Thirumittakkode Anchumoorthy Temple is located in the Pattambi - Kunnamkulam route, three kilometers south of Koottupatha junction on the banks of Bharathappuzha in Palakkad district. Lord Shiva temple is seen in front of Lord Vishnu temple. It is believed that Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna and jointly by Nakula and Sahadeva worshipped Lord Vishnu here. Each shrine is architecturally exquisite.
In pasurams of Kulasekhara Alvar, Thirumittakkod is refered as Thiruvithuvakkodu, Lord Vishnu is referred as Lord Uyyavantha Perumal (Abhayaprada), and consort as Vithuvakkottu Valli or Padmapaani Naachiyaar. Thus five deities of equal importance are worshipped in this temple complex. This temple is also one among the 108 Shivalayas created by Lord Parasurama. Hence this is the only temple in Kerala listed in both 108 Shivalayas and 108 Vaishnavalayas. This temple signifies the unity of Vaishnava and Shaiva cultures.
It is believed that King Ambarisha did severe penance to the Lord Vishnu and as desired by the king, the Lord appeared in 4 Forms, as Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Sankharshana. This temple is said to be the place of salvation of Ambarisha. When Pandavas set on their journey to atone for the sin committed by killing their relatives during Mahabharatha war, they visited this place. Hearing about the holiness of this place, they stayed here and worshipped Lord Vishnu in all the 4 forms. One idol was worshipped by Yudhistira, one by Bhima, one by Arjuna and one jointly by Nakula and Sahadeva.
It is also believed that a brahmin who was a staunch Shaivite stayed at Varanasi and offered worship to Lord Visweswara(Lord Shiva of Kashi). He was forced to leave Kashi and come to his native place as he heard that his mother was in her last stages although was reluctant to leave his deity. Hence he prayed to Lord Shiva for guidance. Lord Shiva entered into the Olakkuda (palm-umbrella) which the brahmin used to have with him always and when he reached Thirumittakode, it was evening. As he had to perform his evening rites, he left the umbrella in the temple premises and went to have a bath.
When he returned, he found that he could not lift the umbrella and when he exerted force, the umbrella broke suddenly and a Shiva Linga emerged out of it. Lord Shiva appeared in front of the brahmin and said that henceforth he would stay there and all devotees could worship him in that place. It is believed that the temple also has the presence of holy Ganga.
The temple complex is the perfect specimen of traditional temple architecture and its walls are furnished with sculptures and mural paintings that depict the stories from various epics as well as of Hindu mythology. Ashtamirohini and Shivaratri are the special days celebrated in this temple.
When he returned, he found that he could not lift the umbrella and when he exerted force, the umbrella broke suddenly and a Shiva Linga emerged out of it. Lord Shiva appeared in front of the brahmin and said that henceforth he would stay there and all devotees could worship him in that place. It is believed that the temple also has the presence of holy Ganga.
The temple complex is the perfect specimen of traditional temple architecture and its walls are furnished with sculptures and mural paintings that depict the stories from various epics as well as of Hindu mythology. Ashtamirohini and Shivaratri are the special days celebrated in this temple.
