DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Malai Naadu |
Malai Naadu | 7thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Dharamaraja
built this temple to repent the killing of his Acharya Drona. Located about 1km
West of the Chengannur Railway Station (Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayankulam rail
route) is the East facing Imayavarappan Divya Desam in Chengannur, a temple
that dates back to the Mahabaratha period. This Chengannur Divya Desam is better
known as the Dharma Raja temple. This temple is also referred to as the Thiru
Chitraru Vishnu temple in Thiru Chenkundroor.
There are 5 other Divya Desams in Chengannur-Thiruvalla-Chenganacheri region
near Kottayam, referred to as ‘Anju-Ambalam’ (Five Temples of Pandavas). It is
important to note that most of the Divya Desams in this region close at 11am.
Hence, one has to plan the trips starting very early in the morning around 5am.
It
was an embarrassing situation for Dharma the eldest of Pandava brothers in the
Kurukshetra battle field. Unless Dronacharya the Guru of Dharma was killed,
Pandavas cannot win. Drona was very fond of his son Aswathama and he could not
bear his loss in the battle field. It was decided to make Drona believe that
Aswathama was killed in the field. Dharma had to do this job. He knows it was
sin to speak a lie of this kind. But there was no option left if he has to win
the war. He told Drona that an elephant also named Aswathama was killed but
toned down his voice while telling the word elephant and raised the voice while
telling the name of Aswathama. Drona could not bear the news and stopped
fighting. He was instantly killed by Dhrushtadyumna against the Yuddha Darma.
Yet,
Dharma could not excuse himself for the deed. After war ended, he came to this
place, performed penance for peace and cleansing. It is said that Darma
renovated this temple. Even before Dharma’s coming to this place, Imayavars
(Devas) came to this place and performed penance on Lord Vishnu. Lord granted
them Darshan and was celebrated as Imayavar Appan – Lord of Devas.
The
town where the temple is situated is Chengundrur. The river flowing near the
temple is Chittraru. Name of the Lord is Imayavar Appan. It is noteworthy that
Nammazhwar has used all these three words in his Mangalasasanam hymn. This is
one of the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Vishnu. Lord Perumal is facing west in
standing form. Lord Shiva had the Darshan of Lord Vishnu here.
The perumal took the Mohini Avathaaram to protect Lord Shivan from Padmaasuram.
Once, there lived an Asuran (Demon) by named "Sugan". He had a son by
Padmaasuran. He got many varams by doing various tapas. Likewise, he got a
peculiar Varam from Lord Shiva that if anyones head is touched over anyones
head, he should be turned into ash.
After
getting the Varam, he wanted to kill Lord Shivan who gave him the Varam and ran
from him and secked the help from Sriman Narayanan. Even the Deva Loga
Kanniyars like Rambai, Oorvasi, Thilothamai tried to change his concentration
by showing their presence infront of him. But, they feared to come infront of
him because they thought he might put his hand on their heads. At that time,
Sriman Narayanan took the most beautiful Mohini Avathaar and came infront of
Padmaasuran. On seeing the beauty of the Mohini, he stood without moving and
wanted to get the happiness of her beauty. At that time, the Mohini who was
actually Sriman Narayanan, said after having the oil bath, he can get the
happiness from her.
On
hearing this, Padmaasuran felt very happy and went towards the tank
(Pushkarani) to have the oil bath. As soon as he applied the oil on his head,
his hand touched his head and at that second, he was turned to ash. And
finally, Sriman Narayanan who took the Mohini Avathaar saved Lord Shivan. At
that time, Sriman Narayanan gave his prathyaksham for Rudhran (Lord Shivan).
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Imayavarappan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sengamalavalli |
|
Theertham |
Sanga Theertham |
Praying here gives
wealth, education, development of business, properity and relieves all sins.
The
annual festival is for ten days which starts from the Atham star day in
Malayalam Month Meenam to Thiruonam star day. Every year in the Month of
January 'Bhagavatha Sapthaham' is done for seven days and on those days
'Anna danam' (free food to the devotees) is also performed.
'Ashtami Rohini' is also celebrated in a grand manner. From Ashtami Rohini day
for ten days 'Dasavathara Charthu Mahotsavam' is celebrated in which every day
for ten days the idol is depicted in the forms of ten incarnations of Lord
Vishnu using sandal wood paste and other rituals are performed in grand scale.
Mandala-Makara Vilakku period (Nov 15 to Jan 20) is celebrated also.
'Pal Payasam'(sweetened milk porridge) is the main offering to Maha Vishnu and
Gopala Krishna. 'Muzhukkappu' (adorning the deity with sandalwood paste), Sweet
items like 'Kadum Payasam' 'Unni Appam' etc are also offered to the Lord by the
devotees. 'Neerajanam' is offered to Ayyappa Swamy. There are large gathering
of devotees visiting Thrichittattu Maha Vishnu Temple especially on Sundays and
Thursdays.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
divya desam is situated 6 miles East to Thiruvaaranvilai, 4 miles west to
Thirupuliyoor, 5 miles North west to Thiruvanvandoor and 10 miles North to Thiruvalvaazh.
We can reach this sthalam also by getting down in a small station through the
Railway lane between Thiruvanandhapuram to Ernakulam via kollam. Bus facilities
are also available.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Imayavarappan
Thirukkoil,
Thiruchittraru,
Alappuzha,
Kerala - 689121.
LOCATION:
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