Robctr at 03:32, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T03:32:22Z

New page

{{Short description|Hindu temple in Thrissur district, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date = October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox Mandir
|name = Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple
|image = Avanangattilkalari temple.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Avanangattilkalari Temple<br>Avanangattilakalari Vishnumaya Temple
|map_type = India Kerala
|map_caption = Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya Temple, [[Peringottukara]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kerala]]
|coordinates = {{coord|10.436885|N|76.129635|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|country = {{flag|India}}
|state = [[Kerala]]
|district = [[Thrissur District|Thrissur]]
|location = [[Peringottukara]]
|elevation_m = 31.92
|deity = Vishnumaya (വിഷ്ണുമായ)
|festivals = Vellattumaholsavam
|architecture = [[Architecture of Kerala]]
|temple_quantity = 1
|monument_quantity = 2
|inscriptions =
|year_completed = more than 500 years ago
|website = [http://www.avanangattilkalari.com/ www.avanangattilkalari.com]
|map_size =
}}

'''Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple''' (alternatively '''Avanangatt Chathan Temple''') is a [[Hindu temple]] at [[Peringottukara]], [[Thrissur District]], [[Kerala state]], [[India]]. It is dedicated to the [[Kuttichathan|god Vishnumaya]] in Kerala. The god is known also by the name Chathan.

Avanangattilkalari vishnumaya temple is the head temple of all vishnumaya temples in Kerala, especially [[Malabar region|Malabar]]. The temple avanangattilkalari is known as sree vishnumaya's "moolasthanam". The idol of the temple represents the god in his fierce ('ugra') form, facing East, featuring two hands with various attributes. One is holding Kuruvadi (Magical wand), another hand magical pot (amrutha kumbam) and riding on water buffalo. The temple deity is well known for his magical powers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/vishnumaya/avanangattil_kalari.htm|title=AVANANGATTIL KALARI|date=2 September 2019|website=kerala temples|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mymandir.com/t/avanangattilkalarilordsreevishnumayatemple.424848|title=Avanangattil Kalari Lord Sree Vishnumaya Temple|website=mymandir|access-date=2019-08-21|date=2019-08-19|last=Hindu temple|first=avanangattilakalri}}</ref>

The temple gained the name Avanangattilkalari from the surrounding [[Ricinus]] plants which is called "avanaku" in [[Malayalam]] language. The area was covered chiefly with ricinus trees and it appeared as a ricinus forest. In Malayalam, "kadu" means forest and hence the name Avananku-kadu. This name then changed to avanangattil kalari. Kalari refers to a location in which the Kerala traditional martial art called "kalaripayattu" is taught.
The temple is often accredited as the original form of Vishnumaya and his 389 brothers. When the god was born with his 399 other brothers, 10 brothers sacrificed their life in war between Shiva boothas (god Shiva's army) and demon nameed Briga [[Rakshasa|Rakshas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.templeadvisor.com/temples-in-india/hindu-temples/sree-vishnumaya-temple|title=Sree Vishnumaya Temple of Maha Vishnu in the form of Vishnu|date=2 September 2019|website=Temple in india|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref> Ten brothers consumed brahmastra in the time of combat and helped Shiva boothas to kill Rakshas Briga.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Conversations on the Beach: Fishermen's Knowledge, Metaphor and Environmental Change in South India|last=chathan are born in tribe women koolivaka|first=vishumaya chatthan is non Sanskrit deity|publisher=google books Berghahn Books|year=2007|isbn=9781845450151|location=india|pages=114, 126}}</ref>

The temple is in the center of Kerala and is called "vishnumaya chathan temple" by Tamil speakers. The name of chathan came from the word sastha. The Temple was built in a remote past and its worship incorporates ancient Shakthyem customs which are rarely observed in contemporary Kerala temples.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lore & legends of Kerala : selections from Kottarathil Sankunni's Aithihyamala|author=Koṭṭārattil Śaṅkuṇṇi |author2=T.C. Narayan|others=Translated from Malayalam by T.C. Narayan; illustrated by C.N. Karunakaran & Namboodiri.|year=1987|isbn=9780195698893}} volume 5 chapter seven.</ref>

== History ==
[[File:AVANANGATTILKALARI SREE VISHNUMAYA SWAMI.jpg|thumb|'''God Sree vishnumaya''']]
The people of Kerala believe that this temple was, in the olden days, a small shrine and it was Kellunni Panicker who installed the murthi of Vishnumaya close to one of his [[kalari]]. The [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujas]] are conducted, it is said, under direct instructions from the god himself. Near to temple there is a mango tree and small rock shire is there called "Valliyachan kottil" believed to be the main source of the powers of this deity. The priests are [[panicker]]s and [[Thiyyar history|Thiyyar families]] who have a right to perform '[[Pushpanjali]]s' to the God.

Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya temple is allowed all other religious members to attend temple. His temple is very much related to [[Sabarimala|Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple]], sastha and chathan is commonly mixed each times. Other than Sabarimala, temple allows all religious women also. The temple reconstructed in the time of [[Sakthan Thampuran]] who provided financial support also. Sakthan Thampuran provide one donation champers inside [[Thriprayar Temple]] still there in red color. As the old believe in the time of [[Arattupuzha Pooram|Arattupuzha Pooram festival]], Deity travel to Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishumaya temple and meet Sree Vishnumaya, it is called "Pooram Purapad".

Currently Avanangattilkalari temple is administered by temple trust and not taking any aid from [[Thriprayar Temple|Thriprayar temple]]. The temple was constructed by Kellunni Panicker. The first Shaktheya Pooja in Avanangattilkalari temple was performed by Panicker families still follows.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Pahalamāna Siṃha Svāra Kshatri|last=Pahalamāna Siṃha Svāra Kshatri|publisher=Sajha Prakasana|year=1977|location=he University of California|pages=44}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sree Vishnumaya is considered to be as powerful deity People offer praying to the temple with great devotion and respect. The temple has the beautiful architecture which is eye-catching. Deeparadhana Darsana at the temple is very famous. The temple is decorated with divine lamps which look exquisite and amazing. The festival of Thiravellatu is celebrated for a week every year at the temple with great joy and devotion. Large numbers of devotees gather at the temple to celebrate the festival. |first=Avanangattil Kalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple, Thrissur |date=2019-10-02 |title=Avanangattil Kalari Lord Sree Vishnumaya Temple is the first Vishnumaya Temple in India |url=https://www.trawel.co.in/city/thrissur/avanangattil-kalari-sree-vishnumaya-temple-thrissur |access-date=2019-10-02 |website=trawel}}</ref>

In ancient times, animal sacrifices were offered at the temple, mostly in the forms of birds, by devotees seeking protection and the fulfillment of their prayers. At present, only red-dyed [[silk]]s are offered to the deity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ml.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%B4%90%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B9%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AF%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B2/%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%99%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%99%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%82_%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%82|title=ഐതിഹ്യമാല/അവണങ്ങാട്ട് പണിക്കരും ചാത്തന്മാരും - വിക്കിഗ്രന്ഥശാല|website=ml.wikisource.org|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref>

== Temple structure ==
[[File:Avanangattilkalari vishnumaya temple.jpg|thumb|'''East Entrance''']]
The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by paddy field. The "manimandapam" or "sreekovil" is facing east. East side of the small bhagavathi shire, two Sarpakavu. West side temple pond, which serve purpose of well (bath not allowed). East and west "padipura"(entrance). North side "ananadhana mandapam" serve devotes every day.

== Ritual ==
During this ritual, oracle person called Vellichapad, ([[oracle]]s of the god), addressed as the god and said to be [[Spirit possession|possessed]] by him, sit in-front of the temple in a frenzied [[Trance|trance state]] called niyogam. Niyogam will perform every day. Special pooja only perform Full moon or new moon day only. All karma follows saktheya manner.

== Festivals ==

=== Vellattu maholsavam ===

The "vellattumaholsam" festival at the Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya temple, is a month of festivities from the month of [[Kumbham]], it is ten day festival. It normally falls between the months of February and March. The festival usually starts with a ritual called 'Ezhunallathu', which forms an important feature of this temple. The members of the "Thira manar" are allowed to participate in this ritual. It is to appease the god Vishnumaya and her demons who take delight in the offerings.

=== Kalampattu ===

The [[kalampattu]] festival will perform four day before "karkidakam" and "vrichikam" Malayalam months (February or march month).

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.avanangattilkalari.com/ Official Website of Vishnumaya Temple]

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Thrissur district]]

Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya Temple - Revision history

Robctr at 03:32, 21 January 2026