Thuravoor Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kerala

Address

Thuravoor Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Thuravoor Mahakshethram, Thuravoor P.O, Cherthala, Kerala 688532

Diety

Sri Narasimhamoorthy

Introduction

Thuravoor is a gram panchayat in the Pattanakkad Block of Cherthala Taluk of the Alappuzha District, State of Kerala, India. Thuravoor Mahakshethram, an ancient Devasthanam located by the side of NH-47, approximately 25 km south of Kochi city, is the sacred abode of Lord Sree Narasimhamoorthy and Lord Sree Mahasudarsanamoorthy. The entire temple complex can be seen from the road. It comes under Aroor Assembly constituency. Thuravoor is famous for the Narasimha Swamy temple which is dedicated to the fourth incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu, the Narasimha. The temple has two main deities, the Vadakkanappan (Lord Narasimha) and the Tekkanappan (Lord Sudarshana), which is rare among the temples of Kerala.

Puranic Significance

Two separate Sanctom Sanctoroms in close proximity – within the same compound – reflect the synthesis of a unique and mysterious divine power. The idol of Sree Narasimhamoorthy is said to have originated in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi). Swami Padmapadar (8th century AD), the principal disciple of Adi Sankaracharya, had worshipped the very same idol at Kashi. Distinctive in its architectural and artistic grandeur, Thuravoor Mahakshethram is one of the most venerated places of worship in Kerala…. all these attract streams of devotees to the temple from within and outside the state. Vedi – vazhivadu is one of the popular vazhivadu or offerings in the temple. Of the two temples here, it is believed that the one dedicated to Sudarsanamoorthy was the first to come into existence. Though there is no record of its origin, the temple is estimated to be over 1300 years old. There are scholars who hold that the circular-shaped Sreekovil belongs to the Treta Yuga. Narasimhamoorthy temple, records do show that it came into being sometime in the 7th century AD, during the reign of a Chera king named Keralendran. His guru was the great Muringottu Adigal, a well-known Tulu Brahmin priest and scholar. Geographically, the temple site belongs to the formerly Princely State of Cochin. However, it subsequently came under the purview of Travancore State for certain political reasons. But this transition was subject to an important proviso: if a Travancore king were ever to set foot on the Mahakshethra soil, the temple would be immediately restored to Cochin. Therefore, for a long time, no Travancore king visited the temple. In 1951, with the merger of Travancore and Cochin and coronation of Sree Chithira Thirunal, the Maharaja visited the temple – the first time for a Travancore king to do so. He walked to the temple over a carpet to avoid stepping directly on the ground.

Special Features

Thuravoor Mahakshethram is now one of the important transit-camps (Edathavalam) for the Ayappa devotees during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The temple is administered by the Travancore Devasom Board. The most famous and largest temple is Sree Narasimhamoorthy swamy temple in kerala. Twin Sreekovils (Sanctom Sanctoroms) – one square and the other circular shaped – in a single Nalambalam, two gold-plated flagmasts that tower into the skies, a majestically tall Anapandhal (elephant rostrum, the largest in Kerala) and a strict regimen of observances of vrathas for the priests, days after days of rituals and festivals, chanting of Vedic hymns and presentation of learned discourses on Puranas throughout the year

Festivals

Daily routine/rituals like puja, kazhagam are entrusted to some designated families. Even now also puja has to be carried out by five vaishnava Tulu Brahmin families, say Adukathaya (Adukkam), Kubanuraya (Konoor), Parakode, Khajanaya (Kasha)and Kadamannaya (Nallur) of Kasargode District of Kerala. The 9-day utsavam during the month of Thulam (October) is the most important festival. Valiyavilakku is celebrated on the Diwali day.