Thiruvanvandoor Sree Mahavishnu Temple, located in the Chengannur region of Kerala, is one of the five ancient shrines with ties to the Mahabharata legend. According to the myth, the Pandava princes embarked on a pilgrimage after crowning Parikshit as the king of Hastinapura. Upon reaching the banks of the River Pamba, each of them is said to have installed a sacred image of Lord Krishna. Yudhishthira is believed to have consecrated the Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple, Bhima the Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple, Arjuna the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Nakula the Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple, and Sahadeva the Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple. The temple derives its name, Paambanaiappan, from its proximity to
more the famous Pamba River. Another legend suggests that the sage Bhrigu consecrated this temple. It is considered one of the five temples constructed and worshipped by the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. Historical references to this temple can be traced back to poems and hymns composed by the revered Alvar saint Nammalvar around 800 CE. Stone inscriptions within the temple date its origin to the Second Chera Empire (800 - 1102 CE). The temple is open for worship from 4 am to 11:00 am and 5 pm to 8 pm and is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board, a government body in Kerala.
Please wait...