Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple

Introduction to the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple

The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple is on the banks of the River Karamana in Thiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It stands as a testament to ancient Hindu heritage. The temple is well-known for its serene atmosphere and is mentioned in Hindu mythology. It is on the list of monuments of national importance. The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeology Department of Kerala. It is the only temple dedicated to Parasurama in Kerala.

Legend of the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple

According to folklore, Kerala was created by Parasurama's mighty ax, which Shiva gifted to him, as he was pleased with Parasurama's meditation and penance.

"Parasu" means "ax". Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, threw his ax into the Kanyakumari Sea and thus brought forth the stretch of land called 'Kerala.'

The Architecture of the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple

This 2000-year-old temple is believed to have been visited by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. The legendary king Adhiyamaan Perumal built it in the 12th century. The Pandyas were the main contributors to this temple.

This is a Trimurthy temple with shrines to Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. It displays a traditional Kerala architectural style. In 2007, the Archaeological Survey of India repaired the roof of the Chuttambalam.

The entire temple is built in black granite and enclosed by a high stone wall. A row of Bhoot Ganas, lions, elephants, and floral ornaments line the upper surface. The main sanctum is round, with a rectangular Mandapa before it.

Swamy Sri Shankaracharya installed the idol of Parasurama and the self-originated Shiva here. The main deity, Parasurama, has four hands; two of his rear hands hold the Conch and Chakra. He holds an ax in the right front hand and Gada in the left front hand.

Brahma is depicted in the Padmasana posture, with two hands in Yoga mudra and his other hands holding Kamandalu and Lotus. Shiva faces the east, Parasurama and Brahma face the north, and Ganapathy faces the west. There is a Dhwaja Sthambam before the shrines of Shiva and Parasurama. Matsya, Sree Krishna, Narasimhadeva, Ganapathy, Subramanian, Mahishasura Mardini, Ayyappan, Brahma, and the saint Vedavyasa are the sub-deities (Upa Devatas) here. Students pray to Vedavyasa for getting good marks in their exams.

The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple has Bali Mandapams (long sacrificial stones) lined up on either side of the entrance pathway. There are nine sacrificial stones where over 100 people can simultaneously carry out their Bali Tarpanam rituals.

It is believed that Adi Sankara performed the Bali (Pitru Tarpanam) for his mother here. Hence, the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple is famous for Bali.

On the New moon day (Amavasya) of the months of Karkidaka (July –August) and Makara (January-February), a huge number of devotees visit the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple to offer Bali to their ancestors.

Devotees honor their ancestors through the customary 'Shraddham' or 'Bali Tarpanam' offerings at this temple. The Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple has a sacred pond.

Festivals in the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple

The temple celebrates Parasurama Jayanti on a grand scale. During Karkidaka Vavu, the Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple witnesses the largest gathering of devotees who come here to perform ancestral rituals.