Sree Vallabha Temple
Encyclopedia
Sree Vallabha Temple is located in Thiruvalla
in Pathanamthitta District
of Kerala
. It is situates 2½ km from Thiruvalla town.The temple is one among the one hundred and eight vaishnava thirupathis in India, hence it is also one of the important pilgrim centers of the Vaishnavites (worshippers of Vishnu) all over the country. Incidentally, the temple finds mention in many of the Bhajan
s sung by the staunchly Vaishnavite Alwars, particularly Thirumangai Alvar
and Nammalvar
of the 7th-9th century CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams
.
The temple complex enclosed in a large area in picturesque surroundings, holds the main sanctum dedicated to Lord Vishnu as well as smaller shrines dedicated to five other deities including Garudaswamy, Sathrusamharamoorthy, Ganapathy
, Ayyappan and Kurayappaswamy. The sanctum sanctorum of the main shrine houses a six feet tall idol of Maha Vishnu. The temple is noted for its exquisite carvings. The temple, built in typical Kerala style architecture, has fine carvings and murals and the main shrine is surrounded by ‘Anakottils’ on all four sides.
The main feature of the temple is its 50 feet tall flag post carved out from a single rock, with a massive idol of Garuda (the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu) on top, believed to be created by the ‘Perumthachan’, an ancient legendary master craftsman from Kerala. The bottom of the flag post is believed to be deep enough to touch the underground water level. The large tank enclosed in a one storied structure near the temple is believed to be formed naturally from a spring.
In earlier days, women are not allowed near main sanctum sanctorum except on the Vishu and Thiruvathira days. This temple is famous for the traditional Kathakali
performances almost every night of the year and it is perhaps the only temple in Kerala where Kathakali is regularly performed as a ritual offering to a deity worshipped in the temple by the devotees after the evening Pooja, and this can be sponsored by the devotees.
The festivities of the temple arise twice a year, in February - March and in March – April. The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
There is also a specific location within the temple wherein it is believed that there is presence of the great sage Durvasava.The temple is also surrounded by gigantic walls.These walls were built within one night.However constructing such large structures and that too within such a short time frame is impossible for human beings,hence it is believed that these massive structures were built by the demons of Lord Shiva.
In the year 1656-57 period Dutch entered the temple and dismantling the hand of the Deity. They looted Gold and other things. As per Records, this temple was the richest temple in the world
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
in Pathanamthitta District
Pathanamthitta district
Pathanamthitta district is the youngest district located in the southern part of the state of Kerala, India. The district headquarters is in Pathanamthitta town. The district is surrounded by Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts. It has a border with the state of Tamil Nadu in the east...
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. It is situates 2½ km from Thiruvalla town.The temple is one among the one hundred and eight vaishnava thirupathis in India, hence it is also one of the important pilgrim centers of the Vaishnavites (worshippers of Vishnu) all over the country. Incidentally, the temple finds mention in many of the Bhajan
Bhajan
A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
s sung by the staunchly Vaishnavite Alwars, particularly Thirumangai Alvar
Thirumangai Alvar
Thirumangai Alvar or Tirumangai Alvar or Tirumankai Alvar or Thirumangai Mannan is the last of the 12 Alvar saints of south India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He is considered one of the most learned Alvar and the most superior Alvar in the context of...
and Nammalvar
Nammalvar
Nammalvar also Nammazhwar,Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar;Tamil: நம்மாழ்வார்) was one of the twelve Alvars, well known for his many hymns on devotion to Vishnu. Legend gives him the date 3102 B.C....
of the 7th-9th century CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams
Divya Desams
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars . 105 of these are located in India, 1 in Nepal, while 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms. 'Divya' in Tamil language indicates premium and 'Desam' indicates place or temple.The two major deities...
.
The temple complex enclosed in a large area in picturesque surroundings, holds the main sanctum dedicated to Lord Vishnu as well as smaller shrines dedicated to five other deities including Garudaswamy, Sathrusamharamoorthy, Ganapathy
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
, Ayyappan and Kurayappaswamy. The sanctum sanctorum of the main shrine houses a six feet tall idol of Maha Vishnu. The temple is noted for its exquisite carvings. The temple, built in typical Kerala style architecture, has fine carvings and murals and the main shrine is surrounded by ‘Anakottils’ on all four sides.
The main feature of the temple is its 50 feet tall flag post carved out from a single rock, with a massive idol of Garuda (the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu) on top, believed to be created by the ‘Perumthachan’, an ancient legendary master craftsman from Kerala. The bottom of the flag post is believed to be deep enough to touch the underground water level. The large tank enclosed in a one storied structure near the temple is believed to be formed naturally from a spring.
In earlier days, women are not allowed near main sanctum sanctorum except on the Vishu and Thiruvathira days. This temple is famous for the traditional Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
performances almost every night of the year and it is perhaps the only temple in Kerala where Kathakali is regularly performed as a ritual offering to a deity worshipped in the temple by the devotees after the evening Pooja, and this can be sponsored by the devotees.
The festivities of the temple arise twice a year, in February - March and in March – April. The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
See also
- Temples of KeralaTemples of KeralaThe list of the Temples of Kerala, district wise.-Thiruvananthapuram:* Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple* Pazhavangady Maha Ganapati Temple* Sreekanteswaram Shiva Temple* Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple* Kurumkalam Bhagavati Temple* Kovilvila Bhagavati Temple...
- Pathanamthitta DistrictPathanamthitta districtPathanamthitta district is the youngest district located in the southern part of the state of Kerala, India. The district headquarters is in Pathanamthitta town. The district is surrounded by Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts. It has a border with the state of Tamil Nadu in the east...
There is also a specific location within the temple wherein it is believed that there is presence of the great sage Durvasava.The temple is also surrounded by gigantic walls.These walls were built within one night.However constructing such large structures and that too within such a short time frame is impossible for human beings,hence it is believed that these massive structures were built by the demons of Lord Shiva.
In the year 1656-57 period Dutch entered the temple and dismantling the hand of the Deity. They looted Gold and other things. As per Records, this temple was the richest temple in the world