10-Thirukkadithaanam - Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple Divya Desam

Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple is revered as one of the 108 Divya Desam temples . Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple is also called as ‘Thirukodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram’, which is located at Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam District of Kerala and also revered as one of the 108 Divya Desam temples, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is glorified in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a Vaishnava canon, and mangalaasan (devotional songs) were sang by the azhwar saints. Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is considered as one of the five ancient temples in Chengannur, Kerala and one of the temples which is connected with the legends of Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India.

Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is believed to be built as a dedication towards Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as it is related to the epic Mahabharata. The legend say that the Pancha Pandavas after enthroning Parikshit, a kuru king who reigned during the Middle Vedic period (12th or 11th century BCE), as a king of Hastinapura, the Pancha Pandavas started a pilgrimage. And on arriving on the banks of Pamba River, it is said that each of them installed an image of Lord Krishna.

Significance :-
Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is believed to be built by Sahadeva the youngest of the Pancha Pandavas. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Athpudha Narayanan, also known as ‘Lord Amirutha Narayanan’, found in a standing posture facing towards east. And the goddess of the temple is Karpagavalli Thayaar. The other main shrines of this Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple are the shrine of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Lord Narsimha (half man and half lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

The legend says that the servant of this temple has been cursed by Lord Athpudha Narayanan to take the form of a stone as he delayed to open the doors of the temple and made the devotees to wait to worship the god. And it is said that the stone is still present in the front of the temple. Lord Athpudha Narayana Perumal is said to have performed His Seva for Rukmaangadhan, one of the king of Surya generation, who had a good thought for the people and helped for their life. Ekadesi day is considered to be the auspicious day to visit the temple of Lord Athpudha Narayana Perumal. The sacred Theertham (temple tank) of this temple is called Bhoomi Theertham and Vimanam (the tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of this temple is called Punniya koti Vimanam.

Pooja Timings
The temple remains open from morning 4.00 AM to 11.00 AM and in the evening from 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Festivals- Annual Festival – January/February, Janmaashtami – September, Chithirai Tiruvonam – April/MayVaikunda Ekadasi – December/January

Location
By Road- The state run KSRTC buses are linked by major roads to other prominent cities in Kerala, and to other major cities.
By Train- The nearest railway station to reach Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is located in Changanassery.
By Air-The nearest airport to reach Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal temple is Calicut International Airport.