The visit to this Sri Imayavarappan Temple at Thrichittat, Chenganur, was a part of the Malai Nadu Divya Desams visit from 10th to 14th 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.
The temple is on the banks of Thiruchitraru, a tributary of the Pampa River. This place was called Thrichittraru, Thiru Chenkundroor, and is now called Chengannur. This is one of the 108 Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu, and Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar (3480-3490).
வார்கடா அருவி யானை மாமலையின் மருப்புஇணைக் குவடுஇறுத்துஉருட்டி
ஊர்கொள் திண்பாகன் உயிர் செகுத்து அரங்கின் மல்லரைக்கொன்று சூழ்பரண்மேல்
போர்கடா அரசர் புறக்கிட மாடம்மீமிசைக் கஞ்சனைத் தகர்த்த
சீர்கொள்சிற்றாயன் திருச்செங்குன்றூரில் திருச்சிற்றாறு எங்கள் செல்சார்வே
…. நம்மாழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sree Imaya Varappan
Thayar : Sree Chengamalavalli Nachiyar
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a temple tank. Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are after the entrance mandapa. Balipeedam is in a mandapa, which joins with the nalambalam. Dwarapalakas are in the form of paintings at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum
Moolavar Sree Imaya Varappan is in a standing posture with shankha and chakra, which are interchanged, which is unusual.
In pradakshinapatha, ashtadikpalakas, and saptamatrikas. In the Thiruchuttambalam/Praharam, Balarama, Sastha, Bhagavathy, Nagaraja, and Yakshi.
Painting on the right side of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum
Saptamatrikas
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 kumudam, and parativari. The bhitti is plain without any windows or pilasters. The bhitti was built with laterite stones and plastered. The pranala is simple and plain and emerges through the yazhi’s mouth, supported by a bhuta gana. A conical, two-tala vimanam is on the prastaram. The vimanam is called Jagajyothi Vimanam.
The namaskara mandapam has a pyramidal roof in front of the sanctum sanctorum, which is open on four sides and supported by pillars. The nalambalam has entrances on the east and west sides and forms an enclosure for the Sreekovil.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Nammalwar has sung Pasuram on Sree Mayapiran of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 8th Century CE, built by the Cheras. Later, the temple received contributions from Cheras, Pandyas, Venadu, Travancore Kings, etc.
The temple is under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
LEGENDS
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/ Dharmaputhra,
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.
This is the place where Maha Vishnu showed his parakrama (Killing Hiranya, Hamsa, etc), Souriyam/ easiness, and bravery to the alwars.
Dharmaputhra killed Dronacharya after telling a lie that “Aswathama was already killed”. To get rid of the sin, Dharmaputhra came to this temple after knowing that Maha Vishnu gave darshan to Shiva and saved him from Rukmanthan. Maha Vishnu gave darshan to Dharmputhra after satisfying his penance.
In another legend, Shiva gave a boon to Rukmanthan / Padmasura that whoever touches their head will be turned to ash. After getting the boon, he wants to test it on Shiva itself. Fearing Padmasura, Shiva sought the help of Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu took the form of Mohini, made Padmasura touch his own head, and turned him to ash. After hearing the Varaprasathi Maha Vishnu, Dharmaputhra came to this temple, did a penance on Maha Vishnu, and got relieved from sin.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Thiruvonam, Aarattu festival (Oct- Nov), the Annual 10-day festival in the month of April – May, Vaishakha Maasa Acharanam, Gajamela in Vaishakha month (Many elephants with decoration participate in the procession), etc.
Nammalwar Pasuram
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 05.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +919446050829 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about a km from the Thrichittat Temple Junction on Kollam to Kottayam MC Road, 1.5 km from Chengannur, 5 km from Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple, 13 km from Aranmula Sri Parthasarathy Temple, 40 km from Kottayam, 48 km from Azhapuzha, and 58 km from Kollam.
The nearest Railway Station is Chengannur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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