Vamanamurthy Temple, Thrikakkara – The Temple

Vamanamurthy Temple, Thrikakkara – The Temple

The temple complex, which is enclosed in a large area in picturesque surroundings, holds the main sanctum dedicated to Lord Vamana. Presiding Deity is called as Kaatkaraiappan / Vamanamurthy and Mother is called as Perunchelva Nayaki / Vaathsalya Valli. The sanctum sanctorum of the main shrine houses the idol of Maha Vishnu. The idol is in the form of Lord Vamana preparing to place his foot on the Asura King Mahabali. Presiding is found in standing posture facing the south direction. This temple is characterized by its vritta (circular) Vimanam.  Vimaanam over the sanctum is called as Pushkala Vimanam.

Surrounding the inner complex walls is a series of thousands of lamps called Chuttuvilakku which translates to 'surrounding lamps'. There  are Shrines for Bhagavati, Maha Lakshmi, Sastha, Gopalakrishna, Naga, Brahma Rakshasa and Yakshi. The Brahmarakshasa shrine is located in the outer complex, along with a Banyan-tree god and the Sarpa Kavu. There are two ponds associated with the temple. One is the Kapila Theertham located closer to the temple on the Northern side of the sanctum sanctorum, and is accessible only to priests. The other pond is located on the Northern side outside the temple walls, and is used regularly during the Aarrattu ceremonial bath of the idol during Onam celebrations.

Apart from the shrines and ponds, the temple complex houses three stages or halls for cultural performances called Naimishaaranyam, and a temple auditorium at the South-west corner. The auditorium is regularly used for weddings and meeting, and for conducting the Onam feast during the festival. There are inscriptions here from as early as the 10th century CE the period of Bhaskara Ravivarma. This temple is said to have received endowments from the Chera king Kulasekhara Perumal of the 9^th century CE. The temple also houses records containing the earliest mention of the celebration of the Onam festival dating to 861 A.D.

The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board. There is also a Shiva temple beside the main Vamanamoorthy temple, which was renovated in 2014. It houses idols of the deities Shiva, Ganesha, Karthikeya and Durga. Not much is known about the age and origin of the Shiva temple except that it underwent renovation around a hundred years ago. The devotees visiting Thrikakkara temple first pray at the shrine of lord Shiva (also called as Thekkumkara Thevar) before visiting the shrine of lord Vamana.

It is interesting to note in this context that though Thrikakkara Appan or Vamana is worshipped during Onam celebrations, Mathevar or Mahadevar is also worshipped with equal fervor and the reason remains unexplained. It is believed that the Shivalinga in this temple was once worshiped by Mahabali himself and is situated on the southern side of the shrine of lord Vamana. There is a seat of King Mahabali located just in front of the Sreekovil of Lord Shiva.