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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Kshethram
| image = Thrikkakara Temple DSC09337.JPG
| alt = Thrikkakara Temple Entrance
| caption = Thrikkakara Temple Entrance
| map_type = India Kerala
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|10|2|8|N|76|19|48|E|type:landmark_region:IN-KL|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Ernakulam]]
| locale = [[Thrikkakara]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Vamana]] ([[Vishnu]]), Thrikkakarayappan, Perunchelvanayagi, Vathsalyavalli<ref name="acharya.org">{{Cite web|url=http://acharya.org/dd/k/thiru-kAtkarai.html|title = Thiru kAtkarai}}</ref>
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]] ([[Architecture of Kerala|Kerala style]])
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple''' (also referred as '''Thirukatkarai Vamanamoorthy''' <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.divyadesam.com/hindu/temples/kerala/kaatkarai-temple.shtml|title=Thirukatkarai Kerala Temples, Sri Kaatkarai Appa Perumal Temple, Sri Lakshmi, Hindu Temple, Indian Temples}}</ref><ref name="acharya.org">{{Cite web|url=http://acharya.org/dd/k/thiru-kAtkarai.html|title = Thiru kAtkarai}}</ref>) is one of the few Hindu temples in [[India]] dedicated to [[Vamana|Lord Vamana/Vishnu]]. It is situated in [[Thrikkakara]], [[Kochi]] in the [[States of India|state]] of [[Kerala]], India. Located around 10 km north-east of the city center between [[Thrissur]]-[[Ernakulam]] highway ([[National Highway 47 (India)|NH 47]]), [[Seaport-Airport Road]], [[Cochin University of Science and Technology]] and [[Model Engineering College]], it is a centre of celebrations and a place of origin for the popular [[Onam]] festival.<ref name= Hindu2014>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/myth-mystique-and-traditions-of-onam/article2433921.ece | location =Kochi, India | work=The Hindu | title=Myth, mystique and traditions of Onam| date=2014-08-21}}</ref> The temple is around two millennia old<ref name= TOI2013>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/New-Siva-temple-at-Thrikkakara-to-be-ready-by-Onam/articleshow/21799954.cms | location =Kochi, India | work=The Times of India| title=New Siva temple at Thrikkakara to be ready by Onam| date=2013-08-13}}</ref> and is also listed as one of the 108 [[Divya Desams]] (divine places).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/N/Nammalvar/index.htm |title=Nammalvar : Poems and Biography |publisher=Poetry-chaikhana.com |access-date=2011-07-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810070057/http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/N/Nammalvar/index.htm |archive-date=2011-08-10 }}</ref><ref name="108 Divya Desams">{{cite web|last=Elayavalli|first=Venkatesh K.|title=108 Divya Desam: A Virtual Tour|url=http://www.srivaishnava.org/ddesam/ddesam.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719231824/http://www.srivaishnava.org/ddesam/ddesam.htm|archive-date=2011-07-19}}</ref>

The main temple festival is during the [[Onam]] season, which falls on the month of August or September and is the most important event of the religious calendar here. The [[Onasadya]] or the Onam feast is held in a grand manner in the temple with people of various religions participating in it. After [[East India Company]] and [[Marthandavarma]] illegally annexed the territory from [[Kingdom of Kochi]], the Onam festival was jointly organized by the 61 ''Naduvazhis'' (local rulers) under the leadership of the [[Maharaja of Travancore]], till India regained independence. Communal harmony continues to be the hallmark of the celebrations, with people belonging to different religions turning out in large numbers for the Sadya in keeping with the spirit of the festival.<ref name= Hindu2011>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2443999.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Grandeur marks Onam celebrations at Thrikkakkara temple | date=2011-09-11}}</ref><ref name= Hindu2011b>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2444007.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Thiruvonam celebrated with enthusiasm | date=2011-09-11}}</ref> Apart from Onam, the temple also observes important festivals in the Hindu calendar such as [[Vishu]], [[Makara Sankranti]],<ref name= HinduMakarSankranthi>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/let-a-million-lamps-glow/article2804743.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Let a million lamps glow | date=2011-09-11}}</ref> [[Navarathri]] and [[Saraswati Puja]].

