Thiruvilwamala Sri Vilwadrinatha Temple- Kerala

Address

Thiruvilwamala Sri Vilwadrinatha Temple- Temple road, Thiruvilwamala, Thirssur District, Kerala 680588

Deity

Vilwadrinatha Amman: Lakshmi Devi, Bhoomadevi

Introduction

• Vilwadrinatha Temple is located in Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur district, Kerala.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama (seventh avatar of Vishnu) and his brother Lord Lakshmana.
• It is one of the four major temples dedicated to Lord Rama in Kerala (others: Thriprayar, Kadavallur, Thiruvangad).
• The temple is situated on top of a hill 100 ft above sea level.
• Bharathappuzha River is visible from the temple, which is 3 km away.

Puranic Significance

• Lord Parasurama consecrated the temple’s idol after creating the land of Kerala.
• Sage Amalaka performed penance at the temple site, and as a result, the Lord appeared and turned into a swayambhu (self-manifested) idol.
• The legend of an asura trying to destroy the idols and being killed by Lord Narasimha (Vishnu’s fourth avatar) is associated with the temple.

Beliefs

• Devotees visit the temple for:
  • Salvation.
  • Performing rites for ancestors.
  • Prayers for timely weddings.

Special Features

• The temple is reached via more than 50 steps.
• There are two huge gopuram remains, and two Garuda idols at the main gate.
• Saraswathikund, where sage Amalaka did penance, is located nearby.
• There is no flagstaff (kodimaram) in this temple.
• The swayambhu idol of Lord Rama is made of ‘Pathalanjana Sila’ stone.
• There is always a lamp called ‘Pinvilakku’ behind Lord Rama’s idol due to Lord Shiva’s presence in it.
• Lord Lakshmana’s idol is one of the few dedicated shrines to him in India.

Festivals

• Five poojas and three seevelis (processions) are conducted daily.
• Important rituals include:
  • Nirmalya Darshanam (morning darshan with previous day’s decorations).
  • Shankhabhishekam (holy water poured using conch).
  • Deeparadhana (evening lamp worship).
  • Thrippuka (final darshan with holy smoke).

Unique Aspects

• There is a Punarjani cave near the temple believed to have been built by divine architect Vishwakarma.
• The cave is accessible to humans only on Guruvayoor Ekadasi day (November-December), while other days are reserved for ghosts.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 Years old

Managed By

Travancore Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvilwamala

Nearest Railway Station

Lakkidi

Nearest Airport

Kochi

lightuptemple