Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple, also known as Adbhuta Narayanan Temple, is a famous temple located at Thrikodithanam in Kerala. It is about 2 km from Changanacherry in Kottayam District. Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu temple is among the five Pandava temples in Kerala that dates back to the 9th century. The temple celebrates many festivals on a grand scale. Few festivals are celebrated every month while there are festivals that are celebrated annually. During these festival periods, the temple is tastefully decorated with lights and flowers. Some of the festivals that are celebrated here have been mentioned below:
Monthly Festivals of Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
There are few festivals that are celebrated every month by the temple authorities:
Ekaadashi and Dwaadashi
This festival is celebrated on the 11th and 12th day of the lunar month. It is day Lord Krishna gave Geethopadesha to Arjuna.
Pradosham
This festival is celebrated on the 13th day of a lunar fortnight. It is a day of fasting and praying to Lord Shiva. It is said that on this Shiva appeared as Nataraja and danced to please the gods.
Chaturthi
This festival is celebrated on the fourth day of a fortnight. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha to help ward off obstacles.
Sashti
This festival is celebrated on the 6th day of a full moon fortnight. It is dedicated to Subramanya for progeny and prosperity.
Ashtami
On this festival special rituals for Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are celebrated.
Pournami
It is celebrated on a full moon night.
Annual Festivals of Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple
There are few festivals that are celebrated every year by the temple authorities:
The main festival of the temple is celebrated for 10 days. The main festival of 10 days duration takes place in the lunar month of Vrishchigom (16 November- 15 December). On the ninth day, Thiru Onam of this holy month, the temple flag is hoisted to mark the commencement of festivities.
The first five days of festivities resemble the celebrations of other temple festivals. Daily processions carry Krishna and Sahadeva idols towards East, West, North and South of the temple. From the sixth day many events that are special and unique to Thrikodithanam temple are celebrated. Some of the special ceremonies and arts that mark the festival season are:
Plaam keeyil kottu: It is a percussion session held under the old Jackfruit tree.
Panacchikaletta: This event marks the beginning of Deepa. It begins at around 1:00 AM on the 10th night. South of the temple, at a spot called Edapzhanji padikkal, an orchestra plays the Vikku chenda, Thimila, Chekkil, Ilathaalam for more than an hour. The musicians then proceed westwards.
Chhadi Kottu: On this occasion the orchestra arrives at the western entrance of the temple. After offering prayers to Narasimhamoorthy, they then use the same musical instruments to perform Chaadikottu. In this performance, the drummers leap and jump in a certain way while moving towards the eastern entrance and Deepa site
Otta Kol Kottu: On this occasion performers by drumming with a single stick on the Vikku chenda create a unique rhythm. After this, between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM, the main ceremony for Deepa begins.
Murian Kulam: It is the ceremonial baths that take place in the temple pond.
Kodi naatin kunnu: It is the hoisting a flag on an adjacent hill.
The spectacular Deepa event is conducted on the north eastern side of the temple Thirumuttom (grounds). It commences after dusk on the 9th Festival Day and carries on until the early hours of 10th day morning.