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Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple in Thrissur

Triprayar Sree Rama Swami Temple, one of the most important temples of Lord Rama is located in Thrissur in Kerala.

Triprayar Temple’s deity of Lord Rama is popularly called as Triprayar Thevar or Triprayarappan. The original deity of Lord Rama was worshipped in Dwaraka by Lord Krishna. When Lord Krishna left his mortal body and went back to Gowlok Dham, this deity of Lord Rama was immersed in the sea. It was found by some fishermen near Kerala’s Chettuva region and Vakkayil Kaimal, who was the local ruler at that time installed the idol in the temple that he constructed at Triprayar.

View of Rama Swami Temple

The deity of Triparayar Thevar is very much like the Chaturbhuja form of Lord Vishnu. This form of Lord Vishnu comes with four arms, one bearing Sudarshana Chakra, one Panchajanya, one Kodanda and a garland respebtively. The local people believe that this deity also possesses some aspects of Lord Shiva too. When Lord Rama killed Khara, the asura, He got both the Vaishnava and Shiva aspects. This is the reason why the deity is also called as Khara Samhara Moorthy. Since Lord Rama is portrayed with a garland in one hand, people are of the opinion that aspects of Brahma are also present. Therefore, it is believed that the deity is the manifestation of Trimoorthis. Bhudevi and Sreedevi are present on either side of the deity.

Over the passage of time, there was severe wear and tear of the deity of Lord Rama and since He did not want that the vigraha be changed, Panchaloha raiment was made and the original stone image is covered with the same.

Sub deities (Upadevathas) in the temple

Hanuman

Lord Rama’s best devotee, Hanuman does not have any separate idol. It is believed that He is personally present in the Namaskara Mandapam of temple. It is a normal practice to bow before the mandapa, believing that Hanuman is present there before one goes to worship Lord Rama. He is offered flattened rice or avil that is made out of dried paddy.

Dakshinamoorthy

The deity of Dakshinamoorthy is in the form of Shiva Linga which is adorned with crescent moon and garlands of Rudraksha. He is worshipped in the Garbhagraha of Lord Rama.

Ganapathy

Inside the Nalambalam, there are two deities of Ganapathy. One is in the Garbhagriha facing the south and one is in Nalambalam’s south west corner.

Ayyappa

In the south side of the courtyard, outside of Nalambalam, there is a shrine of Ayyappa. It is believed that is more ancient than the Rama temple. The presiding deity of the main festival of Kerala, Arattupuzha Pooram is Triprayar Thevar. The other participants of this temple are Bhagavathys and Sasthas of various other temples.

Gosala Krishnan

On the north side of the courtyard near the main temple, Gosala Krishna’s shrine is present. The deity of Lord Krishna faces the east direction. In the earlier Sandesa Kavyas, there is a mention of the Gosala Krishna Temple.

Triprayar Rama Swami Temple’s Architecture

Rich wood carvings adorn the temple. The circular sreekovil comes with a conical roof that is covered with copper and Thazhikakkudam of golden colour surmounts it. Various scenes of the Ramayana are depicted on the circular sanctum and beautiful murals adorn the temple’s walls. The copper plated Namaskara Mandaps has 24 panels of carved wood which represents the Navagrahas.

History and Legends

Origin of the name and the sacred Theevra River

Being situated on the bank of the River Theevra, which was also known as Purayar, this place got named as Thirupurayar and later came to be known as Triprayar. Local people tell an interesting legend about the origin of this sacred river. When Lord Vishnu came in Vamana Avatar, he was travelling to Thrikkakkara and enroute, he visited this place. Since the whole area was dry, he could not find water to wash his dirty legs. He used the water out of his Kamandalu and washed his legs by pouring the same. Since that time, the source of water did not dry and kept flowing. It was now called as Thriprayar or Thiru Purayar.

Attack on the Temple by Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan ravaged many temples in India and Triprayar Thevar was also not spared. In order to check the divinity of the deity, he struck at the hand of the idol and soon, blood started coming out. Now, he developed faith in God and repented for his misdeed. In order to make amendments, he donated land to the temple.

Festivals at Triprayar Sri Rama Swami Temple

Pooram and Ekadasi are celebrated in March-April and November-December respectively are the two festivals that are celebrated annually in the Rama Swami Temple. During the Ekadasi festival, Ayyappa is taken out in procession with 21 elephants participating. People from all parts of the country come here to be a part of the celebration.

Offerings

Meen Oottu

There are many fishes in the Purayar Temple that flows in front of the temple. It is the main offering here as people believe that these fishes are the pets of the Lord and feeding them will make the Lord happy. Majority of patients suffering from Asthma get relieved from their problems when they offer Meen Oottu.

The other offerings include - Kathina Vedi Vazhipadu, Chathan Bhandaram, Chakyar Koothu, Chandanam Charthu, Palpayasam, and various archanas ect.

Different poojas and timings

3AM- 12 PM
4.30PM- 8.30PM

As in almost all temples in Kerala, five poojas are conducted in this temple also. Usha pooja, Ucha pooja, Panthiradi pooja, Ethirtha pooja, Athazha pooja. The deity of Sri Rama is carried around the temple thrice daily in sheevelis (Ucha sheeveli, Usha sheeveli, Athazha sheeveli). Athazha Pooja and Nirmalya Darshan are considered to be the most sacred of all.

Accommodation near Temple

Triprayar Devaswom Satram, a small shelter for the pilgrims is available near the temple. It is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board. Economical rooms are available here and charge 200-300 INR on per day basis.
Contact No. 0487-2391375

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