THRIPPADAPURAMSIVA AND VISHNU TEMPLE, SREEKARIAM, TRIVANDRUM-Compiled Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the famous Trippadapuram temple near Sreekariam,Trivandrum. Here the deities LordSiva and Lord Vishnu(Krishna) are givenequal importance. The two temples are just opposite each other. This is one ofthe temples where two annualfestivals are conducted. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 14-07-2025. Introduction The Thrippadapuram Mahadeva Temple, located near Kazhakootamand Sreekaryam in Thiruvananthapuram, is an ancient temple with a rich historyand unique legends. It is believed to be connected to the largerPadmanabhaswamy Temple and is known for its circular Sreekovil, copper-covered roofs, and the presenceof six Shivalinga pratishtas. Legend Once upon a time there was a sage Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar,who resided near Ananthapuram temple in Kasargod District, prayed to LordVishnu for his darshan . The Lord is believed to have come in the guise of alittle boy who was mischievous. The boy defiled the Idol which was kept for Puja. The sage becameenraged at this and chased away the boy with left hand backside, whodisappeared telling he can see him alone in the Ananthankadu. After a long search, when he was walking on the banks ofArabian Sea, he heard a pulaya lady threatening her child that she would throw him inAnanthankadu. The moment the Swami heard the word Ananthankadu he wasdelighted. He proceeded toAnanthankadu based on the directions the lady gave . The Sage reached Ananthankadu searching for the boy. There hesaw the boy merging into an Iluppa tree . The tree fell down and became Anantha Sayana Moorthy(Vishnu reclining on the celestial snake Anantha). But the edifice that the Lordassumed was of an extraordinarily large size, with His head at Thiruvallam,navel at Thiruvananthapuram, and lotus-feet at Thrippadapuram (Thrippappur). The Sage requested the Lord to shrink to a smaller proportionthat would be thricethe length of his staff. Immediately the Lord shrank to the form of the Idol that is seen atpresent in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Trivandrum . Key historical andlegendary aspects of the temple: Connection to Padmanabhaswamy Temple: The temple is believed to be where the feet of Lord Vishnuare located, with the head at Thiruvallam and the body at the PadmanabhaswamyTemple. My note- Some versions say head at Tiruvattar now inTamilnadu, Kanyakumari district. Architecture 1) There are twoentrances for this temple premises. One we have to descend steps the other isat ground level. And the area inside temple premises is not levelled; it has rocks in between little aboveground level. 2) Once you enter from ground level entrance, there is a temple at left withLord Ganesha and lord Ayyappa , as we move further one can see a smalltemple dedicated to Padmanabha swamy Padam(holy feet). Padam is clearly visible . 3) Thripadapura Kshetram is a place where Shiva and Keshavaare worshipped . The two sanctums are opposite facing each other. 4)In the south side of the temple there is a Kannuneertheertham and another Paapanasam theertham.Both are famous here. Chief Deities The main deities in Thrippadapuram Mahadeva Temple are LordShiva and Lord Krishna. Lord Shiva is the primary deity, depicted in hismost angry form, while LordKrishna, an avatar of Vishnu, is placed opposite Shiva, playing hisflute to appease the angrygod. The temple also features six Shivalinga prathishtas and twoseparate prathishta's for Mahavishnu's thrippadham. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Lord Shiva: The temple's main deity is Lord Shiva, specifically in hisfierce form, said to represent the energy and power of the deity after the evolution of Goddess Bhadrakali from histhird eye. The stories of GodShiva of Thrippadapuram are very famous. The God is said to grant his truedevotees with great fortunes. Lord Krishna: An idol of Lord Krishna, playing the flute, is placedopposite the Shiva lingam. It'sbelieved that Lord Krishna's flute music has a calming effect on Lord Shiva.Deity Siva is Swayambhu & Vishnu was founded by Viluvamangalathu Swamikal. Thrippadham: The temple also houses two separate shrines dedicated toMahavishnu's "thrippadham" (foot) - one large and one small. Other deities: There are also shrines for Ganapathy, Ayyappan, and Naga deities (serpent gods) withinthe temple complex. The legend of Thrippadapuram Temple centresaround the belief that it houses the holy feet (Thrippadam) of Lord Vishnu,whose navel is believed to be