Thuluvannur Sree Mahavishnu Temple

Overview

Thuluvannur Sree Mahavishnu Temple is located is a major Muncipality situated at the north end of Kannur district in Kerala. Payyanur is very famous for its rich cultural heritage.

About the Deity

Thuluvannur was one of the important Tulu Gramam in ancient Kerala. Thuluvannur Sree Mahavishnu Temple was the Grama Kshethra of Thuluvannur and Lord Mahavishnu was known as Thuluvannurappan. It is believed that the temple was constructed in the Chozha regime centuries by the Seevolli Namboothiris (Thulu desa Brahmins) who were strong Vaishnavites. The Four Armed (Chaturbahu) Idol of Lord Mahavishnu is the main prathishta in this temple. The Sudarshana Chakra in the hand of the Lord idol can be found as if it is ‘ready for use’. The important offering in this temple is Vishnu Pooja.

About the Temple

Ancient Kerala which is believed to have been created by Lord Parasurama, spread between Kanyakumari and Gokarnam was divided into 64 Gramas - 32 Malayala Gramas and 32 Tulu Gramas. Each Grama had a Gramakshethra. Payyanur was the last Malayala Gramam and Sree Subrahmanya Temple was the Gramakshethra of Payyanur. Thuluvannur was the first Tulu Grama adjacent to Payyanur. Thuluvannur Mahavishnu Temple was the Gramakshethra of Thuluvanur Gramam. Due to one reason or the other, the Thulu Brahmins who were the caretakers of the Thuluvannur Temple had to leave the place and travel to Northern side which has resulted in the ruin of the temple. Thus the temple, for a long time was in a deserted situation without a caretaker. The Four Armed (Chaturbahu) Lord Mahavishnu is the principal deity of this temple. Sree MahaGanapati, Sree Ayyappa, SreeBhagavati and Navagrahas are the sub deities here.

Legend and Stories

Covered with wild shrubs and trees, till a few years ago, Thuluvannur was a deserted area in serene seclusion on the banks of the river Kavvayi. A portion of the river jutting towards the place like a small lake was known by the sweet name, 'Palthirapuzha' - the river of milky ripples. Though a deserted place, it appeared to be hiding some mystery. However, a few years ago the jungle area on the banks of the Palthirapuzha came under the close scrutiny of some inquisitive youngsters of the locality. They discovered a ruined platform there. Though it was taken for a site of an ancient temple, there was no conclusive proof. From the central hole of this supposed sanctum sanctorum grew a thorny Kara tree. Who might have been the deity there? No one could answer. The jungle was cleared and a temporary shrine was constructed near the south western corner of the old foundation. The old platform was removed and a new one proposed to be constructed. As the work started, the huge spreading Kara tree began withering away itself as if voluntarily withdrawing from the scene. Order was placed for carving a Vishnu idol, and the rituals according to the Vaishnavite mode of tantrik customs were being planned. However doubts assailed some people at this stage as there was no evidence to support the prasna revelation that it was a Vishnu temple. Will it not be against the custom if it were once a Devi or Shiva shrine, this problem troubled some minds. At this stage a miracle occurred dispelling all doubts.

A devotee and tree lover, came there one day with a banyan tree sapling searching around for a suitable place to plant it. At last he selected a place which normally one would hesitate to choose as it was very near a coconut tree and close to the edge of a footpath. He dug the place for taking a pit when the spade stuck a stone. As the stone was cleared, an adjacent stone was uncovered, both forming part of a circular row of stones - the edge of a well! With this discovery, people began clearing the well and by the evening, as the auspicious conch sounded at dusk, a heavy idol was unearthed from the well. It was an idol of great beauty - a chathur bahu idol of Lord Mahavishnu! The recovered ancient idol was installed in the temporary shrine. Further Prasna revelation said that as the idol was in a partly broken condition; its spiritual power should be withdrawn and transferred to a new idol which should be finally installed in a new shrine.

'Sankalpika Prathishta' performed by Kalakattillathu Sreedharan Namboothirippad

Festivals

Annual Festival (Kodiyetta Maholsavam): The sacred 6-day annual festival commences on the 26th February and concludes with the Avabritha Snanam (Araat) on the 3rd March. During the days of the festival, there will be performance of the temple arts and Prasada-feast (Annadanam) for all devotees.

How To Reach Thuluvannur Sree Mahavishnu Temple

Airport

The Nearest Airport is Mangalore Airport and Calicut Airport.

Railways

The Nearest railway station is Payyanur railway station.

Road

The Nearest Bus stop is Payyanur to reach here from Kannur its 40Km.

Temple Address

Thuluvannur Sree Mahavishnu Temple,
Thayineri Road, Payyanur,
Kannur, Kerala 670307