Vazhenkada Narasimhamoorthi Temple is situated 13 Km South-East of Perinthalamanna and 8 Km from Cherpulasseri, the temple is located in a picturesque background. The temple is on the side of the Thootha-Vettathur road, 2 Km from Thootha on the Cherpulasseri-Perinthalmana State Highway and 4 Km from Karinkallathani on the Palakkad-Kozkikkode NH-213. Thoothapuzha, also known as Kunthipuzha, flows 1 Km away from the temple.
The temple dates back to 14th century. The early history of the temple is still obscure. There is a myth that the idol was the one worshipped by Lord Hanuman at Kadalivanam. Earlier the temple belonged to Kongatt Malliseri mana, Alanellur Pattallur mana, Anad Thamarappalli mana. Thamarapali mana has now become extinct. The eldest member from the remaining two families will always be the trustee of the temple.
The details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns 85 cents of land of which 50 cents constitute the temple tank. The other structures are sreekovil, namaskara mandapam, chuttambalam with Agra manadapam, Valiya Balikkallu, Pradakshina vazhi, Agrasala, Gopuram, Kokkarani, Sub-shrines and temple tank. The square eka-thala (single-storeyed) sreekovil facing west has a granite basement, laterite walls and copper roof. The mouldings of the basement are paadukam, jagathi, vriththa kumudam, kumuda pati, kampam, galam, gala pati, utharam and pati. The sopanam has four direct steps. The pranaalam has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sundu with rings and govu-mukha end. It is supported by a motif of a serpent, made of granite.
There is one ghandawaaram in the rear wall while the functional door faces west. The tiled namaskaara mandapam has four pillars. The well is at north-east of the Akaththe Balivattam. The chuttmbalam has entrances at west, north and east. The mulayara is at north east, thidappalli at southeast and a sub-shrines with deities Goddess Durga, Lord Ganapatthi and Lord Saastha are seen at southwest. Even though there is no subshrine or idol for Lord Hanuman, a separate place inside the temple is kept for worshiping Lord Hanuman. Avil Nivedyam is a special offering for Lord Hanuman. The Valiya Balikkall is within the Agra mandapam. A deepasthambham with five layers of vicks is installed at the front.The pradakshina vazhi is made of granite stone of 1.5 m width and thickness of 20 cm. The kokkarani is at the south-western corner. A gopuram is built at the western side. On the ceiling of the Agra mandapam Navagrahas are carved in wood. The Dwaarapaalakas are both in standing pose with the sole of one leg resting on serpent.
The Krishna shila idol of Lord Narasimhamoorthy is in the form of Chathurbahu Vishnu idol with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. It is a broken one and below the head it is covered with golaka. The disposition of the idol that of Lord Narasimha blessing his ardent devotee Prahlada and hence of calm composure.
The temple dates back to 14th century. The early history of the temple is still obscure. There is a myth that the idol was the one worshipped by Lord Hanuman at Kadalivanam. Earlier the temple belonged to Kongatt Malliseri mana, Alanellur Pattallur mana, Anad Thamarappalli mana. Thamarapali mana has now become extinct. The eldest member from the remaining two families will always be the trustee of the temple.
The details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns 85 cents of land of which 50 cents constitute the temple tank. The other structures are sreekovil, namaskara mandapam, chuttambalam with Agra manadapam, Valiya Balikkallu, Pradakshina vazhi, Agrasala, Gopuram, Kokkarani, Sub-shrines and temple tank. The square eka-thala (single-storeyed) sreekovil facing west has a granite basement, laterite walls and copper roof. The mouldings of the basement are paadukam, jagathi, vriththa kumudam, kumuda pati, kampam, galam, gala pati, utharam and pati. The sopanam has four direct steps. The pranaalam has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sundu with rings and govu-mukha end. It is supported by a motif of a serpent, made of granite.
There is one ghandawaaram in the rear wall while the functional door faces west. The tiled namaskaara mandapam has four pillars. The well is at north-east of the Akaththe Balivattam. The chuttmbalam has entrances at west, north and east. The mulayara is at north east, thidappalli at southeast and a sub-shrines with deities Goddess Durga, Lord Ganapatthi and Lord Saastha are seen at southwest. Even though there is no subshrine or idol for Lord Hanuman, a separate place inside the temple is kept for worshiping Lord Hanuman. Avil Nivedyam is a special offering for Lord Hanuman. The Valiya Balikkall is within the Agra mandapam. A deepasthambham with five layers of vicks is installed at the front.The pradakshina vazhi is made of granite stone of 1.5 m width and thickness of 20 cm. The kokkarani is at the south-western corner. A gopuram is built at the western side. On the ceiling of the Agra mandapam Navagrahas are carved in wood. The Dwaarapaalakas are both in standing pose with the sole of one leg resting on serpent.
The Krishna shila idol of Lord Narasimhamoorthy is in the form of Chathurbahu Vishnu idol with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. It is a broken one and below the head it is covered with golaka. The disposition of the idol that of Lord Narasimha blessing his ardent devotee Prahlada and hence of calm composure.
The idols of sub-deities are also carved of stone. Sree Durga is seen in Linga form, Lord Ganapathi in sitting pose and Lord Sastha in linga form. The idols of the sub-deities are covered with silver. There is no subshrine or idol for Goddess Saraswathi. But Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped at a place inside the temple using a picture during Navararthri festival. Spacial poojas are performed for Goddess Saraswathi on Mahanavami and Vijayadasami.
Offerings of the temple are Kadali plantain, Paal payasam, Thirunaavu charthal, Pushpanjali, Oala(palmyra leaf), ezhuthaani(style), thulaabharam, Udayasthamana pooja, Kathakali etc. are the main offerings.
The annual eight-day festival is held from Thiruvonam star in the month of Dhanu. The prathishtha-day is observed on Makeeryam star in the month of Edavam, while the birthday of the Lord is celebrated on Thiruvonam star in the month of Thulaam. Sreekrishna jayanthi, Narasimha jayanthi etc. are also celabrated. Laksharchana is conducted on 1st day of Thulam every year. Navarathrippoja and Vijayadasmi are also celebrated with devotion. On Vijyadasami day hundreds of children from all parts of the state came to this temple for Vidyrambam. Kathakali, Chaakyaarkoothu, Ottanthullal etc. are the performing arts staged. It may be noted that Kathakali has a unique place in this temple. Some of the artists of this art form have become very famous like the late Padmasree Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. Other artists are late Vazhenkada Kunjunni nair, Kalamndalam Rajagopal, Vazhenkada Rama Warrier, Vazhenkada Krishna Warrier, Vazhenkada Govinda Warrier. Vazhenkada Vijayan (Vesham), Kalamandalm Balaraman (Chenda), Vazhenkda Krishnadas (Chenda), Kottakkal Devadas (Vesham), Vazhenkada Anandan (Singer) are also devotees of the temple and the natives of this place. P.V. Sreevalsan, son of Padmasree Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair and author of Malayalam Novel ‘Kesabharam’ also belongs to this place.
The present tantric rights belong to Panthalakkot mana. The hereditary Trustee from the Mallisseri mana acts as
the Managing Trustte of the temple. The Manager appointed by the
hereditary Trustees with the approval of the Malabar Devaswom Board of
the state administers the temple.
