 108 Divyadesamdedicated to Vishnu. 

Location: Located at Anjumoorthy village, also known asAnjumoorthy Mangalam.

History: The temple is believed to be around 1500 years old. 

Management: The temple is managed by the Travancore DevaswomBoard of the 
Government of Kerala. 

Festivals: The Thiruvonam festival and the Vaikunta Ekadasiare major festivals 
celebrated at the temple.

Temple Hours:

Morning 5.30AM - 10AM, Evening 5PM - 7.30PM 

Call: +91 9447354285

Introduction

Sri Anchumurthy temple, a divine spark of Anikode village ofMathur panchayath 
in Palakkad district, 1100 years old temple, where Lord Ganapathy, Lord Shiva, 
Parvati devi, Lord Vishnu, and LordAyyappa are worshiped with equal relevance. 

This temple locates in the lap of nature, on the banks ofNila(Bharathappuzha) 
river, which flows northwards. Nilariver is worshiped here as Holy Ganga.

As a Shiva temple, it is regarded as 108 Shivalayam ofShaivas. Constructed in 
the Kerala style of architecture, It is one of the 108Divyadesam dedicated to 
Vishnu, who is worshipped as Uyyavandha Perumal and hisconsort Lakshmi as 
Vithuvakootuvalli.

This 4.5 Acre rare sacred sport was once a Brahmin Agraharam.The sanctity of 
this holy place was faded and after many years, on the adviceof Dr. N. 
Gopalakrishnan, Director of Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage,the 
operators of the institute with the natives started the restoration of 
thisshrine. This was commenced under the noble guidance of the Vasthu Vidwan, 
Sri.Krishnan Embrathiripad in 2008 January.

Sri Anchumurthy temple is an example to show, how a templecan be restored by 
blending the basic noble values of our rich heritage, withminimum expense. This 
Holy Shrine’s renovation, Ashta bandha reinstallation[Ashtabanda Puna 
Prathishta] and Maha Kumbabhishekam was done in July 2008.

Architecture

There are five shrines in the temple, one each of Shiva,Vishnu as 
Abhayapradhan, Vithuvakootuvalli, Vinayaga and Sastha. The temple ison the 
banks of Bharathappuzha at Thirumittacode of Palakkad District in Keralastate 
in India. The templeis built in Kerala style architecture, common in all 
temples in theSouth Indian state of Kerala in Eastern axis.

 The temple has nogateway tower and has an arch from the main road. A small 
rectangular wallaround the temple, called Kshetra-Madilluka pierced by the 
gateways, enclosesall the shrines of the temple. The metal plated flag post or 
Dwajasthambam islocated axial to the temple tower leading to the central 
sanctum. Chuttuambalamis the outer pavilion within the temple walls. The 
central shrine and theassociated hall is located in a rectangular structure 
called Nalambalam, whichhas pillared halls and corridors. Between the entrance 
of Nalambalam to thesanctum, there is a raised square platform called Namaskara 
Mandapa which has apyramidal roof. Thevrapura, the kitchen used to cook 
offering to the deity islocated on the left of Namaskara Mandapa from the 
entrance. Balithara is an altar is used formaking ritualistic offering to 
demi-gods and the festive deities. 

Inscriptions

The temple contains a rare Chola record of emperor Rajendra I(r. 1012–1044 AD) 
from Kerala.

Legend

It is believed that this temple is one of the 108 Shivatemples of Kerala and is 
installed by sage Parasurama dedicated to Shiva. 

As per Hindu legend, both an elephant and Lakshmi, theconsort of Vishnu were 
worshiping Vishnu with lotus flowers. Once all the lotusflowers were taken away 
by Lakshmi making Gajendra, the elephant to pray toVishnu. Vishnu gave a boon 
to Lakshmi to be along with him and let the wholelotus garden be taken up by 
Gajendra. 

The place is a MumurthiKshetra as the Trinity of Hinduism, Shiva, Vishnu and 
Brahma are worshipedhere. 

Deities

A union of 5 divine traditions, Ganapathyam, SaivamShaktheyam, Vaishnavam and 
Sauram, are followed here. Our Services

Based on the sanctum sanctorum & Vasthu philosophy ofGanapathya tradition Sri. 
Aanandha Maha Ganapathi is facing west, this sanctorum is relevant here.The 
face is turned to right to hear, the problems of devotees, through theright 
ear. The right leg of the Lord is towards down, to remove all theobstacles and 
the worldly snake around the waist is a notable feature of thisMoorthi. 

Water squirt (Jaladhara), Karuga Garland, Modhakam,Neyyappam, Lemon Garland & 
Coconut are the main offerings to LordGanapathi.

Sri Uma Maheswaran, a Banalinga installation, facing East is showering 
affluence and prosperity to the devotees. As umamaheswara Idol is surroundedby 
Parvathi Devi on the right, Holy Ganga on the left and Nandikeshwaran in 
thefront, pradakshinam can be completed.

 As Lord Shiva is facing East, Poojasare offered believing Siva and Dhakshina 
Moorthi in one form. The devotees themselves can takewater from the temple well 
to do water squirt (Jalathara) to Lord siva is aunique feature of this temple. 

