It is a special “anubhuthi” (literally, experience) to visit the five temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna (Mahavishnu) each of which according to lore is believed to have been built and consecrated by one of the Pandava brothers each. Thus the Chengannur Mahavishnu Temple is installed by Yudhisthira (Dharmaputra), the eldest son of the King Pandu and Queen Kunthi. He was the king of Indraprastha and Hastinapura.
In the Kurukshetra war, all of the Kaurava clan was decimated. With the onset of the Kali Yuga and the departure of Sree Krishna, Yudhishthira and his brothers bestow their throne to Arjuna’s grandson Parikshit. During their pilgrimage throughout the Baratha Varsha (India) they reached the region that is now Kerala where each of the brothers built one temple each in five regions. Together the five temples are denoted by the name Pancha-Pandava-Divya-Desham or Anj-Ambalam (five temples).
After building the temples, the five brothers undertook penance for achieving forgiveness for their sins during the war. The temple at Chengannur is believed to be built by Yudhishthira, the one at Tiruppuliyur by Bhima, the one at Aranmula by Arjuna, the one at Tiruvanvandur by Nakula and the one at Tirukkodittaanam by Sahadeva.
Legend has it that Yudhishthira build the Mahavishnu temple at Chengannur to propitiate the blessings of the Lord and seek pardon for deceit during war when he uttered the half-truth 'Ashvatthama hatah kunjaraha' (“Ashwatthama (the elephant) was dead”), which makes Drona (Dronacharya) believe that his beloved son has been killed, throw down his arms and go into a state of meditation – and taking advantage of this defenseless state, he was killed.
The Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple is believed to have been installed by Bhima. There are legends connecting the Saphta-Rishis and a great famine that afflicted this region – in association with the temple. There was also a feudal warfare among local rulers and priests for rights to the temple. As a consequence, the temple is believed to have been left un-worshipped for over 200 long years following which it was re-consecrated and opened. A legend has it, Bhima is known to have a massive appetite and so, the special “sadhya” offering at the temple is also made from a huge 400 measure (of the traditional measure) of rice so that everyone can have their fill.
The Aranmula Parthasarathy temple is recorded as having been installed by Arjuna. This is to seek atonement for the sin of killing Karna, his own step-brother. The deity enshrined in the temple is that of Krishna who, in rage is about to unleash his weapon, the disc at Bhishma while Arjuna begs him not to break his vow. Bhishma had vowed to decimate Arjuna the next day, at the prodding of Duryodhana. The fighting that ensued was so severe that Krishna descends from the chariot and rises his weapon, ready to strike. But Krishna had promised not to take up weapons in the war.
The deity at the Tiruvanvandur Mahavishnu temple was installed by Nakula, who built this temple. Here he receives blessings of preaching the truth to humanity. All the rituals for worshipping the deity here was said to have been described and set down in the text by the Lord Vishnu himself.
The deity of the Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple was installed by Sahadeva, the youngest of the Pandavas. This ancient temple is considered to be one amongst the 108 Mahavishnu temples across India.
The best way to visit all the temples while enjoying a pleasant stay is to book your rooms at the Malakkarethu House near the Aranmula temple. The river Pampa runs just behind the spacious plot on which the resort stands. It is also the place to witness the thrill of the snake-boat race during the Onam season. Visitors can have a taste of the grand Valla-Sadhya at the temple, possess the unique Aranmula Kannadi (traditional and special ornate metal mirrors) and enjoy the splendor of Kerala’s art forms – the Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
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