Sri Maayapiran Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu,who is worshipped as Imayavarappan.
Shrine’s History
Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints – Nammalvar, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera Empire.Another of the Azhwars, ThirumangaiAzhwar has mentioned Thirupuliyur in one of his verses in his Siriya Thirumadal.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
It is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur area of Kerala, connected with the legend of Mahabharata. Legend has it that the Pandava princes, after crowning Parikshit as king of Hastinapura left on a pilgrimage. On arriving on the banks of river Pamba, each one is believed to have installed a tutelary image of Krishna; Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple by Bheema, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple by Sahadeva. It is said that this sthalam is constructed and built by Bhima, one of the Panja – Paandavaas. He worshipped this sthalaperumal, Maayapiraan. Sapta Rishis – Atthri, Vasishtar, Kaasyapar, Gouthamar, Bharadwajar, 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 Emperumaan. 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 the beauty of the entire empire seems to be decreasing.
At that time, the king thought, if any Dhaanam is given to Sapta Rishis, it might increase the wealth and beauty of the Empire. As a result of this, he thought of giving the Dhaanam to Saptha rishis. But, Sapta Rishis did not accept his Dhaanam, Since if any flood (or) decrease in the wealth and health in the entire empire is due to some reasons of the ruling king. So, they found some problem might by with virukshadherbi and did not accept the Dhaanam. But, he wants them to accept his Dhaanam, and as a result of this, he asks his palace officials to keep some gold inside the fruits and give them that, so that they will accept that and simultaneously his Dhaanam is also accepted. But, knowing the truth that some golds are placed inside the fruit through their yogic power, they did not accept the fruits also.
After the fruits which are given as Dhaanam is being rejected by the Sapta Rishis, Virukshadharbi got angry on all 7 rishis and tried them to kill and as a result of this cruel mind, he started a Yaagam in which a lady Pishacha by named “Kiruthyai” arose and he ordered the demon to kill all the sapta Rishis. Knowing this, Emperumaan sends Indra to destroy Kiruthyai and to protect the Sapta Rishis. Likewise, Indra killed the demon and all the Sapta Rishis got the seva of the Emperumaan and got their Mukthi. During Mahabharata war, Bhima underwent penace worshipping the lord here. Bheema was 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.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
National Highway NH 47 passes through the city connecting the city to other major cities like Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kollam, Trivandrum etc. The state run KSRTC buses connecting the city from all other major cities.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Chengannur railway station.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach Sri Maayapiran Perumal temple is Calicut International Airport.
Shrine Timings
4.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Annual Festival January/February
Chithirai Tiruvonam April/May
Janmashtami September
Vaikunda Ekadasi December/January
Extra Information About this Shrine
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Puthukulangara Devi Temple
Sree Khanda Kharna Swamy Temple
Erattakulangara Sri Mahadeva Temple
