DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Malai Naadu |
Malai Naadu | 6thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Located
4kms east of the Chenganancheri Railway Station (Kottayam-Kayankulam rail
route) is the Arputha Narayanan Divya Desam in Thiru Kadithanam. This is one of
the three important Kadigai Kshetrams in India, the other two being Thiru
Kadigai in Sholingur and Thiru Kandam(Kadinagar) in Devapriya(North). Legend has
it that those who visit the Arputha Narayana Perumal Koil in Changanachery and
stay here for at least one Kadigai (24 minutes) will be liberated from all
sins/curses.
In
a single sanctum sanctorum circular in shape, Lord Arputha Narayana is facing
east and Lord Narasimha is facing west. Therefore, there are two flag post
individually for both Perumals. It is said Lord Narasimha was installed in
later days. On the south side of the sanctum Lord Dakshinamurthy and Lord
Vinayaka grace facing south. There are no doors for their shrines. Holes are
provided on a wooden plank to see the deities and have the darshan.
With
a view to reduce the ferocity of Lord Narasimha, sweet porridge is offered as
nivedhana. During pujas to Narasimha, Srimad Narayaneeyam, authored by great
Vishnu-Guruvayurappan devotee Narayana Pattadri is recited in the temple. The
Vimana (tower above the sanctum) is called Punniyakodi Vimana. Rukmangathan and
Devas had come to this temple to submit their prayers to Perumal facing east.
The
region was under the rule of one Rukmangathan. Flowers of many varieties grew
in his garden. Devas picked these flowers and offered it to Perumal. He came to
know that the flowers are stolen from the garden. He ordered that these thieves
should be arrested and brought before him. His men, not knowing that the flower
pickers were Devas, caught them and produced before the king. Knowing the
truth, the king apologized to them and released them immediately.
Yet,
as they were arrested by humans, Devas lost the power of returning back to
their place. When the king asked them what he could do to help them, they told
him that if he parted with the benefits of his Ekadasi fasting of years, they
would regain the power to go back. The king happily agreed, took them to the
Perumal temple and donated the huge benefits he had accrued through years. All
these happened within a fraction of second (kadigai), hence the name of the
place Tirukadithanam.
It
is said that Sahadevan, the last brother of the Pandavas installed Perumal in
this place. He was searching for an idol but could not succeed. Out of
frustration, he decided to immolate himself. An idol of Lord Narayana appeared
instantly before Sahadeva and saved from his self-sacrifice. Hence, the Lord is
named Arputha Narayana (Arputha-miracle). The temple is popularly known as
Sahadevan Temple.
There
are idols of Lords Sastha, Muruga and serpent deities around the prakara. It is
said that the tall compound wall of the temple was built by Bhoodas described
as colossal creatures with huge body and extraordinary strength with a
threatening appearance. The word friend may not be correct English version as
Bhoodas are generally shown as a helping group to Gods in our scriptures. There
is a human body placed on a stone in front of the temple. The story goes that
the king of the region came to the temple for darshan but found the doors
closed. But the security received a bribe from the king and opened the doors.
As a punishment, his body is placed on a stone, it is said.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Arputha Narayanan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Karpagavalli |
|
Theertham |
Boomi Theertham |
Praying here gives
prosperity and education.
Tirukarthikai
in November-December is grandly celebrated for 10 days. Deeps (lamps) are lit
on the ninth day. This event is called Sangetham. All the lights will be
burning till the next day. Devotee crowd will be huge this day. The festival is
attributed to the story that Lord Shiva was here in the form of a fire ball
threatening to burn the whole region. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahmma appealed to
Lord Shiva to cool down. Responding to their prayer, Shiva reduced the form
into into a small deep (lamp) and saved the region on a Tirukarthikai day.
Other festivals celebrated in the temple are Gokhulashtami in Aavani month
(August-September) and days related to Vishnu worship.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sthalam is found next to Senganancheri, which is found near to Kottayam in
Kerala. This temple can be reached by traveling from Thiruvalla to Kottayam
getting down at Senganancheri. From there, by traveling around 2 miles in East,
we can reach this location. There is no staying facility, lodging facilities
available only in nearby towns at Thiruvalla (or) Chenganancheri.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Arputha Narayanan
Thirukkoil,
Thirukkadithalam,
Kottayam, Kerala - 686105.
LOCATION:
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