Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram, also known as Adbhuta Narayanan Temple, is a famous temple located at Thrikodithanam, about 2 km from Changanacherry in Kottayam District. The temple is famous for its ancient stone carvings, wall inscriptions, mural paintings, decorated wood carvings of deities, especially the Dasavatharams (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), etc. It is believed to have been built around the 7th century CE. It is believed that Sahadeva (youngest of Pandavas) installed this temple.
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is mentioned in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alwar saints, Nammalvar, in the year 800. The temple is noted for the mural paintings and stone inscriptions. Circular walls are adorned with beautiful mural paintings and the scenes from the popular pot dance and umbrella dance. These paintings also give an idea of the bygone era. The main attraction is the 16 panels of beautiful mural paintings in the circular wall around the sanctum.
The double-storied sanctum is famous for its architectural excellence. Aadhisthaana, the base of the sanctum, is made of three ft high rounded granite stones. These base stones bear about 13 ancient inscriptions in the Vaatezutthu Tamil script. Copper tile plates are used to cover the sloping roof. The main entrance of the Shri Kovil is reached by four steps of polished black granite. Nalambalam, the space around the sanctum, has a sacred platform called Beli Kallu. Dwaja Sthamba, the ceremonial flag mast is another draw.
The boundary wall of this temple is believed to have been raised in AD 700. There is a beautiful pound close to the eastern entrance of the temple. Kazhivetti-kallu, a strange granite statue is positioned between the eastern entrance and the pond and attracts a large number of devotees. This granite statue is of a man flat on his back, held up stiff and straight on a stone pillar about six ft high. Only his waist rests on the pillar, rest of the body is unsupported. Sri Subramanya Temple is the nearby attraction
Thrikkodithanam Mahavishnu Temple sub deities:
Sri Krishna
Sri Narasimha
Lors Siva
Ganapathy
Nagas Devatas
Kshethrapalan
Thrikkodithanam Mahavishnu Temple History:
Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit as king of Hastinapura left on a pilgrimage. On arriving on the banks of river Pamba, each one is believed to have installed a tutelary image of Krishna; Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, Thirupuliyur Mahavishnu Temple by Bheema, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple by Sahadeva.
The Divya Kshetram was built by Sahadeva of Pandavas. King Rukmangatha of Surya Vamsa undertook Ekadasi Vratham and gifted all his punyas to Devas by which he reached Devaloka. There are also shrines for Krishna and Narasimha. Another legend is that the temple servant being cursed by the deity to turn into stone as he delayed the opening of the temple doors making the devotees wait for Darshan. The statue of the servant can be seen in front of the temple. A monthly Sravana Deepams (festival of light) is performed.
