One of Kerala’s most famous temples, Tripunithura Temple also known as Sree Poornathrayeesa (The Lord is the family deity of the former Kochi dynasty), is located at Tripunithura, about 10 kilometers southeast of Ernakulam.  

Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the Tripunithura temple as Santhanagopala Murthy, is the designated deity.  

The term “savior of Infants” used here, Santhanagopalamoorthy, refers to a manifestation of Lord Mahavishnu.  

Lord Vishnu is shown in this image sitting down beneath the five Ananthan hoods. This is a unique position for the Lord, who is usually seen resting on the heavenly serpent, Anantha, in other Vishnu temples. 

God sits on the folded body of the serpent. Lord Vishnu is depicted holding a lotus blossom in his lower right hand and a conch and a sacred wheel in his two upper hands. 

History Of Tripunithura Temple 

According to legend, Lord Vishnu gave Arjuna the statue of Sree Poornathrayeesa when the third of the five Pandava brothers requested his help in reviving the ten children of a Brahmin. 

Before giving the Brahmin custody of the children, Arjuna transported the 10 youngsters and the holy statue on his chariot.  

To commemorate this event, a temple was built with a sanctum sanctorum that was shaped like a chariot.  

In order to prepare for Lord Vishnu’s installation, Arjuna sent Lord Ganesha to investigate a sacred location.  

The deity, now known as Poonithura Kottaram, was once housed in a palace that is situated to the west of the main temple. 

Lord Ganesh attempted to take over the ancient Vedic town of Poornavedapuram (now Tripunithura), which he was drawn to because of its sanctity.  

Arjuna, however, shoved him aside and set up his idol on the sanctum’s southern side. Contrary to conventional practice, which places Lord Ganesh’s separate shrine on the south-western side of the inner prakaram.  

Arjuna utilized some mustard seeds to make oil for a lamp by combining them with the mustard fields that surrounded the area. 

In front of the idol is a Valia Vilakku, a traditional lamp whose burned oil is said to have healing properties. 

According to folklore, the goddesses of Chottanikkara Temple and Eroor Pisharikovil Temple are said to be older siblings of Sree Poornathrayeesa.  

Deities from the Perumthrikovil Temple (Lord Shiva) and the Eroor Pisharikovil Temple (Lakshmi) come here for their aaraattu, followed by a joint pooja and procession. 

Locally, this is known as Laksmi-Narayana Vilakku (Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu) and Sankara-Narayana Vilakku (Shiva and Lord Vishnu).  

The Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple, which is located northeast of the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, has a temple pond where Sree Poornathrayeesa’s Aaraattu (the holy bath of the deity) is performed. 

Temple Structure 

The Tripunithura temple was created in keeping with the Keralan temple design.  

A significant fire that broke out in 1920 completely damaged much of the original building, especially the heavily wood-built sanctum sanctorum.  

As a result, the  Tripunithura temple was redesigned in concrete for the first time in Kerala.  

The Tripunithura temple, which was renovated by the renowned architect Sri Eachara Warrier, now has a concrete frame that is artfully covered in copper plates, wood panels, and granite tiles to mimic the appearance of a traditional building. 

The dome of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with copper sheets, while the doors are coated with gold sheets.  

The side walls of the sanctum sanctorum are highly ornamented with big brass sheets bearing statues of gods and goddesses. 

Famous Festivals 

An unusual event called Ambalam Kathi Ulsavam is held to remember this occurrence.  

On this holy day, which occurs in the month of Thulam, thousands of worshippers congregate at the Tripunithura temple.  

They set the camphor that had been placed around the Tripunithura temple on fire after the evening deep sadhana. It appears that the entire temple is on fire because all of the lamps are lit. 

However, this is not this temple’s only celebration. The biggest celebration at this Tripunithura temple is called Vrishchikolsavam, and it takes place in late November. 

The Vrishchika Ulsavam festival often starts in November or December each year. The festival lasts eight days and is nonstop with events.  

There are stalls put up selling food and other items both in front of and behind the Tripunithura temple. 

In addition, the temple hosts a number of smaller events each year in addition to two additional significant festivals.  

Before this day, there is a festival called Para Utsavam during which worshippers give special offerings to the Tripunithura temple.  

Every year in August or September, Mooshari Utsavam, a different ceremony, is conducted to honor the sculptor who produced the sacred likeness of Sree Poornathrayeesan.   

The incredible mold of Poornathrayeesha, which is still in use in the sanctuary, is said to have been created by the sculptor himself fusing with the divine.

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