Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple /Thiruvanvandoor Sree Mahavishnu Temple / തിരുവന്‍വണ്ടൂര്‍ ശ്രീ മഹാവിഷ്ണു ക്ഷേത്രം, Temple Road, Thiruvanvandoor, Alappuzha District, Kerala.

The visit to this Sree Pambanaiappan Temple at Thiruvanvandoor was a part of the Malai Nadu Divya Desams visit from 10^th to 14^th June 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care.

This place is on the banks of the River Pampa, and the river encircles this place. Hence, the Maha Vishnu is called Pampa Anaintha Appan, which has been corrupted to Pambanaiappan.

This is one of the 108 Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu, and Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar (3227 – 3237).

வைகல் பூங் கழிவாய் வந்து மேயும் குருகினங்காள்

செய் கொள் செந்நெல் உயர் திருவண்வண்டூர் உறையும்

கை கொள் சக்கரத்து என் கனிவாய்ப் பெருமானைக் கண்டு

கைகள் கூப்பி சொல்லீர் வினையாட்டியேன் காதன்மையே

…….. நம்மாழ்வார்

Moolavar  : Sree Pambanaiappan, Kamalanathan

Thayar     : Sree Kamalavalli Nachiyar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces west with a temple tank on the right side. The dwajasthambam and balipeedam are after the entrance mandapa. The dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Sree Pambanaiappan is in standing posture with shankha and chakra in the upper hands, the lower right hand holds a lotus flower and the right hand on a gatha. Garudan is in the namaskara mandapam. Ganapati and Dakshinamurthy are near the south side door of the sanctum sanctorum.

Saptamatrikas, ashtadikpalakas, a Shiva Linga are in the pradakshinapatha, ie, around the Sree kovil. In the Thiruchuttambalam Sree Goshala Krishna, Shiva Temple, Nagars, and Vinayagar temples.  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Thiruchuttambalam, nalambalam, pradakshinapatha, Sree Kovil, Namaskara Mandapam, dwajasthambam, and balipeedam. The Sree Kovil is circular in plan. The adhistanam with upanam was built with stone. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, muppattai, kumuda, and kapotam. The bhitti is plain with windows or pilasters. The bhitti was built with laterite stones and plastered. The pranala is simple and plain and emerges through Yazhi’s mouth, supported by a bhuta gana. A conical, two-tala vimanam is on the prastaram. The vimanam is called Vedalaya Vimanam.

The namaskara mandapam is with a pyramidal roof in front of the sanctum sanctorum, which is open on four sides and supported by pillars. The nalambalam with entrances on all 4 sides forms an enclosure for the Sree Kovil.   

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Nammalwar has sung Pasuram on Sri Pambanaiappan of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 8^th Century CE, built by the Cheras. Later, the temple received contributions from Cheras, Pandyas, Venadu, Travancore Kings, etc.

Renovations were done in 1885 and 1924 during the reign of Sree Mulam Thirunaal, and later in 1963.

It is said that the Gopala Krishna’s idol was stolen, and the same was recovered from the temple tank.

The temple is under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board. 

LEGENDS

As per the legend, this place was called Thirupandavanur (Pancha Pandavas), which might have been corrupted to the present name of Thiruvanvandoor.

This is one of the five ancient temples in and around Chengannur, Kerala. These five temples are connected with the Epic Mahabharata, where the Pancha Pandavas are believed to have built one temple each.

1. Sree Imaya Varappan Temple at Thrichittatt by Yudhishthira,

2. Sree Mayapiran Temple at Puliyur by Bheema. To signify this, a thanda is kept in front of the temple.

3. Sree Parthasarathy/ Thirukuralappan Temple at Aranmula by Arjuna,

4. Sree Pambanaiappan/ Kamalanathan Temple at Thiruvanvandoor by Nakula and

5. Sree Atputha Narayanan/ Amrutha Narayanan Temple at Thrikodithanam by Sahadeva.

Maha Vishnu gave darshan to Markandeya and Narada. For Alwars, Maha Vishnu gave the Rakshana/ safeguard kolam. 

As per the legend, Brahma called his 4 sons to help him with the creation. Naradar advised them not to do so, and instead asked them to come for Brahma thyana. Angered, Brahma cursed Narada to roam in the three lokas. Narada came to this place and prayed to Maha Vishnu to stay in the place and do service to him. Also expressed his wish to compose the Puranas. With the blessings of Maha Vishnu, Narda composed the Narada Purana, which has more than many thousands of verses, at this place.

In another legend, Markandeya Maharishi went through the nose of Maha Vishnu and saw seen the universe had happened at this place.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Krishna Jayanthi, Thiruvonam, Aswathy Jalotsavam in September, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Karkkidaka Vavu, Annual Festival, and Prathishtadinam in Midhunam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 05.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.45 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers +9189212 53262 and +9189212 53262 (WhatsApp) may be contacted for further details.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThiruvanvandoorMahakshetram/

E-mail. thiruvanvandoormahakshetram@gmail.com

Facebook:  thiruvanvandoor__mahakshetram

HOW TO REACH

Sri Pambanaiappan temple at Thiruvanvandoor is about 5 km from Thrichittatu Maha Vishnu Temple, 6 km from Chengannur Railway Station, 6.4 km from Sree Vallabha Temple, Thiruvalla, 36 km from Kottayam, and 39 km from Alappuzha.

The nearest Railway Station is Chengannur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---