Tiruvithuvakkodu

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Tiruvinjikode near Thrissur
(
Malai Naadu)
Vishnu: Uyyavanda Perumaal (Abhayapradan),
Taayaar: Padmapani Naachiyaar
Theertham:Chakra Theertham
Paasuram :Kulasekhara Alwar
Vimaanam:Tatva Kanchana Vimanam
Travel Base:Thrissur
Description This Divya Desam has been sung in a decad of 10 verses by Kulasekhara Alwar who hailed from Kerala (Chera Nadu). This temple is located at Tiruvinjikode, at a distance of 16 km from Shoranur (off of the highway) , enroute to Guruvayur. The nearest railhead is Pattambi on the Malabar railway line.  This temple has a shrine to Shiva and a shrine to Vishnu.

This temple is connected with legends from the Mahabharata and has four images of Vishnu believed to have been installed by the Pandavas.

Given the four Vishnu images and the sanctum enshrining Shiva this temple is popularly known as anjumoorthy koyil.

Legend has it that Vishnu appeared in four forms here (Vyuhavataram - Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Sankharshana and Para Vasudeva) in response to worship by Ambarishan and was worshipped by the Pandavas here. Ambarishan is said to have obtained salvation here. Of the four images of Vishnu seen here, Yuddhishtra is said to have worshipped the one in the center, Bhima the one on the left, Arjuna the one on the west, and Nakula and Sahadeva the other.

There is yet another temple in Karur (on the Chennai Tiruchi railroad), by name Vithuvakkodeeswaram, enshrining Abhaya Pradhana Ranganathar and Ranganayaki, also considered to be a Divya Desam by the same name. Ranganathar is enshrined in a reclining posture. This temple covers an area of about an acre and has shrines to Anjaneyar and Garudazwar.

Legend has it that Markandeyan, Mucukunda Chakravarti, Sri Devi and Bhudevi offered worship here. Two worship services are offered each day here. The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Chittirai.

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