Sri Mahavishnu Temple – Puliyoor

 

Sri Mahavishnu Temple is located in Puliyoor in Alappuzha district of Kerala State.

It is one of the 108 divyadesam temples.

Here Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Mayapiran and Goddess Lakshmi as Porkodi Naachiyar.

This ancient shrine is located in the Chengannur area of Kerala and is associated with the Mahabharata legend. It is believed that each of the five Pandavas built one temple: Yudhishthira's Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple, Bhima's Puliyoor Mahavishnu Temple, Arjuna's Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Nakula's Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple, and Sahadeva's Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple.

It is said that this Place was constructed and built by Bhima, one of the Pandavas. He worshipped the deity of this temple, Mayapiran. The seven sages - Atri, Vasishtar, Kashyapar, Gautamar, Bharadvajar, Vishvamitra, and Jamadagni got the seva of this Maayapiraan along with porkodi Naachiyaar, and through Indra, it is said that all these Saptarishis got their Mukti towards the emperuman.

Once, Virukshadharbi, who was the son of Sibhi Chakravarthy, ruled an empire where there was a flood and there was no proper vegetation, and the wealth and beauty of the entire empire seemed to be decreasing. At that time, the king thought, that if any austerities were given to Sapta Rishis, it might increase the wealth and beauty of the Empire. As a result of this, he invited Saptarishis, the seven important sages. But, the Saptarishis did not accept his charity, since they felt that the reduction of wealth and health in the entire empire was on account of the deeds of the ruling king. But, the king wanted them to accept his donation, and as a result of this, he asked his palace officials to keep some gold inside the fruits and give them that, so that they would accept that and simultaneously his charity is also accepted. But, knowing the truth that some golds are placed inside the fruit through their yogic power, the sages did not accept the fruits either. Virukshadharbi got angry with the Saptharishis and tried to kill and as a result of this cruel mind, he started a Yaagam in which a lady Pishacha named "Kiruthyai" arose and he ordered the demon to kill all of them. Knowing this, Emperumaan sent Indra to destroy Kiruthyai and protect the sages. Indra killed the demon and all the Sapta Rishis got the seva of the Emperumaan and got their Mukthi.

During the Mahabharata war, Bhima underwent penance worshipping the lord here. Bheema was the most powerful among the five brothers and this temple is large indicating his largess. Also, the Gatha, the weapon used by Bheema is believed to be present in the temple.

This temple was built in the Kerala Style of architecture

The central shrine called Sreekovil houses the image of the presiding deity. It is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through five steps. As per Kerala rituals, only the main priest called Thantri, and the second priest called Melshanthi alone can enter the Sree Kovil.

The temple has shrines of Dakshinamurthy, Krishna, Bhagavati, and Ayyappa.

The two major festivals celebrated in the temple are Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Thiruvonam. The main annual festival is for ten days each year in the month of Medam (April/May).

Timings

5.30 am to 11.00 am

5.00 pm to 8.00 pm