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Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple

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Introduction

Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple is a Divyadesam, the sacred abode of Lord Vishnu situated in Kerala that has been glorified in the Tamil hymns of the Azhwar saints. Also known as the Thiruppuliyur Divya Desam, it is located in Puliyoor, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Maayapiran, and his consort, Porkodi Naachiyaar. This is an ancient temple and is believed to be one of the five shrines built by the Pandava princes in Kerala and hence, is connected with the Mahabharatha epic.

Temple Legends

Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple

The legends link this temple to Mahabharatha. This temple is regarded as one built by Bheema, one of the Pandava princes. It is said that after crowning Parikshit as the King of Hastinapura, the five Pandava princes proceeded on a pilgrimage towards the South. On reaching the banks of the Pampa River in the present-day Kerala state, each one of them is said to have built a temple for Vishnu there. Accordingly, Bheema, the second brother worshipped Maayapiran and built the Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple, here. Gadha, the mace, the mighty weapon of Bheema, is said to be available in the temple to prove his association with it.

As per another story, the land ruled by king Virukshadharbi, son of the famous Sibhi Chakravarthy, was often flooded, and due to this, there was not much of vegetation, prosperity and wealth in this kingdom. Hence the king planned to invite the holy Sapta Rishis to his land and make donations to them so that his country can become fertile and prosperous. But the great Rishis refused to accept the Dakshina offered by the king, as they felt that the calamity was only due to the king’s actions. The king then got some gold coins hidden in the fruits and offered those to the Rishis. But the sages, through their power of meditation, realized the truth and rejected the fruits, too. Enraged by the sages’ repeated refusal, the king performed a special sacrifice, aroused a lady demon Kiruthyai and set her to destroy them. But the Lord of this temple intervened, got the demon killed by Indra, the king of the celestials, and protected the sages. He also gave his Darshan to the Sapta Rishis and provided them salvation.

The History and Architecture of Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple

The temple inscriptions and the Azhwar hymns take the antiquity of the temple to the 9th century CE. The temple is built in the Kerala architectural style, with woods and bricks systematically layered together. Its Rajagopuram is two tired; the Dwajasthambam, the flag mast, is placed opposite the sanctum, and the corridors run along with the compound wall of the shrine. Maayapiran, the principal deity, is in the standing posture in the sanctum, while there are separate shrines for Goddess Bhuvaneahwari and Lord Ganapathi.

Temple Festivals

Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna, is celebrated with pomp and fervor during Aavani (August-September), while Thiruvona star day is observed every month with devotion here. Also, the festival deity is taken on an elephant ride around the temple precincts in a grand procession, during Thai month (January-February).

Benefits of worshipping Puliyur Mahavishnu

Maayapiran can remove illusions, provide knowledge and skills, help overcome impediments, bestow happiness, and take one towards salvation. People also worship him for protection and all-round welfare.

How to reach Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple
By Air

The nearest airport is Trivandrum, about 120 kilometers from the shrine.

By Rail

Chengannur railway junction is very near the temple. This is an important junction, which connects with all other cities and towns across Kerala.

By Road

The place is well connected by road to the capital Thiruvananthapuram and other places.

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