Other main offerings are Squirt (Dhara), Koovala Garland,Conch unction 
(Shangabhishekam), Uma maheswara pooja, Pradhosha pooja, riceunction 
(Annabhishekam), Rudhrabhishekam & Nandipooja.

In shaktheya tradition,Goddess Dhurga, Lakshmi & Saraswathi in the form of 
Mahathripurasundari, showering all affluence to devotees.Goddess auspiciously 
stands with lotus bud in hand. For all prosperities,Unction with turmeric & on 
the day of “Akshaya Thridhiya” gold unction andMangalya pooja are the main 
ceremonies here.

In vaishnava tradition, Mahavishnu wearing conch,Wheel and mace facing west is 
another sanctorum. The idol is made on Anjanarock.

The idol is in real incarnation from. As Goddess Lakshmiresides in the Lotus 
heart of Mahavishnu, Thulasi garland, Lakshmi Narayanapooja etc, are conducted. 
Marriages also gets solemnized here. Cheese, milkpudding, Panaka offering, 
Vishnu Sahasranama Archana and Vidhya RajagopalaManthrarchana for excellent 
education are the main ceremonies.

Lord Harihara in“Pathmasana” with the Urn (vessel) of Amrutha and wearing 
Jadamakudam, offering west wardsDharshanam. Nearby residesLord Dhanwanthqry 
sanctum with vaidyanatha belif. 

Poojas

The poojas are conducted in Saura Shashta tradition. 

Festivals

The Thiruvonam festival and the Vaikunta Ekadasi during themonth of Thai are 
the major festivals celebrated in the temple. 

The main annual festival for ten days each year in the monthof Medam 
(April/May). 

Other festivals of Siva and Vishnu temples are also conducted

Devotees offer

For the abatement of sickness and for having children, Honeyunction, 
Neeranjanam, Sesame seed wick, Shaneeswara pooja & Pudding are themain 
offerings.

Sandeepani SadhanaNilayam

On April 1st 2009 A secular Vedic Learning Center,“Sandeepani Saadhanalayam” 
was started, opening new doors to self -realization. Now around 17 temples in 
Palakkad district are noble platforms inimparting daily routines, Vedic Mantrs, 
temple instruments & BhagavatGeetha classes.

Speciality

In Karkkidakam and Thulam “Pithruyajnam” the most relevant inthe five 
Mahayajnas, is conducted here on theanks of river “Nila”. Hindusperform last 
rites on the banks of the river in the temple similar to that ofVaranasi.

Administration

 The temple is openfrom 4 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm and is administered by 
Travancore DevaswomBoard of the Government of Kerala.

Temple Address

Anikode Anchumurthy Temple

Palapotta, kariyamkode (po)

Kottayi - 678 572,

Palakkad, Kerala, India. +91 9447354285

 [email protected],[email protected] 

Location

The temple is about 5 km south of Pattambi in Palakkaddistrict. The 
Palakkad-Shornur-Kozhikode train route passes through Pattambi. 

Sanctums

The central shrine called Sreekovil houses the image of thepresiding deity. It 
is on an elevated platform with a single door reachedthrough five steps. As per 
Kerala rituals, only the main priest called Thantriand the second priest called 
Melshanthi alone can enter the Sree Kovil. Thecentral shrine has a circular 
plan with the base built of granite, superstructurebuilt of laterite and 
conical roof made of terrocata tile supported from insideby a wooden structure.

Lord Vishnu temple

This temple is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108temples of Vishnu revered by 
the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. During Mahabharata period, thePandavas built the 
temple here. Arjuna established the temple andthis is standing as Moolavar, 
main deity here. It is said that during Mahabharataperiod, the Pandavas reached 
the banks of Bharathapuzha during their exile andinstalled the idol of Vishnu. 
It is also said that the Ayodya king Ambareeksha got moksha atThirumittakode. 

The Maha Vishnu of the temple is called Abhaya Pradhan Templeor Uyyavantha 
Perumal Temple. It is believed that Arjuna, one of the brothers,performed 
penance at this site. Abhaya Pradhan is revered in Nalayira DivyaPrabhandam, 
the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Kulasekara Alvar. Thetemple is 
classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that arementioned in 
the book

Temple timings

The temple is open from 5 am to 10.30 am and 5 pm to 7.15 pm 

Administration

The temple  isadministered by Malabar Devaswom Board of the Government of 
Kerala. 

Prathishta / Presiding Deity : Sudarsanam

Upadevatha / Sub Deities : Balasubramanian, Ganapathy andSasthavu

Maha Sudarsanam is the strongest weapon of Lord Mahavishnu.Sundarsanam is used 
by Maha Vishnu towards enemies with cuts enemies head andreturn back to his 
hand. It is believed that sudarsana is separating head frombody, denoting 
seperating "Maya" and giving moksha.

You can see sub deities of Balasubramanian, Ganapathy andSasthavu here. It 
issaid that one who visits with empty hand is inauspicious.

Thrimadhuram is the main offering. Vaishnava puja alsoconducted in this temple 
with all ritual importance.

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