The visit to this Sree Katkarai Appan Temple at Thrikkakara 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.
As per the local legend, this place, Thrikkakara, was once called Thrikalkkara, where “Tir + Kaal + Kala” means “Place of the Sacred Feet” (As per Maha Vishnu’s Vamana avatar legend). The same has been corrupted to the present name of Thrikkakara.
This Thrikakkara Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu, and Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar (3612- 3622).
இதுவோ பொருத்தம்? மின்ஆழிப் படையாய்! ஏறும் இரும்சிறைப்புள்
அதுவே கொடியா உயர்த்தானே!' என்றுஎன்று ஏங்கி அழுதக்கால்
எதுவேயாகக் கருதுங்கொல் இம்மாஞாலம் பொறைதீர்ப்பான்
மதுவார் சோலை உத்தர மதுரைப் பிறந்த மாயனே?
உருகுமால் நெஞ்சம் உயிரின் பரமன்றி
பெருகுமால் வேட்கையும் என்செய்கேன் தொண்டனேன்
தெருவுஎல்லாம் காவிகமழ் திருக்காட்கரை
மருவிய மாயன்தன் மாயம் நினைதொறே.
…. நம்மாழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sree Katkarai Appan
Thayar : Sree Vatsalyavalli, Perunselva Nayagi
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east. The open mukha mandapa before the dwajasthambam, a metal lamp, and thulabaram.
Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are after the gopuram. The balipeedam is in a mandapam on the way to the Sree Kovil. The balipeedam is about 7 feet tall and covered with brass plates. A nine-panel with Hindu deities is above the balipeedam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Katkarai Appan is in a standing posture.
In pradakshinapatha Saptamatrikas, Ashtadikpalakas, and a Shiva lingam.
In Thiruchuttambalam, Yakshi, Bhagavathy, Ayyappan, Goshala Krishna, Nagars, Temple tank, Yakshi, and Brahma Rakshasa,
Sree Mahadeva Temple…. A Shiva temple is on the right side of Maha Vishnu’s temple. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sree Kovil temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. In the praharam, Parvati, Durga, Ganapati, and Subramaniar.
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 and bhitti are built with stone. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, threepatta kumuda. The bhitti is with windows and pilasters. The bhitti was built with laterite stones. The pranala is like a canon, emerges through Yazhi’s mouth, supported by a tub. A conical, eka tala vimanam is on the Sree Kovil. The vimanam is called Pushkala Vimanam.
The namaskara mandapam has a pyramidal roof in front of Sree Kovil, which is open on four sides and supported by pillars. The nalambalam has entrances on all four sides from an enclosure to the Sreekovil.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Nammalwar has sung Pasuram on Sree Katkarai Appan, of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 8th Century CE, built by the Cheras. Later, the temple received contributions from Cheras, Chozhas, Pandyas, Venadu, Travancore Kings, etc.
This temple was in a dilapidated condition till the 19th Century. At the request of devotees and the Archaeological Department's report, the temple was reconstructed by the Travancore King. The Thrikkakara Vamana Moorthy Temple in Ernakulam district is one of the ancient temples of Sankethams in Kerala. It has a Vatta Sree Kovil. Its adhishtanam (basement) and walls are made of granite. There are several inscriptions on this adhishtana.
Apart from this, there are inscriptions on the way to the sanctum sanctorum and on its steps. There are inscriptions on the floor of the passage inside the Nalambalam to enter the inner Balivatta and on the granite steps on the right side of the passage.
The dates of these inscriptions are late in the 10th and early 11th centuries. The language is Malayalam, and the script is Vattezhuthu. About 18 inscriptions dating back to the 10th to 13th centuries are recorded from this temple and published in the Travancore Archaeological Series in 1916, by Mr. T.A. Gopinatha Rao (1916) and Mr. K.V. Subramania Iyer (1923).
(As per the legend, this place was called Thirukalkarai, the capital of Kalkarainadu under the Chera King Kulasekhara Empire, which lasted till 1102 CE). Most of the inscriptions belong to the reign of Kulasekhara king Indukothai Varma (944 – 962 CE) and Bhaskara Ravi Varman I (963 – 1019 CE).
One of the inscriptions mentions the existence of Arunoottuvar or the 'Group of 600' who helped and controlled the naduvazhis (Chieftains appointed by the King)
The inscriptions describe the celebration of Onam as an occasion when all local chieftains assembled at Thrikkakkara to pay their respect to the Kulasekhara Chakravarthi (Emperor). The inscriptions describe the celebrations in detail and the roles assigned to each king. It is not clear whether the festival had any religious significance at that time. The festival of Onam, which first began to be celebrated at Thrikkakkara, has spread from there, spanning caste and creed, penetrating the farthest corner of the world where Malayalees have reached, even as the cold inscriptions from a bygone era remain silent spectators for all the pomp and splendor of the celebrations raging around every year.
Ref
Travancore Archaeological Series in 1916
Kerala Archaeology Department Website LEGENDS
This is one of the few temples dedicated to Vamana, one of the 10 avatars of Maha Vishnu.
As per the legend, the harvest festival of Onam is centered on the asura king Mahabali. When the Devas in heaven became insecure seeing his popularity, they requested Vishnu to destroy Mahabali Chakravarthi. Thrikkakara is where Vamana met the king. He asked Mahabali for three feet of land, and the latter readily agreed. Vamana grew in size into Thrivikrama form and began measuring the land using his foot and the sky on his second foot. After two feet, there was no place left to put the third. Mahabali bowed and showed his head, and Vamana pushed him to Pathala (hell) with his giant foot.
It is believed that Thiru-Kaal-Karai, meaning ‘under the holy feet of Lord Vishnu, later became Thrikkakara. There is no known written history of the Thrikkakara Temple, but it is said to be almost 4,500 years old, as indicated by the inscriptions on its walls. The Vattezhuthu and Kolezhuthu on the walls help historians determine the temple’s age.
It is believed that the temple was built to install the deity Vamana Parasurama. “To repent for the killing of Brahmins, he brought members of that community from Uttar Pradesh to stay in Thrikkakkara. They made this temple to worship Vishnu”.
Parasurama's image
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Onam Days in August – September, (It is believed that the Travancore King once ordered, those who cannot celebrate Onam at this temple, should celebrate at their home, On Onam day Children dressed like Vamana to welcome Mahabali), Thiruvonam, and Uthradam, Vishu, Makara Sankranti, Navaratri, Saraswati Pooja, etc.
Devotees pray to Vamana for a child boon. As part of the prayer, they used to tie a cradle in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Siveli
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be open from 05:00 hrs to 11:00 hrs and from 17:00 hrs to 20:30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +919995216368 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The Sri Katkarai Appan temple at Katkarai is about 10 km from Ernakulam, 13 km from Ernakulam South Railway Station, 16.2 km from Chottanikarai Bhagavathi Temple, and 20 km from Kochi.
The nearest Railway Station is Ernakulam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment