Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
Encyclopedia
The Mahavishnu Kshetram at Thrikodithanam is one of the five Vishnu
temples associated with the five Pandava
brothers, the principal characters of the Mahabharata
. It is believed that Sahadeva
, one of the brothers, performed penance at this site. This temple is also counted among the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu, which make a Vaishnavite's pilgrimage itinerary, in India.
Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar
, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera
Empire (800 - 1102 AD).
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), an autonomous body under Government of Kerala
. TDB has classified this shrine among 224 "Major Temples" of Kerala.
Thrikodithanam is located is located 2.5 KM from Changanassery town, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India.
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
temples associated with the five Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
brothers, the principal characters of the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. It is believed that Sahadeva
Sahadeva
Sahadeva was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Nakula...
, one of the brothers, performed penance at this site. This temple is also counted among the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu, which make a Vaishnavite's pilgrimage itinerary, in India.
Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar
Nammalvar
Nammalvar also Nammazhwar,Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar;Tamil: நம்மாழ்வார்) was one of the twelve Alvars, well known for his many hymns on devotion to Vishnu. Legend gives him the date 3102 B.C....
, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
Empire (800 - 1102 AD).
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), an autonomous body under Government of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. TDB has classified this shrine among 224 "Major Temples" of Kerala.
Thrikodithanam is located is located 2.5 KM from Changanassery town, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India.