Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple, Kottayam – Naalambalam (Space around the Sanctum)

Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple, Kottayam – Naalambalam (Space around the Sanctum)

Shiva & Ganapathy:

The presence of Shiva in a sanctum of Vishnu, is very rare in Vishnu Temples. In Kerala this is not unusual and it in fact underlines the absence of cult clashes between Vaishnavites and Shaivites which was rampant in other parts of India. In Thrikodithanam temple, there isn’t even a separate enclosure within the Sreekovil for the two gods. Images of Dakshinamoorthy & Ganapathy face south. Both these deities can be viewed and worshipped only through a hole on a mock door.

On an auspicious Karthika day, in the month of Viruchigam (Nov.-Dec.), Shiva manifested at the north-eastern side of the temple grounds. His blaze of glory was as intense as a mighty fire and this distressed the other gods. Vishnu and Brahma appealed to Shiva and in response to their request, Shiva contained the fire of brilliance within himself. The Deepa festival event commemorates this event.

Narasimha:

Narasimha Idols is facing west. He is also referred to as Sathrusamharamoorthy. The idol was consecrated after 1766 AD, to ward off ‘negative effects from powerful quarters’, possibly the Mysorean invasions of Kerala led by Tipu Sultan. The deity is given an unusual daily offering – sweet Naivedya made of milk, rice, sugar, as well as jaggery – called sharkara-paal-paayasam. On the granite floor in front are four carved swastika designs in one square. Sri Narasimha-moorthy is of such high stature at Thrikodithanam that he has his own festival alongside that of Maha-Vishnu.

Beli Stones:

The space adjoining the Sreekovil is called the Anthar-Mandala. Protective gods, represented in small sacrificial platforms (Beli-kall), are placed in each of the following directions:

·        East – Agni, Indra, Brahma, Isana

·        South – Saptha-Mathakkal (seven spirits), Yama and Sastha

·        West – Nrithi, Varuna, Vayu

·        North – Durga, Subramanya, Kubera and Soma

Vishwakasena:

Idol of Vishwakasena, the guardian deity for Vishnu, can be found to the north located outside the sanctum. Normally this deity is represented only as a Beli-stone.

Namaskara Mandapam:

Namaskara Mandapam is situated in front of the Sreekovil / Sanctum. It is a rectangular platform. This granite platform is used for special Bhajana sessions, prostrations and for temple arts. This Mandapam has a wooden ceiling carved with Ashtadik-palakas (guardians of 8 directions) with Brahma in the middle. Side stones of the platform are plain, except for elephants and lions carved along the ridges. On the northern side is an inscription in Malayalam giving details of its construction.

Other Idols & Sculptures:

Towards the south, a small figure prostrates at full length on the granite floor. This is the usual Prayashchita-roopa (penance-form) carved in relief. Similar reliefs in the shape of a snake and a swastika can be seen on the south-western and western side respectively. A small well occupies the North-eastern side of the Naalambalam. Many Beli-kalls (small stone platforms for offerings to various gods) mark the open space around the Sreekovil. The main entrance into the Naalambalam is on the eastern side. Small doors mark exit points in the other three cardinal directions.