==Architecture and deities==
[[File:Chuttuvilakku.jpg|thumb|left|The Chuttu-Vilakku (surrounding lamps) lit up during Onam at Thrikkakara temple]]

The temple complex, which is enclosed in a large area with picturesque surroundings, holds the main sanctum dedicated to [[Vamana|Lord Vamana]]. The sanctum sanctorum of the main shrine houses the idol of [[Vishnu]]. The idol is in the form of Lord Vamana preparing to place his foot on the Brahmin Asura King Mahabali.<ref name= Asianet2015>{{cite news| url=http://www.asianetnews.tv/onam2015/news/thrikkakkara-festival-starts-32694 | location =Kochi, India | work=Asianet News | title=ഓണക്കാലത്തിന്റെ വരവറിയിച്ച് തൃക്കാക്കരയില്‍ ഉത്സവത്തിനു കൊടിയേറി| date=2015-08-31}}</ref> [[Parasurama|Lord Parashurama]] is said to have established the temple.<ref name="Asianet2015" /> The temple also houses records containing the earliest mention of the celebration of the Onam festival dating to 861 [[Common Era]].<ref name= Hindu2015>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/the-many-shades-of-onam/article7565964.ece | location =Kochi, India | work=The Hindu | title=The many shades of Onam| date=2015-08-21}}</ref> The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The sub-deities of Vamana temple are [[Bhagavati]], [[Shasta (deity)|Sasthavu]], [[Krishna|Gopalakrishna]], [[Nāga]], [[Brahmarakshasa]] and Yakshi. The [[Brahmarakshas]] shrine is located in the outer complex, along with a Banyan-tree god (ആൽദേവത) and the [[Sarpa Kavu]]. Surrounding the inner complex walls is a series of thousands of lamps called ''Chuttuvilakku'' which translates to 'surrounding lamps'. There are two ponds associated with the temple, one is the ''Kapilatheertham'' located closer to the temple on the Northern side of the sanctum sanctorum, and is accessible only to priests. The other pond is located on the Northern side outside the temple walls, and is used regularly during the ''Aaraattu'' ceremonial bath of the idol during Onam celebrations.

There is also a [[Shiva]] temple beside the main Vamanamoorthy temple, which was renovated in 2014.<ref name= TOI2013 /> It houses idols of the deities [[Shiva]], [[Ganesha]], [[Karthikeya]] and [[Durga]]. Not much is known about the age and origin of the Shiva temple except that it underwent renovation around a hundred years ago.<ref name= TOI2013 />

Apart from the shrines and ponds, the temple complex houses three stages or halls for cultural performances called ''Naimishaaranyam'', and a temple auditorium at the South-west corner. The auditorium is regularly used for weddings and meeting, and for conducting the Onam feast during the festival.

==Legend==
The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' describes that Vishnu descended as the [[Vamana]] avataram to restore the authority of [[Indra]] over the heavens, as it had been taken by [[Mahabali|Bali]], a benevolent [[Asura]] King. [[Mahabali|Bali]] was the grandson of Prahlada, the son of [[Virochana]]. King Bali was generous, and engaged in severe austerities and penance and won the praise of the world. With the praise from his courtiers and others, he regarded himself as the all powerful in the world.

Vamana, in the guise of a short [[Brahmin]] carrying a palm leaf [[umbrella]], went to the king to request three paces of land. [[Mahabali|Bali]] consented, against the warning of his guru, [[Sukracharya]]. Vamanan then revealed his identity and enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step, from earth to the netherworld with the second. King Bali, unable to fulfill his promise, offered his head for the third.

