The Thiruvazhmarban Temple, also known as Sri Kuralappa Perumal Temple in
Divya Desams of malayala nadu divyadesham dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Thiruvazhmarban and his consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli in kerala tantric traditions .[1]
The oldest inscription in the temple is from 1139 CE indicating gifts to the temple. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple tank is located opposite to the temple, outside the main entrance.
Thiruvazhmarban is believed to have appeared to the
Vaikunta Ekadasi
during Margali (December - January) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by Kanyakumari Devasthanam.
Legend
Kulashekhara Alwar
As per Hindu legend,
Hindu Mythology
are believed to have worshipped Vishnu at this place. Vishnu was pleased by their devotion and appeared at this place.
As per another legend, king Kulasekara, who would go on to become
Kulashekhara Alwar came to this place after a conquest. His horse was lost and he was in search of the horse. He found that the horse was grazing peacefully on the banks of Soma Tirtham, the temple tank. After bathing in the tank, he felt rejuvanted worshipping the Vishnu temple in the banks. He is believed to have constructed the temple and named the place Thiruvanparisaram (pari in Tamil indicates horse). Thiru indicates respect, vazh means live and marban indicates the heart of the person. Since Vishnu held his consort in his heart in this place, he is commonly referred Thiruvazhmarban.[2][3]
History
The exact history of the temple could not be ascertained from the inscriptions. The oldest inscription is dated from 1139 CE, when a person by name Natesan Chetti from Rajendra Cholapattinam offering donations to the temple. Two other inscriptions from the temple are dated 1613 and 1785 indicating record of offerings to the temple. A local historic account states that famous
Thirumalai Nayak (1623-59 CE) visited the place and constructed the stepped temple tank. The inscriptions in the temple refer the place is Thiruvanparisaram.[2]
Architecture
The vimanam of the temple
Thiruvazhmarban temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a five-tiered
Alvars are found in the second precinct.[3] The temple tank, Soma Tirtham is located outside the main shrine. A hall named Kalyana Vimana Mandapa located near the tank houses paintings depicting Dashavatara, the ten avatars of Vishnu.[2]
Religious significance
Soma Tirtham, the temple tank, considered to have curative medicinal powers
Thiruvazhmarban temple is revered in
Divya Desam
, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.
As per Hindu legend,
Nalayira Divya Prabhandam along with the works of other Alvars.[2]
Religious practices and festivals
The temple follows the traditions of the
Vaikuntha Ekadashi during Margali (December - January) being the most prominent. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[3] During the Chittirai Brahmotsavam, the festival deities of the temple are taken around the streets of the temple in a chariot drawn by hundreds of devotees.[8]
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