Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy temple

The Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swami temple is a 35-year-old Vishnumaya temple located 20 km southwest of Thrissur in Peringottukara, Kerala, India.^[1][2][3]

Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Thrissur
Deity	Vishnumaya
Festivals	Thiravellattu Mahotsavam, Thottampattu festival
Location
Location	Peringottukara
State	Kerala
Country	India
Location in Kerala
Geographic coordinates	10°25′20″N 76°7′55″E
Architecture
Type	Fusion of Kerala Architecture, Aryan Architecture and Tamil Architecture
Website
www.kanadikavu.com

The main deity of the temple is Vishnumaya, a Kuttichathan, although 320 other Kuttichathans are also worshipped here.^[4] Brahmashree Vishnubharatheeya serves as the temple's chief priest.^[5][6] The temple is associated with the Ezhava community, who traditionally worship Vishnumaya.

Deities

The main deity of the temple is the Kuttichathan, Vishnumaya. Among other Kuttichathan deities worshipped in the temple are Bhadrakali, Bhuvaneshvari, Kukshikalpam, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, and Brahmarakshasa.^[7]

History

Before the temple was established, it is said that a devotee traveled to the Himalayas to perform penance under the guidance of sages. It is believed that Vishnumaya appeared to the devotee. Following this divine act, the devotee returned to Peringottukara with the deity. Upon reaching Peringottukara, he consecrated and installed Vishnumaya Chathan Swamy at the site where the Kanadi family now resides.^[8][6][9]

Roopakkalam

The ritual of Roopakalam is traditionally performed during the annual Thiruvellattu festival, which occurs in the Malayalam month of Makaram at Vishnumaya temples in Kerala.^[10] Roopakalam is a form of ritual offering to Vishnumaya, where colorful figures of the deity, and sometimes his companion Karimkutty, are created on the ground using multicolored herbal and organic powders. Once the Roopakalam is drawn, a priest, often a family member, performs a puja. This is followed by a sacred ritual dance around the kalam, accompanied by traditional music. After the dance, the priest erases the kalam using coconut palm leaves. After the ritual, the powder is distributed amongst the devotees.^[11]

Main offerings to the deity

Devotees make several offerings to the deity as part of religious practices. Some of the primary offerings include Roopakalam, Chuttuvilakku, Niramala, Brahmavellattu Karmam, Veethu, Guruthi, Divasapooja, and Pushpanjali.^[12] These rituals are performed to seek blessings and express devotion to the deity.

Festivals

Thiravellattu Mahotsavam

Thiravellattu Mahotsavam is a festival associated with the oracle of Vishnumaya, observed in the Malayalam month of Makaram. Additionally, in the month of Midhunam, a three-day festival begins on the day of the Uthram star to commemorate the Consecration Day.^[13]

Thottampattu festival

Thottampattu Mahotsavam is a festival where worshipers celebrate Bhuvaneswary, who is presented in the form of the mother to Lord Vishnu, Maya. Bhuvaneswary is the family deity of the Kanady family, who was responsible for the arrival of Vishnumaya to Peringotukara village. On the day of Thottampattu, Devi is brought out from the Sreekovil, where an idol of Devi is created as Kalam, followed by the chanting of various hymns.^{[citation needed]}