Vamana then placed his foot and gave the king immortality for his humility. Upon worshiping Mahabali and his ancestor Prahláda, he conceded sovereignty of Rasatala. Some texts also report that Vamana did not step into the Rasatala, and instead gave its rule to Bali and granting him the boon to become the next Indra. In giant form, Vamana is known as Trivikrama. The legend is associated with the temple and also with [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur]] and [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]].<ref>[[#Parmeshwaranand|Parmeshwaranand]], p. 1337</ref><ref>[[#Hoiberg|Hoiberg 2001]], p. 217</ref><ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Thiruvikrama swamy temple|url=http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=605|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=2014-01-01}}</ref>

As per another legend, a rich man who owned a plantain garden, did not get much yield from it. He donated a set of plantain to the temple, after which it started yielding as golden plantains. The groove came to be known as Nentiram Palam. The ruling king became suspicious of the change that it was his wealth in the garden and tortured a sage. The sage cursed the king. The king was afraid and in redemption, he consulted a group of sages. They suggested a thatch of bamboo and created a light with "Koraipul", a grass which helped him redeemed from the curse.<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=468–9}}</ref>

==Onam festival==

[[File:ThrikkakaraAarattu.jpg|thumb|right|Vamanamoorthy idol in the Aarattu procession at Thrikkakara temple]]
Thrikkakara temple is considered to be a centre of Onam celebrations, as [[Thrikkakara]] is considered to have been the abode of the King Mahabali.<ref name= Hindu2014/><ref name= Hindu2011b/> The celebration of the [[Onam]] festival is the main event in the temple. The festival is celebrated over a period of ten days in the Malayalam month of [[Malayalam calendar|Chingam]]. The temple houses the main deity [[Vamana|Lord Vamana]].<ref name= Hindu2005>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/16/stories/2005091618800300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303224844/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/16/stories/2005091618800300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2007-03-03 | location =Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=5,000 partake of onasadya at Thrikkakara | date=2005-09-16}}</ref><ref name=Hindu2010>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article591008.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Ritual lunch marks Onam at Thrikkakara | date=2010-08-24}}</ref> During the Onam celebration period, a pyramidal statue idolising Maveli and Vamanan is installed as a symbol of honour at all other sites of the celebration, and named ''Thrikkakara-appan''. The temple is the site at which the king [[Mahabali]] is said to have been sent to the netherworld [[Patala]] by Vamana with his foot, hence marking the genesis of the Onam festival. The etymology of the name Thrikkakara ('Thiru-kaal-kara' meaning 'place of the holy foot') is also derived this way. Some features of the Onam festival at Thrikkakara are

*'''Arts performances''': During the period of 10 days, the temple showcases performances in several cultural arts such as [[Chakyar koothu|Chakyar Koothu]], [[Ottamthullal]], [[Kathakali]] and [[Katha (storytelling format)|Patakam]] <ref name= Hindu2010/> as well as dance and musical performances such as [[Panchavadyam]] and [[Thayambaka]]. Each day also has its own ceremonial significance, and the temple authorities perform several ceremonial rites which involve the main deity and the other deities housed at the temple (namely Lord Ayyapa, Devi, Lord Krishna and Rakshassu). The Shiva temple located beside the main temple is also involved in these rites. In 2015, the Malayali actress [[Navya Nair]] presented a dance performance named 'Shivoham' at the temple.<ref name= Asianetyoutube>{{cite news| url=http://m.newshunt.com/india/malayalam-newspapers/asianet-news/youtube-asianet/navya-nairs-new-experiments-in-dance--shivoham-in-thrikkakara-temple_43453206/c-in-l-malayalam-n-asianene-ncat-youtubeasianet | location =Kochi, India | work=Asianet Youtube | title=Navya Nair's New Experiments In Dance : 'Shivoham' In Thrikkakara Temple | date=2005-09-16}}</ref>
*'''Flag-hoisting and lowering''': The temple festival begins on the first day (''Atham'') with the ''Kodiyettu'' (കൊടിയേറ്റ്) ceremony, which is a flag-hoisting ceremony common in festivals in temples in Kerala.<ref name=FestivalRites>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article77524.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Aranmula temple festival begins with Kodiyettu ceremony | date=2010-01-08}}</ref> The festival ends on the 10th and final day, which starts off with a symbolic welcome of the Asura king Mahabali.<ref name="Hindu2011" /> The closing of the festival is marked with the lowering of the flag and bathing of the idol, referred to as ''Aarattu'' (ആറാട്ട്).<ref name="FestivalRites" />
[[File:Thrikkakara Temple Seeveli DSC09379.JPG|thumb|right|Seeveli at Thrikkakara temple]]

