Adbhuta Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukkadithanam
Thirukkadithanam
Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
One of the five Pancha Pandava Divya Desams; attributed to Sahadeva.
Sthala Purāṇam
Thrikkodithanam, near Changanassery in Kottayam district, is the Divya Desam where the Lord is worshipped as Adbhuta Narayanan (also called Amritha Narayanan), with the Thaayar known as Karpagavalli. The presiding deity stands in Nindra Thirukkolam (standing posture), facing east. The Vimanam is the Punniyakoti Vimanam and the temple tank is the Bhoomi Theertham. As one of the five Pancha Pandava shrines of the Chengannur region, this temple is associated with Sahadeva, the youngest Pandava, who is believed to have worshipped here and installed the image during the brothers' pilgrimage after the Mahabharata war, when each Pandava consecrated a tutelary form of the Lord along the banks of the Pamba. The principal sthala purana centers on King Rukmangada of the Surya dynasty, a famously righteous ruler devoted to the observance of Ekadasi Vratha (fasting on the eleventh lunar day); the Lord is said to have granted his darshana (pratyaksham) here, the legend illustrating the merit of Ekadasi observance. In the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the temple was sung by Nammalvar, who glorified Adbhuta Narayanan in his hymns, securing the shrine's place among the 108 Divya Desams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. The temple is built in characteristic Kerala architectural style.
Mangalāśāsanam — the Āḻvār pāsurams
The Lord Adbhuta Narayanan (Amirthanarayanan) with Karpagavalli of Thirukkadithanam is glorified in 11 pāsurams by:
Thirukkadithanam (Thirukkodithanam / Thrikkodithanam in Changanassery, Kerala), the abode of Adbhuta Narayana Perumal, is one of the thirteen Malai Nadu Divya Desams. Its Mangalasasanam was sung exclusively by Nammalvar, who dedicated an entire decade of eleven pasurams to it in his Thiruvaaymozhi (the 8.6 decade beginning 'elliyum kaalaiyum', Nalayira Divya Prabandham verses 3502-3512). In these verses the Alvar describes the tulasi-garlanded Lord dwelling among prosperous devotees and worshipped day and night, and movingly declares that Emperuman, though He owns many divine abodes, regards Thirukkadithanam and the Alvar's own heart as His cherished, native home.
Verses & references (2)
- The opening verse of Nammalvar's decade on Thirukkadithanam (Tirukkodittanam). The Alvar sings that the Lord, wearing a fragrant wreath of tulasi (thuLasi) blossoms, dwells together with the fortunate, prosperous devotees at Thirukkadithanam, worshipped joyfully night and day (elliyum kaalaiyum), and that He bestows His grace and everything else upon those who take refuge. Across the decade the Alvar marvels that although Emperuman has countless glorious abodes, He treats the Alvar's own heart and Thirukkadithanam as His native, hereditary home and shows great affection there. — Nammalvar, Thiruvaaymozhi 8.6.1 · source ↗
- The whole eighth-hundred sixth decade (Thiruvaaymozhi 8.6, beginning 'elliyum kaalaiyum'), comprising eleven pasurams (Nalayira Divya Prabandham verses 3502-3512), is Nammalvar's Mangalasasanam for Thirukkadithanam, glorifying Adbhuta Narayana Perumal (Amrutha/Adbhuta Narayanan) of this Malai Nadu shrine and the closeness the Lord feels for this place and for the devotee's heart. — Nammalvar, Thiruvaaymozhi 8.6 (3502-3512) · source ↗
Gallery
Tap an image to view it larger — use ‹ › to browse, ✕ to close. Images via Wikimedia Commons.
Plan your visit
📍 9.59500, 76.53100
Routes, distances, hotels and restaurants open in Google Maps with live data. Build a phased pilgrimage plan →