Tiruvithuvakodu
Temple Information
- Moolavar
- Uyyavantha Perumāl
- Thayaar
- Padmāsini Thāyār
- Vimanam
- Tatvakanchana Vimānam
- Theertham
- Chakra Tīrtham
- How to reach
- This kshethram is located at Tirumithakode, 15 km from Shoranur in Kerala.
Shrine Location
Sthala Puranam
Legend tells the story of Ambarīsha Maharaja, who was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Vishṇu. It is said that one day, the Lord took the form of Indra, mounted Airāvata, and appeared in front of Ambarīsha Maharaja. The Lord then asked Ambarīsha to ask for any wish. Ambarīsha refused by saying he would not ask anyone but Lord Shrīmān Nārāyaṇa for any sort of wish. The Lord was thus impressed by Ambarīsha and revealed Himself in the form of Uyyavantha Perumāl here at this kshethram.
Ambarīsha then asks the Lord to show Himself as His four Vyuhamurthys. Thus, the Lord shows Himself as Vāsudeva, Sankarshaṇa, Anirudha, and Pradyumna. As seen in the picture, there are four vyuhamurthys, which the five Pāṇḍava brothers established. The first Murthy was that of Sankarshaṇa by Yudhishṭhira, followed by Vāsudeva by Arjuna, Anirudha by Bhīma, and Pradyumna by Nakula and Sahadeva.
Special Note
Another story that is connected to the kshethram is as follows. There was once a brahmin who came to South India from the temple of Kashi Vishvanāthar. The brahmin is said to have been carrying an umbrella, which he left near the dwajasthambam and went to bathe in the Bharathapuzha River. When he came back, he noticed that the umbrella had become so heavy that he could not lift it, no matter how hard he tried. It is said that Kashi Vishvanāthar was so attached to his devotee that He had placed Himself inside the umbrella.
When the brahmin left the umbrella near the dwajasthambam, the Lord thought it was the ideal place for Him to establish Himself at the kshetram alongside Lord Vishṇu; thus, a Lingam appeared, which is worshipped to this day.
Azhwar Pasuram
Kulashekara Āzhwār: 10 Pāsurams