Sree Vallabha temple is located in the township of Thiruvalla, at Kavumbhagam, in the Pathanamthitta district. The temple is considered as one of the 108 thirupathies of India. Lord Vishnu aka Sree Vallabha (husband of 'Sree' or Lakshmi Devi) is considered as the principal deity of this temple. The temple is believed to be over 4000 years old. The temple compound is of nearly eight and a half acres and is considered as the largest that could be seen in Travancore province.
In the 'Aanakottil' (rest house of elephants), nearby the eastern Gopuram, one could see a marvelous carving of 'Ananthasayanam' (the eternal repose of Lord Vishnu) made of single wood. On the western side, there is a phenomenal 'Dhwajasthamba' made of single stone with Garuda on the top. The 'Garudamadathara', an architectural excellence of legendary Uliyannoor Perumthachan, is the main attraction of this temple. It is a legend that when the construction was over, Garuda winged to the sky and was captured. Garuda was then tied onto the 'Dhwajasthamba' with chains.
On the south-western side, there is a shrine for Sree Maha Ganapathy, who is considered here as a sub-deity. 'Kshetrapalaka' is enshrined in front of the Ganapathy's shrine. Sastha is also worshipped as a sub-deity in this temple. The golden flag-mast with Garuda on the top is another attraction of this temple. In front of the flag-mast one could see the Balikkalpura which houses a huge sacrificial stone called 'Balikallu'(Bali means sacrifice and Kallu means stone). On the faces of the stone, some fabulous carvings of lion and goddesses could be seen distinctively.
According to legends, the olden name of Thiruvalla was 'Mallikavanam' ('Mallika' refers to a typical fragrant flower and 'Vanam' means forest). There were approximately 3000 brahmin families lived here at that time. Most prominent of them was the Sankaramangalathu Mana (Changroth Mana). Narayana Bhattathiri, his wife Sreedevi Antharjanam, a maid servant and servant's son named Mukundan were the people who lived in that Mana. Unfortunately, Narayana Bhattathiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam didn't have a son. So, Sreedevi did various penances including the 'Ekadeshi Vrutha'. In despite of all this, they weren't blessed with a child. After few years, Narayana Bhattathiri passed away. Antharjanam along with her servant and Mukundan continued their penances. It was a custom related with 'Ekadeshi Vrutha' that on the Dwadeshi day(the day after the Ekadeshi) Brahmins should be treated with meals. Antharjanam followed this practice with utmost care.
One day, a demonic person named Thukalan came to the eastern side of Mallikavanam. He started robbing Vaishnavites and other poor people of that place. On the western side, meantime, a Yakshi(a typical vampiress) started her atrocious diabolic deeds upon the poor brahmins. Hence, it became impossible for the Antharjanam to get Brahmins on the Dwadeshi day to complete her customs.
On one Dwadeshi day, Antharjanam couldn't find even one Brahmin to complete her customs and became very sad due to this. She prayed fervently to Lord Vishnu to help her. At that time, a Brahmin boy appeared in front of her home from nowhere. Antharjanam was very pleased on seeing the Brahmin boy and she invited him for the meals. Before having the meals, Brahmin boy went out to have a bath in the nearby river. On the way, he met Thukalan who foolishly challenged the Brahmin boy to have a fight with him. In the end of the wrestle, Brahmin boy turned into Lord Vishnu and killed Thukalan with his Sudarshana Chakra.
The brahmin boy, after taking the bath, returned home along with other five brahmins who were also bathing in the river. Mean time, Antharjanam was waiting for the boy rather impatiently. They all had their meals. Meantime, the story about the death of Thukalan spread all over Mallikavanam and lot of people came to Sankaramangalam Mana to have a view of the Brahmin boy. Brahmin boy along with other five brahmins came out of the Mana. Brahmin boy consecrated his Chakra as 'Sudarshana Moorthy' idol with eight hands having conch, discus, club, lotus, rope, bow, mace and axe. Brahmin boy told the natives of Mallikavanam to worship the idol and blessed the people who came to see him. At the very next moment, the brahmin boy, the other five brahmins, Sreedevi Antharjanam, Maid-servant and Mukundan were disappeared. It is believed that the Brahmin boy was none other than Lord Vamana(the divine dwarf incarnation of Vishnu) and the five Brahmins were Sage Durvasavu and his disciples. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu gave salvation to Sreedevi Antharjanam, Maid-servant and Mukundan. After the consecration of Sudarshana Moorthy, Mallikavanam was called as Chakrapuram. The Sankaramangalathu Mana is revered thenceforth as the Sree Moolasthanam (primary abode) of Lord Sree Vallabhan.
After 2000 years of the consecration of Sudarshana Moorthy, one day, the queen of Cheraman Perumal(the then ruler of Thiruvalla region) had a dream. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. A brahmin came in her dream and told about an idol which was lying in the Netravathi river in Thulunadu. The idol was made by the architect of heaven called 'Viswakarmavu'. Like the idol of Guruvayoorappan, this idol was also worshipped by Lord Krishna. At the time of Sri Krishna's divine ascent, he gave the idol to Sathyaki (a famous warrior). Sathyaki consecrated the idol in Dwaraka with the help of Veda Vyasa and started worshipping it. When Dwaraka was about to immerse under water, Sathyaki gave the idol to Sri Garuda. Sri Garuda worshipped this idol at 'Ramanaka dweepu' (an island) for many years and later kept the idol in Netravathi river.
The Brahmin told the queen to take the idol from the Netravathi river and to consecrate it at Chakrapuram (Thiruvalla). It is believed that the Brahmin is none other than Sri Garuda himself. Cheraman Perumal decided to take the idol from the Netravathi river but couldn't find the exact location of the idol. At this time Sri Garuda came there, disguised as a Brahmin, who jumped into the river and took the idol from it. The idol was then carried to Chakrapuram as a grand procession. A temple was constructed there by that time and the ruler decided to have a pompous consecration ceremony.
But at the time of consecration, the Tantri find it unable to fix the idol to the pedestal. He came out of the Sanctum tiredly and closed the door behind him. After a few moments, a conch is heard blown inside the Sanctum along with the ringing of a multitude of bells. The door of the sanctum opened slowly. To the amazement of devotees, they saw the idol, sparkling like a diamond, lay fixed to the pedestal. A Brahmin came out of the Sanctum and disappeared into the crowds. It is believed that the Brahmin is none other than Sage Durvasavu himself.
The main offerings of this temple are 'Palanamaskaram' and Kathakali. Sree Vallabha temple is the one of the places in Kerala where Kathakali is staged frequently. The main festival falls in the month of Kumbham, with Aarattu on the Pooyam day. The chief priest(Melshanthi) of the temple has to be a pure Vaishnavite and 'Grihasthashrami'. The priests should not use ash(bhasmam or vibhoothi) during the rituals. They should only use sandal paste. If they enter into the shrine of Ganapathy or Sastha, they should take a bath before entering into the main sanctum of Sri Vallabha.
