This famous temple is located in Thanneermukkom, Alappuzha district. The consecrations here are unique. Vishnu and Maheswara are consecrated as Vadakkanappan and Thekkanappan with equal importance. The consecrations are linked to the legend of Jayadradha's killing in the Mahabharata. Abhimanyu, the young son of Arjuna, had been tricked into death after he had entered the Chakravyuham. On hearing this, Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadradha, who had assassinated Abhimanyu, before sunset the next day. If he could not do it, he would immolate himself. So, the Kauravas kept Jayadradha in the centre with all the warriors offering him protection. As the day advanced, Krishna realised
more that it would not be easy to get near Jayadradha. So, he masked the sun using his disc. Thinking that the sun had set, the Kaurava forces left Jayadradha and gathered to see Arjuna killing himself. Just at that time, Krishna removed the disc, the sun came out, and Arjuna killed Jayadradha. It is the Krishna who was wearing the sacred thread and had masked the sun to help Arjuna kill Jayadradha, that is consecrated here as Mahavishnu, addressed as Vadakkanappan. Self-originated Lord Mahaeswara is consecrated as Thekkanappan. The Chathushatham offering, made to control the power of Vadakkanappan, is unique to this temple.
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