Sri Parashurama Kshetram is the temple ascribed for the worship of Sri Parashu Ram, the sixth incarnation of Bhagwan Sri Maha Vishnu. The temple is situated at Thiruvallam at Thiruvanantha Puram, Kerala. The temple is considered as one of the abhimana Kshetrams of Bhagwan Sri Vishnu Murthy.
The temple is under the protection of archeology department of Kerala. The temple is also used for offering prayers to the departed elders in the family.
The temple is said to be atleast 2000 years old. It is believed that the temple was built by Sri Vilvamangalam Swamy. The temple structure is said to be made of black granite. As per the legend, Sri Adhyaman Perumal, the Chera King had reconstructed the temple.
The temple is near Karamana river.
As per the legend, a small Boy had visited Sri Vilvamangalam Swamy offering to be of assistance. The Boy made a stipulation that the Swamy should not get angry at the youngster. One day, the boy had Eaten the prasadam kept for neivedyam to Bhagwan.
The Swamiji got angered. The Boy told him that as Swamiji had breached his promise, He would leave and be at Ananthakadu. Swamiji repented on his anger and went in search of the Boy at Ananthakadu.
There, to his wonder, a huge Iluppa tree fell down and became a huge reclining Vigraha of Sri Vishnu Murthy. He had also discovered that the Boy was none other than Bhagwan Vishnu. The Murthy was too huge. The head was at Thiruvallam, mid portion at Thiruvanantha Puram and the feet were at Thri Padha Puram. Hence Thiruvallam is the Vishnu Kshetram.
Swamiji had requested that the form of the Murthy be reduced. The contracted form is installed at Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple at Thiruvanantha Puram.
As per another legend, Bhagwan Sri Parashu Ram had consecrated Shiv Ling here and did penance. He had done so to alleviate the ill effects of His karma of diminishing His mother as per His father’s orders.
The temple has Dwajasthambams at the front as well as the back.
The temple has a tank as well for taking holy bath. The temple mandapams are used for performing Bali Tharpan for the departed souls.
At the entrance itself we get to the darshan of Sri Parashu Ram who is depicted in the form of a granite idol. Bhagwan appears with an axe in His hand and is facing North.
Near the main sanctum, we get to have the darshan of Sri Brahma. Near the Sannidhi, we can see a separate dedicated shrine for Sri Subramanya, Sri Mathsya and Sri Ved Vyas.
On perambulation, we get the darshan of Bhagwan Shiv at the back of Sri Parashu Ram sanctum. There is a Dwaja Sthamba for Bhagwan Shiv.
In the Prakaram path, we get the darshan of Sri Ganapathy and Sri Krishnar in separate sanctums.
The temple is open from 04.30 A.M to 11.30 A.M and from 05.00 P.M to 08.30 P.M.
Sri Parashu Rama Jayanthi is celebrated in a grand manner at this temple. The Annual Brahmothsavam is held in Thulam month (October – November). The 20 days festival is called as Thiruvonam Aaratu. It commences with holy flag hoisting on Hastham Star-day and culminates on the Thiruvonam Star-day. Aaratu festivals are done in the Karamana river.
On the eve of new moon day in Karkadaka month (July – August), devotees throng to this temple to pay homage to their ancestors by way of Karkadaka Vavu Bali.
The temple can be reached from anywhere in Thiruvanantha Puram. Direct buses are available from the bus stand at East fort.
