Vavanur village in Malappuram district, just 3 Kms away from Kuttadu, is the location of one of the most powerful abodes of Lord Mahavishnu in Kerala, worshiped in the disposition of Lord Vamana Moorthi, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The place itself got the name Vavanur because of the presence of Lord Vamana moorthi temple. The temple belongs to Pathirisseri Illam and and the Lord Mahavishnu here is considered as the family deity of Pathirisseri Moosathu.
The temple compound is large and is having a land of 7 acres. The temple is very old and is rich with sculptures which are so marvelous and bewitching. The temple, Sarppakavu(abode of serpent gods) and Pathirisseri Illam is located on the same compound. Sanctum sanctorum of the principal deity is seen as constructed along with the mugha mandapa where we can see the large magnificent idol of Lord Mahavishnu, which is approximately 6 feet tall, although metaphorically Vamana is the divine 'dwarf'. The covered Namaskara Mandapa and the typical ancient construction style together resonates a mystical monarchial manifestation for the idol at Vavanur temple.
Vavanur Vamana moorthi is believed to be powerful to give children to the childless and Palpayasam is the most important offering for the deity for getting children. Thiruvonam on the month of Thulam is considered most important for offering Palpayasam and on that day Palpayasam is offered to the deity by 4 PM and is a rarity as in that time almost all temples in Kerala will be closed after the Uccha Pooja. Palpayasam is also very special as it is not white but brown in color. Normally Palpayasam will have a white colour and the brown coloration is due to the mixing of jaggery into the milk during the preparation of this tasty pudding. The milk in large amounts are offered by the devotees of the nearby places and on that day a rush of devotees could be seen. In olden days, continuous offering of Palpayasam from the Thiruvonam on the month of Thulam to Thiruvonam on the month of Vrischikam was there and the festivities thus lasted for 28 days.
It is believed that deity is having not only the deva (calm) bhava but also an Ugra (fierce) bhava and hence Sarkara Palpayasam which is considered equivalent to an alcoholic beverage is offered to the deity in furious disposition. At this time it is also believed that sanctum sanctorum will be having the presence of several incarnations of Lord Mahavishnu. Hence, undoubtedly, Vavanur Vamana moorthy temple is one of the rare but powerful abodes of Lord Vamana in Kerala.
