Narayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple, Ezhupunna, Kerala with 1500 old idol

Narayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple Ezhupunna sreenarayanapuramtemple.com

Sree Narayanapuram Thrikkayil Temple /en.wikipedia.org/

In Kerala, unlike Tamil Nadu, there are no big temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the exception is Sri Padmanabha Swami  temple at Tiruvananthapuram, which is the richest temple in the world. There are  less than 10  Divya Desam Sri Vishnu  shrines in Kerala glorified by the great Tamil  saints -poets Azhawars. There are not that many Shiva temples either in this state. Invariably,  most of the temples are dedicated to various forms of Goddess Sakthi.  The common type of  temple worship at many temples here is Tantric and not Vedic as it is being practiced in other states. The are reasonably good number of Sri Krishna temples, the popular one being Gruvayur Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur.

Located at Ezhupunna in Alappuzha district, Kerala  Sree Narayanapuram Mahavishnu Temple is one of the ancient and famous Vishnu temples in Kerala.  It is  1.5 Km from NH 47 between Eramalloor and Chandiroor.   As per inscriptions and legend, the idol at this temple is of great antiquity and  is approximately 1500 years old.   The Lord Mahavishnu's  idol in the Srikovil is  facing  east and carrying Shangu, Chakra, Gada and Padmam in each of four arms. Other deities here  are Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Shiva, Sasta, Bhadrakali, Nagayakshi and Sarppam. Within the Nalambalam lies the shrine of Ganapathi at the south-west corner. Nagayakshi, Sarppadivangal shrines are  in NE corner.The Sasta and Shiva shrines are at the SW corner outside the Nalambalam.  Bhadrakali shrine is on the left side.  The Srikovil is round-shaped so the roof is conical and the roof of Nalambalam is copper plated. The other Kerala temple features  Balikkalpura, Chembu dhwajam (flag pole) and Anappanthal are very much here.

The annual festival ( held in Makkaram) that lasts for 8 long days is a great event and it begins with flag-hoisting by the temple priest at the auspicious time. The festival comes to a close with Aarattu Mahotsavam - immersion of the procession idol in the near-by river and return of the idol in a procession  back to the temple. The other festivals held in temple are Ashtamirohini, Navarathri Mahotsavam, Thiruvonamuttu, Deepavali, Sivarathri, Vishu Mandalavritham and others.  After puja on the festival days, Annadanam  - offering of  free food to the devotees is held on a grand scale as in other temples across India. 

The important Puja protocols or Vazhipadu are as usual in many Vishnu temples, the important being Pushpanjali, Thrikkaivenna, Palppayasam, Kadalippazha Nivedyam and Thrumadhuram. Each of the pujas is conducted by the priest by chanting the relevant mantras.  The Laksharchana ( One lakh archanas) and Deepakkazhcha  are held every 12 years. The last Laksharchana and Deepakkazhcha  were held  in 2012 and the next ones  fall in 2024. Eroor Pulayannoor Mana has the supreme authority over this temple. The Trust is formed in 1979 it has the right to select  9 members who serve as Devaswam members for the temple. functionalities.
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