*'''Atthachamayam procession and finale''': The festival is flagged off all over Kerala by a grand procession beginning at [[Thrippunithura]] near [[Kochi]] called ''Athachamayam'' (അത്തച്ചമയം). In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja would head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple.<ref>{{cite news|author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/athachamayam-festivities-held-at-tripunithura/article570765.ece |title='Athachamayam' Festivities held at Tripunithura |work=The Hindu |date=2010-08-14 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref><ref name= Hindu2016>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/and-onam-is-here-officially/article9070413.ece | location=Kochi, India | work=The Hindu | title=And Onam is here, officially| date=2016-09-14}}</ref>
*'''Onam feast''': A highlight of the festival is the grand banquet, or [[Sadya]], held on the last two days of the festival at the temple campus.<ref name="Hindu2011" /><ref name="Hindu2005" /><ref name="Hindu2010" /> The feast has grown significantly in magnitude each year, and is currently attended by more than twenty thousand people.<ref name=Hindu2013sadya>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/thrikkakara-temple-gears-up-for-onam/article5031220.ece | location =Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Thrikkakara temple gears up for Onam | date=2013-08-24}}</ref> People belonging to different faiths and religions turn out in large numbers for the sadya in keeping with the spirit of the festival.<ref name="Hindu2011" /><ref name="Hindu2005" /><ref name="Hindu2010" />
*'''Decoration of idol''': The ''Chaarthu'' (ചാർത്ത്) is a form of decoration of the Vamana idol using mainly sandalwood paste, ornaments and clothing. On each day, the idol is decorated in the form of one of the [[Dashavatara|Ten Avatars of Vishnu]], including the [[Matsya]] (fish), [[Kurma]] (Tortoise), [[Varaha]] (boar), [[Narasimha]] (half-man half-lion), [[Vamana]], [[Parashurama]], [[Rama]], [[Balarama]], [[Krishna]], [[Kalki]] and Trivikrama (another form of [[Vamana]]).
*'''Processions''': The ''Pakalpooram'' (പകൽപൂരം) is a grand procession held on the penultimate (9th) day of the celebrations. A similar procession, called ''Seeveli'' (ശീവേലി), is also held on the final day.<ref name= Hindu2011/> The procession involves leading the main deity Vamana on a ceremonial elephant around the temple campus, along with a group of about eight caparisoned elephants and accompanying [[Panchavadyam]]. The procession pauses at each of the gates of the temple (East, West, North and South), and proceeds to return the idol back to its inner sanctum. The procession is similar to the one held in festivities at the [[Guruvayur]] temple.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:thirukatkarai1.jpg| Kapila Theertham (Temple tank)
Image:thirukatkarai2.jpg| Temple Entrance
Image:thirukatkarai4.jpg| Temple Premises
Image:thirukatkarai5.jpg| Temple Premises
Image:thirukatkarai6.jpg| Temple Premises
Image:ThrikkakaraAarattu1.jpg| The Aarattu procession at the Onam festival celebrations
File:Thrikkakara Temple DSC09347.JPG|Thrikkakara Temple
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Onam]]
* [[Temples of Kerala]]
* [[Thrikkakara]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdIkaccgneAC&q=vamana&pg=PA1337|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|publisher=Sarup & Sons|year=2001|isbn=9788176252263|ref=Parmeshwaranand}}
* {{cite book|title=Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPP7O3nb3g0C&q=vamana&pg=PA217|last1=Hoiberg|first1=Dale |last2=Ramchandani|first2=Indu |publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2000|isbn=9780852297605|ref=Hoiberg}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Thrikkakkara Temple}}
*[http://www.vaikhari.org/thrikkakara.html Vaikhari.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061107141411/http://www.ekm.kerala.gov.in/places.htm Ekm.kerala.gov.in]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070303224844/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/16/stories/2005091618800300.htm The Hindu report on the Onam celebrations at the temple, 2005]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article591008.ece The Hindu report on the Onam celebrations at the temple, 2010]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2443999.ece The Hindu report on the Onam celebrations at the temple, 2011]
*[http://enchantingkerala.org/kerala-villages/thrikkakara/thrikkakara-temple.php Thrikkakara temple complex]

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

[[Category:Divya Desams| ]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kochi]]
[[Category:Vamana temples]]

Thrikkakara Temple - Revision history

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