I didn’t plan my go to to Thrikkakara Vamana Moorthy Temple in Kochi. I used to be there to witness the well-known snake boat race, and what an expertise it was to see these slender boats reduce by means of the water to the beat of drums taking part in on and round them. I learnt that boat races was part of temple festivals. So, I made a decision to go to some temples within the metropolis of Kochi on my final day of staying there.

Kerala is residence to many well-known Vishnu temples, just like the Padmanabhaswamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram and the equally well-known Guruvayur temple. At Padmanabhaswamy temple, Vishnu is sleeping within the Ksheersagar peacefully as a lotus sprouts out of his navel. At Guruvayur, he’s the four-armed Vishnu holding his 4 Ayudhas – Shankha or Conch, Sudarshan Chakra or disc, Kaumudiki Gada or mace, and Padma or lotus flower.

At Kochi, I’d meet his Vamana avatara, whose story is so rooted within the land of Kerala. And, it’s the solely temple devoted to him in Kerala.

Legend of Vamana Avatara

Legend goes that the Devatas misplaced their kingdom to the Asura King Mahabali. Being the grandson of Prahlada, an ardent devotee of Vishnu, he dominated righteously with kindness. His individuals cherished him. However the Devatas needed their kingdom again, they usually requested Vishnu to assist them out. Vishnu got here within the type of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin holding an umbrella, when Mahabali was performing a Yagna. After the Yagna, when it was time to obtain the Dakshina, Vamana requested for land that he might cowl along with his three steps. Regardless of being warned by his Guru, Mahabali agreed.

That is when Vishnu took a large kind and lined the earth and Swarga along with his two steps, and requested the place to maintain the third step. Mahabali provided his head, and he was despatched to Rasatala – one of many netherworlds, to rule there. Sri Vamana Moorthy temple at Thrikkakara is believed to be standing on the actual spot the place this occurred.

Nevertheless, Mahabali might return to satisfy his individuals every year. That is how the pageant of Onam was born. Sure, Onam is the celebration of Mahabali visiting his land every year.

Sri Vamana Moorthy Temple at Thrikkakara

I used to be visiting simply earlier than Onam, and there couldn’t have been a greater place to really feel the festivity than visiting the traditional temple devoted to Vamana Avatar of Vishnu. This Vamana Moorthy temple at Thrikkakara is the epicentre of the Onam pageant in Kerala. Temple information point out not less than 1200+ years of unbroken custom of celebrating Onam. Sure, Onam is the largest pageant of this temple in addition to the state of Kerala.

Thrikkakara is believed to be the capital of King Mahabali. This was the very place from the place he was despatched to Rasatala when Vamana put his foot on his head. So, that is the place his annual homecoming is widely known probably the most.

Unfold throughout 10 acres, I’d all the time bear in mind this temple as being extra horizontal than vertical, not like most different temples which have tall buildings. There are huge grounds across the temple the place you possibly can simply stroll round and really feel the non secular aura of the area. The area lends a number of peace and tranquillity, even when there are many individuals visiting the temple. One wonders if it certainly depicts the vastness of Mahabali’s coronary heart.

The temple structure is typical of Kerala temples with purple slanting roofs and partitions with wood panels criss-crossing to create a grid-like affect.  On the entrance, you see a tall deepa stambha in steel, which might look stunning when it’s lit at evening.

Garbhagriha

Within the garbhagriha of the primary temple is a Murti of Vamana. It depicts him as he prepares to maintain his foot on the top of Mahabali as his third step. The temple is believed to have been established by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, whose footprint might be seen throughout the Konkan coast. The story of Vamana avatar comes alive if you stand in entrance of this Murti, and naturally, you possibly can see it engraved on the partitions of the temple. Kerala Tourism web site tells me that these engravings are not less than 2500 years outdated. Apart from this there are vigrahas of Devi as Bhagavati, Sashtha – the son of Shiva and Vishnu as Mohini, Gopala Krishna, and Naga.

There’s one other temple devoted to the Shiva household – Shiva, Durga, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. You can even see the Murti of Mahabali. Kapil Teertham, which is inaccessible to the general public, refers back to the go to of Kapil Muni right here. As per one legend, it was he who requested the deity to be all the time current right here. One other temple tank is used for rituals by devotees.

Naimisharanya

Inside the compound, I used to be pleasantly stunned to see the recreation of Naimisharanya within the type of cultural areas of the temple the place performances happen. With huge open area and ample nature, I feel Naimisharanya is the suitable title, harking back to the sacred forest the place hundreds of rishis lived to pursue information as soon as upon a time.

There’s an outdated Banyan tree, and near it’s the temple of Brahmarakshasa.

The wall of lamps that goes across the temples in Kerala is all the time intriguing. I’ve seen the lamps burning at a number of temples, they usually create such a uncooked power across the temple. As if a wall of fireplace is defending everybody current there.

Onam Celebrations

10-day Onam pageant of the temple is widely known within the Malayalam month of Chingam, or when the Solar is in Leo zodiac. On the temple, it’s marked by the hoisting of the ceremonial flag. Day by day, the deity is dressed as one of many 10 avatars of Vishnu. All through the ten days, there are performances of dances, singing, poetry recitation, and musical performances like Panchvadyam.

The final two days of the pageant see grand processions with temple elephants taking the deity across the temple advanced, pausing at every of the 4 entrances.

The ultimate two days additionally see the omnipresence of Onam Sadya – a grand feast of Kerala meals on a Banana leaf that’s now well-liked throughout the nation. 1000’s of individuals flip up from all walks of life to hitch in for this feast. When you occur to be in Kochi round Onam, do style it.

This temple is a lot part of Onam that in any respect different locations, the icons of Vamana and Maveli (Mahabali) are known as Trikkakara-Appan, referring to the deity right here.

108 Vishnu Temples

Vamanamoorthy temple is without doubt one of the 108 Vishnu temples talked about as Divya Desams by the poet saints Alvars, making it extremely sacred for the Vishnu devotees.

Athachamayam is a grand procession as a part of the Onam celebrations. Within the days of royal dynasties, individuals used to go from Thirupunithara to the Vamana Moorthy temple at Thirukakkara.

Days earlier than Onam, you additionally see the eagerness with which Mahabali is awaited by the descendants of his kingdom to at the present time. Onam all the time jogs my memory that your kindness and generosity will all the time be remembered, even throughout eons and throughout generations.

Blissful Expertise

Kerala temples are very clear and well-maintained. I cherished strolling round this temple, soaking within the divine aura and the festive vibes of Onam. The structure by no means enables you to overlook you might be in Kerala.

Journey Ideas for Thrikkakara Vamana Moorthy Temple in Kochi

Temple is finest visited early morning. You’ll be able to simply spend an hour right here.

No images is allowed inside the temple premises.

It may be simply finished on a visit to Kochi.