Set in Thrikkodithanam, Kerala, Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is a shrine to Amruthanarayana Perumal (Athpudha Narayanan) with consort Karpagavalli. It is also known as Adbhuta Narayanan Temple, Athpudha Narayanan Temple, Thrikkodithanam Temple.
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints. It is also counted among the five ancient Pandava shrines of the Chengannur area, each traditionally credited to one of the five Pandava brothers. According to local tradition, this temple is one of five ancient Vishnu shrines of the Chengannur-Pamba river region said to have been built by the five Pandava brothers after they crowned Parikshit as king of Hastinapura and set out on a pilgrimage.
Kerala carries a distinct temple identity of its own: God's Own Country, where copper-roofed shrines and centuries-old rituals draw pilgrims to Vishnu, Krishna and Ayyappa.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 4:00 AM to 11:00 AM |
| Evening | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Poojas and daily rituals
Daily poojas include Palliunarthal, Abhishekam, Usha Pooja, Pantheerati Poojam, Navaka Kalabhishekam, Ucha Pooja and Athazha Pooja. Monthly special poojas are held on Ekadashi, Pradosham, Chaturthi, Sashti, Ashtami and Pournami.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual ten-day festival | Vrishchikam month (mid-November to mid-December) | A ten-day temple festival with traditional rituals including Palam-keel-kottu, Panacchikaletta, Chhadi-kottu, Otta-kol-kottu, Murian-kulam and Kodi-naatin. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Kerala style temple with a two-storey gopuram, circular sanctum (Sreekovil) on a granite base with laterite superstructure and a terracotta tile roof, a Namaskara Mandapa, and an outer Chuttuambalam pavilion. The sanctum walls carry wood and stucco carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with mural paintings believed to date to the early 18th century. The presiding deity, about 6 feet tall and facing east, is depicted in Vishvarupa (universal form).
History
According to local tradition, this temple is one of five ancient Vishnu shrines of the Chengannur-Pamba river region said to have been built by the five Pandava brothers after they crowned Parikshit as king of Hastinapura and set out on a pilgrimage. This shrine is attributed to Sahadeva, the youngest Pandava.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Nearest railway station is Changanassery; nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Poojas and festival details rely on secondary temple-information sites rather than an official temple or Devaswom Board source; entry fee and dress code could not be verified