Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – Religious Significance

Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – Religious Significance

Anju Ambalam:

It is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur area of Kerala, connected with the legend of Mahabharata, where the five Pandavas are believed to have built one temple each; Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple by Bheema, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple by Sahadeva. With the five Pandavas creating five temples, these temples have now been come to be referred to as ‘Anju Ambalam’ (Five Pandava temples) to folks in this area.

Divya Desams:

Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera Empire (800 - 1102 AD). Another of the Azhwars, Thirumangai Azhwar has mentioned Thirupuliyur in one of his verses in his Siriya Thirumadal (2673,71).

Puliyur Divya Desams:

This is one of the two ‘Puliyur’ Divya Desams, the other one being Siru Puliyur in Kollumangudi near Mayavaram.

Equivalent to Narasimha Moorthy:

Old   books about this temple mention that the Idol of Mahavishnu also has the power of Lord Narasimha Murthi instilled in him and because of this the idol appears to be angry. Mondays and Thursdays are considered as auspicious in this temple.