Trichittattu Mahavishnu Temple, which is situated within the town limits of Chengannur Municipality in Alleppey District, is one of the 108 abodes of Mahavishnu. There are only eleven temples of this category in Kerala including the five Pandava Temples. 'Yudhishtira', the elder brother of Pandavas established the temple.
The Pandavas established these temples refers to an oldness of more than 5000 years. There are 84 temples of Lord Vishnu in Tamil Nadu which are among the 108 abodes and in Andhrapradesh only one is there and is the famous Thirupathi Balaji temple in this category and in Gujarat also only one which is the Dwaraka temple. In Nepal there is one temple and 8 temples are in North India mostly in Uttar Pradesh.
Vaishnavites in large groups travel to all these temples in full devotion all year round. Chengannur Thrichittattu Maha Vishnu Temple is situated on the Pandanadu-Mannar route at a place called Mundancavu.T here is a serene vast temple compound and a large temple pond known as Sankhu Theertham in front of the temple. Nalambalam is large with a marvelous Namaskara Mandapa and on its upper part wooden carvings which are very ancient can be seen.The Sanctum is circular in shape and made out of stone which is very large in size. Some stone inscriptions which are very ancient are seen near to the basement of this structure. The idol of Lord Maha Vishnu is in standing posture and is of black Stone (Krishna shila).
The sub deities are Gopala Krishna and Ayyappa. The Gopala Krishna temple has its own privilege as an independent temple and so during the annual temple of ten days there is flag hoisting done in front of that temple on the fifth day of the festival after erecting a temporary flag mast. There is a tall permanent copper made flag staff in front of Maha Vishnu Temple.
According to legends, after the Kurukshetra war Yudhishtira visited this temple and prayed the Lord for removing his sin of telling the lie that 'Aswathama' was killed, for the sake of deceiving Dronacharya.The Guru was not ready to believe anybody else but took for granted the words of truthful Yudhishtira that his son was killed. Yudhishtira murmured the words 'Aswathama the elephant' after loudly saying 'Aswathama died'. Hearing these painful words Dronacharya put aside the weapons and sat still in yogic posture and ended his life by releasing his soul. The head of the corpse was chopped off by Drishtadyumna.
But to relieve the sin of telling that lie and to get mental peace Yudhishtira surrendered worshipped Lord Mahavishnu at Thrichittattu Temple. In the old texts and also in hymns of Nammalwar, earliest reference of the deity is seen and is called as Imayavarappan. Belief is that Imayavars (devas performed penance in this temple to get the blessings of the Lord Vishnu and hence the name 'Imayavara Appan'. Chengannur area was under the rule of Kayamkulam Raja and when Marthandavarma defeated Kayamkulam and acquired those provinces the power to rule Chengannur area was given to Vanjipuzha Principality a prominent family there. Thrichittattu Temple administration was being done by that family there after. During the 60's that family declined and the temple lost fame and prestige for a period of about 30 years. Later Travancore Devaswom Board took over the administration and the temple is now in the process of regaining lost fame and prestige.
The annual festival is for ten days which starts from the Atham in Malayalam Month Meenam to Thiruonam. Every year in the Month of January 'Bhagavatha Sapthaham' is done for seven days and on those days 'Anna danam' (free food to the devotees) is also performed. 'Ashtami Rohini' is also celebrated in a grand manner. From Ashtami Rohini day for ten days 'Dasavathara Charthu Mahotsavam' is celebrated in which every day for ten days the idol is depicted in the forms of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu using sandal wood paste and other rituals are performed in grand scale.
'Pal Payasam' (sweetened milk porridge) is the main offering to Maha Vishnu and Gopala Krishna. 'Muzhukkappu' (adorning the deity with sandalwood paste), sweet items like 'Kadum Payasam', 'Unni Appam' etc are also offered to the Lord by the devotees.'Neerajanam' is offered to Lord Ayyappa.
Visiting all the five Pandava Temples namely Thrichittattu, Thiruppuliyoor, Thiruvaranmula, Thirvanvandoor and Thrikkodithanam on a single day is considered very much auspicious.
Visiting all the five Pandava Temples namely Thrichittattu, Thiruppuliyoor, Thiruvaranmula, Thirvanvandoor and Thrikkodithanam on a single day is considered very much auspicious.
