Majestic Temples of India

Here is the story behind Statue of Maraprabhu situated at Guruvayur                                               Once during Sandhya time Poonthanam Namoodiri, a great devotee was reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam. Melpathur Bhattathiri was praying there yo Guruvayurappan. Suddenly Poonthanam recited "Padmanabha Maraprabhu" Instead of "Padmanabha Amaraprabhu"- Amaraprabhu means whose devotee can never be destroyed. Who himself is immortal. Maraprabhu means which can be destroyed like a tree. Poonthanam understood his mistake and sat with his head down while all others laughed at him. That time from inside the temple a voice was heard saying I am also Maraprabhu, what Poonthanam told is perfectly right. With remembrance to this story statue was constructed here in Guruvayur.

Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple Thrissur, Kerala Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple, also called as Dakshina Dwaraka, is one of the important temples in Kerala where Shri Krishna is worshipped as Guruvayurappan as child form. Guruvayurappan is seen here with four hands holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma. The form which was revealed to Devaki and Vasudeva. Vigraham is made out of a special stone called Patala Anjana. Sthala Puranam says that Vigraham was made by Mahavishnu himself and handed over to Brahma Deva, who transferred it to King Sutapas and his wife. After many generations the Vigraham was worshipped by Vasudeva & Devaki and later prathista done at Dwaraka by Krishna. When Dwaraka was flooded the Vigraham was given to Udhava and Krishna instructed Guru (Brihaspati) & Vayu to do prathista in a suitable place to worship during Kali yuga. Parashurama lead them here which was a beautiful pond of Paramashiva & Parvati Devi. Shiva gave permission for Guru & Vayu to bui...

Vaikom Ashtami Vaikom, Kerala Vaikathashtami is celebrated at Vaikom Mahadeva temple of Kottayam, Kerala, which is observed on Ashtami of Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. It is on this day Paramashiva along with Parvati Devi gave Darshan to Vyagarapada Muni. This place was thus called as Vyagrapadapuram which later came to known as Vaikom. Muruga ( Udayanapuram) who came after destroying Tarakasura is welcomed by Paramashiva (Vaikathappan) here. Vaikathappan is not offered any special poojas or Neivedyam on this day as it is said that Paramashiva observes vratham for his Son's ( Muruga) Victory. He waits for his Son's arrival after victory. Later, Muruga from Udayanapuram Temple arrive after defeating Tarakasura. Paramashiva welcomes his son in a grand manner. Later after all rituals Udayanapurathappan returns which is very emotional. Vaikathashtami is 13day function in which 12th day is Ashtami. Om Namah Shivaye

Panachikkadu Kshetram Kottayam, Kerala Temple is one among 108 Durgalayas in Kerala. Story says that once there lived a Namboodiri at Kuzhippuram illam. He went to Mookambika Temple for seeking her blessings to have a child. He spend years in the temple & on return, at Panachikkadu he placed his Olakuda ( Umbrella) down & went to bath. Namboodiri was not able to lift Umbrella afterwards. Later he was told that Devi Mookambika was with him accompanying in the Umbrella. Thus Prathishta of Devi was done here. Saaraswatha Gritham is given to the children here, a medicine for memory by the blessings of Devi. Vigraham is covered with creepers & shrubs. Navaratri is very famous here. Many children are brought here and Aadyaksharam ( first education) on Vidyarambam day. Vidya means Knowledge and Arambham means beginning, which is performed on the last day of Navratri. In a plate of rice Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah is written by small children and same in sand is written by anyone who...

Tiruvarpu Shri Krishna Temple Kottayam, Kerala   Tiruvarpu Shri Krishna Templeis very unique temple, located in Kottayam of Kerala. Temple remains open even during eclipse. This is the Temple which opens first in India at 2 Am. Shri Krishna is very Hungry here. Situated on the banks of River Meenachil, temple closes only at 1:55 am & opens at 2:00 Am.  Thiruvaarppu Krishna vigraham is on a rounded brass vessel called varpu. Chathurbahu roopa of Krishna is worshipped, after killing Kamsa. There are many stories about the temple, one is connected with Mahabharata.  During exile period of Pandavas, Krishna gave them this Vigraham to worship daily & later after Vanavasa, same was given to people of Cherthala as per request. Later Vilwamangalam Swamy discovered same Vigraham from Meenachil river & kept under a brass vessel to do Prathista. But Swamy couldn't move Vigraham from vessel later. Thus Prathishta was done. It is believed that the bhava of Krishna is ...

