Following the sacred trail of the Pancha Pandava temples, the remaining three shrines—Puliyur, Aranmula, and Thiruvanvandoor—each offer a unique synthesis of Mahabharata legend and Kerala’s distinct architectural heritage.
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| Mahavishnu temple,Puliyur KE X.com |
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| Thirupapuliyur, Sri Maayapiran Perumal en.wikipedia.org |
Legend and History
The temple's antiquity is rooted in the 9th century, with hymns by Nammalvar and Thirumangai Alvar. Legend states that Bhima performed penance here during the Pandavas' pilgrimage. A unique feature of this temple is the presence of a Gadha (mace), symbolizing Bhima's weapon. Another prominent legend involves the Sapta Rishis (seven sages) who performed penance here. When a local king, Virukshadharbi, tried to trick the sages into accepting gold hidden in fruits, they refused. The enraged king sent a demon to kill them, but Lord Vishnu intervened, sending Indra to protect the sages and granting them Moksha.
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| Mahavishnu temple, Puliyur mahavishnuinfo.org/ |
Architecture and Festivals
Built in the traditional Kerala style, the temple features Thiruchittampalam, Nalambalam, pradakshina patha,etc besides a circular Sreekovil with a conical roof called the Purusha Sukta Vimanam. The Adhishtana (base) is made of granite, while the walls are laterite decorated with colorful paintings of Vishnu’s avatars. Like many Kerala temples the adhistanam consists of jagathy, muppattai, kumuda, and parativari. The bhitti is plain without any windows or pilasters. The water spout -pranala is gently jettisoned out through Yashi's mouth, supported by a bhuta gana. The other interesting features are many carefully made paintings on the wall of Sree Kovil, highlighting the avatars of Maha vishnu.
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| water spout -pranala veludharan.blogspot.com |
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| Vishnu avatar paintings on the outer wall Sree kovil veludharan.blogspot.com |
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| Sree Kovil Mahavishnu temple, Puliyur india.blogspot.com |
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| Mahavishnu temple, Puliyur templefolks.com |
Main Festivals: The annual 10-day festival in the month of Medam (April/May) and the Kavadiyattam in the month of Thai (January/February) are the primary celebrations.
https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2025/08/puliyur-mahavishnu-temple-thripuliyoor_14.html
https://templefolks.com/temple-pedia/mahavishnu-temple-puliyur
https://www.mahavishnuinfo.org/2024/04/thirupuliyoor-sri-maayapiran-perumal.html
2. Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:
The Charioteer of Arjuna The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on the banks of the Pampa River in Pathanamthitta is perhaps the most famous of the five Pandava shrines in Kerala. Dedicated to Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy (Arjuna's charioteer), it was consecrated by Arjuna.
This temple is an important Divya Desam shrines in Kerala where Mangalasasanam was done by Vaishnava Tamil saint Nammazhwar. Moolavar is parthasarathy or Seshasana;Thayar: Padmasini Nachiyar.
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| Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Kerala en.wikipedia.org |
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| Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula en.wikipedia.org |
Legend and Significance
Arjuna is said to have built this temple as penance for the "unrighteous" killing of an unarmed Karna during the Kurukshetra war. The name "Aranmula" is derived from Aru-mula (six pieces of bamboo), referring to the raft used to bring the idol to this location via the Pamba River. It is also the storage site for the Thiruvabharanam (sacred jewels) of Lord Ayyappa before they are taken to Sabarimala.
Architecture and Cultural Heritage
The temple sits on high ground, accessed by a flight of 18 steps from the eastern side and 57 steps from the northern side leading to the Pamba River. The idol of Parthasarathy is 6 feet tall, the largest among Krishna idols in Kerala. It is renowned for its 18th-century murals and the unique Aranmula Kannadi (metal mirrors) traditionally crafted by local families.
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| Conical Sree Kovil Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple veludharan.blogspot.com |
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| Vilakku Madam Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple veludharan.blogspot.com |
Main Festival: The world-renowned Aranmula Boat Race (Vallamkali) occurs during Onam, symbolizing the legendary journey of the deity.
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| procession of Thanka Anki, for Lord Ayyappa indianeconomicobserver.com |
The annual ceremonial procession to ward the end of December carrying the golden attire(the Thanka Anki) for Lord Ayyappa would normally commence from the Aranmula Parthasarathy ahead of the Mandala Pooja at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam, marking the conclusion of the 41-day Mandala pilgrimage season at the Sabarimala temple.
https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2025/08/aranmula-parthasarathy-temple_13.html
https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/2023/aranmula-vallasadya-pathanamthitta/1332
3. Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple:
The Peace of Nakula Situated near Chengannur, the Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple honors Vishnu as Paambanaiyappan (or Kamalanathan) and was established by the fourth Pandava, Nakula. The consort of Sri Vishnu is Kamavalli Thayar. Mangalasasanam was done by Vaishnava Tamil saint Nammazhwar.
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| Thiruvanvandoor Pambanaiappan Temple en.wikipedia.org |
Legend and Historical Roots
The temple's name, Paambanaiappan, signifies the Lord who reclines on the serpent (Anantha), though the deity here is in a standing posture. Historical inscriptions date the structure to the Second Chera Empire (800–1102 CE). Like the others, it was glorified by Nammalvar. Sage Bhrigu is also believed to have performed penance and consecrated this shrine. Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Azhwar saints - Nammazhwar in circa 800 AD.
Architecture and Traditions
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| Thiruvanvandoor Vishnu temple Kerala veludharan.blogspot.com |
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| Conical roofed Sree Kovil Thiruvanvandoor Vishnu temple en.wikipedia.org |
Main Festival: The temple hosts a massive 51-day annual festival that culminates in a grand Gajamela (elephant parade), featuring 21 caparisoned elephants. It also celebrates the Thiruvaimozhi festival in honor of the saint Nammazhwar.
This is one of the five ancient temples in and around Chengannur, Kerala. These five temples are connected with the Epic Mahabharata, where the Pancha Pandavas are believed to have built one temple each.
Sree Mayapiran Temple at Puliyur by Bheema, . Sree Parthasarathy/ Thirukural Appan Temple at Aranmula by Arjuna and Sree Pambanaiappan/ Kamalanathan Temple at Thiruvanvandoor by Nakula are covered briefly in this post. In ihe much earlier posts separately I have covered Sri Imaya Varappan Temple at Thrichittatt by Yudhishthira and Sri Atputha Narayanan/ Amrutha Narayanan Temple at Thrikodithanam by Sahadeva.
https://www.astroved.com/astropedia/en/temples/south-india/thiruvanvandoor-mahavishnu-temple
https://kalyangeetha.wordpress.com/tag/thiruvanvandoor-mahavishnu-temple-dd85
https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2025/08/thiruvanvandoor-mahavishnu-temple.html