in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple according to locallegends. Here's a more detailed explanation: Location of Vishnu's Limbs: The legend suggests that Lord Vishnu manifested in anextremely large form, with his head at Thiruvallam, navel at Thiruvananthapuram (Padmanabhaswamy Temple), and feet at Thrippadapuram. Shiva's Temple: While Vishnu is a significant part of the temple's legend,the main deity is Lord Shiva, depicted in a fierce form according to templeinformation. Krishna's Role: An idol of Lord Krishna playing the flute is placed oppositethe Shiva Linga. It's believed that Krishna's music calms Shiva's anger. Daily Pooja Details: Opening: The temple opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 10:30 AM. Afternoon Break: The temple closes in the afternoon. Evening Reopening: The temple reopens at 5:00 PM. Closing: The temple closes for the day at 8:00 PM. Additional Information: The temple is dedicated to Lord Mahadeva (Shiva). A unique feature of the temple is the drip abhishekam offeredto Lord Mahadeva through a DharaPatra (a bowl with small holes) tied above the deity. The temple also has two large foot imprints on a rock,believed to be of Lord Shiva and Lord Unni Krishna. Main offerings Ghee & Kadali pazham to Mahadevan and Thrimadhuram &Palpayasam to Vishnu are the main offerings. Festivals: The temple celebrates two annual festivals, one for Shiva (MedaThiruvathira Mahotsavam) and one for Vishnu (Meena Rohini Mahotsavam). Other festivals celebrated include Ashtami Rohini,Vinayakachathurthi, Ayilyapooja, Thrikkodiyettu Utsavam, Mandalachirappu,Dhanuthiruvathira, Makarapooradam, Shivarathri Utsav, Vishu,Thiruvonam, and Navarathri,are the main festivals. Aarattu will be celebrated in the Chithira day ofThulam. 24 hours Ghee Dharawill be celebrated in the day of Shivaratri. Meena Rohini Maholsavam The Meena Rohini Maholsavam is a major festival celebrated atthe Thrippadapuram Mahadeva Temple. This festival, observed during theMalayalam month of Meenam on the day of Rohini star, involves elaborate ritualsand ceremonies dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees from various regions gatherin large numbers to participate in the festivities, seeking blessings andenjoying the vibrant cultural programs organized during this auspiciousoccasion. Vidyarambham, a significant ritual marking the initiation ofchildren into the world of letters, is celebrated with great reverence at theThrippadapuram Mahadeva Temple in Kulathoor, Thiruvananthapuram. During thisauspicious ceremony, held on Vijayadashami, children are guided by priests andelders to write their first letters, symbolizing the start of their educationaljourney. The event attracts numerous families who seek blessings from LordShiva for their children's academic success and overall development. Unique Features: There's a foot imprint on a rock, believed to be Vishnu's,and a small eye-shaped wellnear it. Locals believe that anything dropped into the well will reach thetemple pond. It is also believed that the water from well can cure eyediseases. Shiva and Krishna: While Shiva is the main deity in his Ugramoorthy (angry)form, a deity of Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) is placed opposite theShiva linga. It is said that Krishna's flute music calms Shiva's anger. Footprints and Legends: There are two sets offootprints on a rock in the temple's southern prakara, one attributed to LordShiva and the other to Lord Krishna. These are believed to be sources of agriculturalprosperity. Kannuneer Theertham: A unique eye-shaped well, called Kannuneer Theertham, isbelieved to be formed byParvathi's tears and is associated with vision-related blessings. Temple Entry: Like many temples in Kerala, only those professing the Hindufaith are permitted entry, and a dress code is enforced. Temple timings The Thrippadapuram Mahadeva Temple is opened daily from 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Visiting together "Devotees must visit Thrippaadapuram,Thiruvananthapuram and Thiruvallam temples in a single day to get the fullblessings of God Padmanabha ( Mahavishnu) and God Mahadeva. Location The temple is located 1.5 km from Kariavattom(KeralaUniversity new blocks/Engineering college) towards Thrippadapuram junction. Address of the temple Thripadappuram Rd, Sreekaryam, Kerala, 695583. The phone number is 097476 38843. Administration The temple is under the administration of Travancore Devaswomboard . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/369150716.822244.1752466919289%40mail.yahoo.com.