Iringol Kavu Ernakulam, Kerala Iringol Kavu, located in Perumbavoor of Ernakulam district is one among 108 Durga Temples in Kerala of which Prathista is done by Parasurama. Located amidst forests in the Kummathunad Taluk is the unique Iringole Kavu which have historic significance.  Sthala Puranam says that, after the birth of Krishna, Vasudeva took him to Vrindavan, towards the house of Nanda and Yashoda, and replaced their girl child and took her to prison.  Kamsa decided to kill the girl child. It is believed that the little baby who rose up from his hands as he attempted to kill, fell as a bright light. The place where the light  fell was called Irrunnol which is Iringole today. It is said that all the Devas surrounded Devi in the form of trees and plants here.  Devi is worshipped in 3 forms, Saraswati in the morning to Vanadurga in the afternoon &  Bhadrakali in evening.  Shri Mahadevyai Namaha 

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Thiruvonam Special Pathanamthitta, Kerala Aranmula Parthasarathy Kshetram located at Pathanamthitta on the banks of river Pamba is one among 108 Divya Desham. Mahavishnu is worshipped as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna. Prathishta of Vigraham was done by Arjuna, which one among 5 Kshetram in which Prathista us done by Pancha Pandavas.  Temple Vigraham was brought on a raft which was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, place is called as Aranmula, which means six bamboo pieces. It is also believed that, Arjuna did Prathishta of Vigraham here to relieve himself from dosha of killing Karna. Mahavishnu retrieved Vedas to Brahma Deva here. Pratyaksha Darshanam to Vyasa Muni.  Another story is about Mahabharata war where Bheeshma could be won only if he allows to. But Bheeshma was not ready to surrender and this made Krishna angry. Krishna took his Sudarshana Chakra aiming at Bheeshma, thus Bheeshma surrenders. It is this Roopam of Krishna, worshi...

Sreekanteshwaram Mahadeva Temple  Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala  Sreekanteshwaram Mahadeva Temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram. There are two Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temples, one is Pazhaya(old) Sreekanteswaram Temple and the other is called Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple.  The Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple is one among 108 Shiva temples in which Prathista was done by Parasurama. There are two seperate Sreekovils for Paramashiva and Mahavishnu. Shiva is Ugra bhavam here so to reduce Raudra Bhavam, Mahavishnu Prathista is done.  Sreekanteshwaram Mahadeva Temple is a Maha Kshetram. Sthala Puranam says that, there lived a women who was a sweeper. She once kept her broom and pot near a tree. But the pot stuck to ground. Women hit the pot hard to move it but blood came from it. It was told that there is presence of Paramashiva.  Thus Prathishta of Swayambhu lingam was done here. Parvathi Devi is present as Gowri. Mrityunjaya Homam is also famous here.  Om Na...

Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple  Ernakulam, Kerala  Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal Temple is located in Ernakulam District of Kerala. Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams and perumal is Sukthinathapperumal and Devi as Maduraveni Thaayaar.  Temple is one among the Nalambalam(4) temples worshipped during Ramayana Month ( Karkidaka ).  Sthala Puranam is associated with Ramayana. During Vanavasam Bharatha comes to visit Shri Rama, to bring him back to Ayodhya. But Lakshmana misunderstands this and thinks Bharatha came to fight with Rama. Later he realizes the mistake and asks forgiveness. Bharatha came and embraced Shri Rama and speaks very softly. Thus the name Thiru Moozhikulam, place of soft words.  It is also said that Haritha Maharshi was doing Tapasya to Mahavishnu. Peumal appeared before Maharshi and gives advices which are called "Thiru Mozhi" meaning 'Sacred Words'.  Om Namo Narayanaya

Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh  The Mallikarjuna Temple is located atop the Nallamala Hills, on the banks of the Krishna River. Mallikarjuna Srisailam is one of twelve Jyotirlingas.There are two temples present here, one of Mallikarjuna swamy and the other to the Devi Bhramarambha. Sthala Puranam says that, when Ganesha was married to Sidhi and Buddhi, Karthikeya got angry and went to Kraunch Mountain as Bhramacahri. Paramashiva and Parvati Devi tried to comfort Muruga but could not stop him from leaving. Feeling sad Mahadeva took the form of Jyotirlinga and settled on top of the mountain.  It is assumed that Paramashiva appeared as a burning light, as Swayambhu Lingam. Temple is one of eighteen Shakti Peethas of Parvati Devi. Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga.  Om Nama Shivaya

Malayalappuzha Devi Temple Pathanamthitta,  Kerala Malayalappuzha Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Badrakali temple. Vigraham is made of Katu Sarkara Yogam, Devi is ugra roopam here after destroying Darika an Asura. Devi is called as Idathattil Bhagavathy. Sthala Puranam says that, two Namboodiris who were Devi Bhaktas were praying before  Mookambika Devi. Pleased by their worship Devi gives darshan to them, and instructs them to take Vigraham which they were worshipping and travel towards South. When they reached here D evi came in their dreams and advices to do Prathista here. It is said that Malayalappuzha Devi blesses with all wishes of the Devotees. Thiruvathira is very famous in the temple. Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri are also famous. Shri Mahadevyai Namaha

Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple Alappuzha, Kerala Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple also called Thiruchenkundrur is located at Chengannur in Kerala. Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams. Mahavishnu is worshipped here as Imayavarappan. Sthala Puranam says that, Yudhishtira did Prathista of Vigraham here. Temple is one among the Pancha Mahavishnu Temples where Prathista was done by Pancha Pandavas. During the Mahabharata war, Yudhishthira, who always spoke truth, lied to their Guru Dronacharya. To relieve himself from this dosham, Yudhishtira did tapasya here to Mahavishnu. Imayavar (Devas) also came to this place and did poojas. It is said that Yudhishtira and Devas are granted darshanam here.Thus Mahavishnu is worshipped as Imayavarappar. Prathista is done by Yudhishtira and temple is believed to have been built by Devas in the banks of Chittar. Kshetra Theertham is called Amrutha Pushkarini. Vigraham is made of Krishna Sila. Prathista is done by Yudhishtira and temple is believed to...

Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Kshetram Palakkad, Kerala Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Kshetram is one among 108 Durga temples in Kerala, Prathista done by Parasurama. Devi is worshipped in 2 forms Mahishasuramardini as Ugra roopam & Annapoorneshwari as Shanti Swaroopini. To reduce Ugra Bhavam of Devi, big Balikkalu stapana is done. Two separate Shri Kovil & separate Kodi Maram is speciality of this temple. Situated on the banks of Sokanasini River, Temple is famous for stone sculptures and wood work. Huge walls of temple is still a mystery It is said that the wall was built by Bhoothaganas and they built it overnight, but before finishing it, they heard sound of rooster and thought it was morning and left the place. It is said that Narada Muni came as rooster and made the sound. Eastern Wall is still not completed. It is also believed that temple was built by Devas. Devas started to build temple build during night time, it took 14 days but they couldn't complete the temple. So...

Maruthorvattom Dhanwanthari Kshetram Alappuzha, Kerala Maruthorvattom Dhanwanthari Kshetram is located in Alappuzha District. Maruthorvattom means Marunnu Oru Vattam, which means a single dose of medicine, cured all diseases. Dhanwanthari Moorthy is worshipped here who is Deva of Ayurveda. Sthala Puranam says that, there lived a Namboodiri called Velloodu Moos, who was Ayurveda Acharya in this area. Vigraham of Dhanwanthari Moorthy is given Sthala Puranam says that, there lived a Namboodiri called Velloodu Moos, who was Ayurveda Acharya in this area. Vigraham of Dhanwanthari Moorthy is given to him by a Shiva Bhaktha who was called Tambhan, who was suffering from stomach ache. He went to Vaikkom Kshetram and did Bhajana there. One day Mahadeva came in dreams and asked to find a Vigraham which lies in a pond and donate the Vigraham to Velloodu Namboodiri inorder to get rid of his stomach pain. Tambhan did as he was told, and he was relieved of his disease. Temple is known for its Ousha...