Pundareekapuram Temple
Among the temples in Thalayolaparambu Pundareekapuram temple is famous for its wall paintings. The murti in the temple is ugra bhavam of Sri Krishna – very rare as Sri Krishna is usually worshipped in peaceful form. Garuda here also has an ugra bhavam. The murti is one of its kinds – Sri Krishna sits on the shoulder of Garuda and Sathyabhama sits on the lap of Krishna. Thus the sanctum has Sri Krishna, Garuda and Sathyabhama together. One has to climb nearly 50 steps to reach the shrine which is atop a mount in Mittayi Kunnu.
The walls of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are covered with exquisite paintings which depict episodes from the Hindu myths and Puranas. The murals in this temple are some of the best in Kerala. There are pictures of Siva and Parvathi sitting beneath the Kalpavriksha; a picture of Durga vanquishing the buffalo-headed demon Mahisha, the pranks of Krishna the divine boy of Ambadi; a picture of a Yakshi the dangerous seductress of legends; Rama Pattabhishekham or the coronation of Sri Rama; Siva Thandava and a picture of Lord Ayyappa astride a horse to point out a few of the striking paintings at Pundareekapuram.
Legend has it that an elder person of Venimangulam Illam once went to Muvattupuzha river to take bath. He saw a strange sight of tulsi leaves going up and down in a part of the river. He decided to venture into the area. He went deep into the river in the spot and found the murti that is worshipped in the temple.
He took the murti to his Illam. He was amazed and wonderstruck by the powerful Vigraham. Venimangulam Namboothiri decided that he should build a temple to consecrate the murti. But that night he had a dream in which Sri Krishna told him that he would like to go anywhere else. Thus Venimangulam Illam was converted into a temple.
As Sree Krishna is in ugra bhavam (Ferocious State) – dhara or pouring of holy water on the Vigraham is performed. It must be noted that Dhara is only usually performed in Shiva temples. Water is also offered because the murti was found in river.
The Temple is currently maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.
Location
Thalayolaparambu
Main Deity
Lord Sree Krishna
Other Deities
Lord Ganesha & Nagas
Festivals
Deepavali, Sreekrishna Jayanti.
Main Offerings
Settu Mundu, Malarpara Naivedyam, Dhara
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is 56 KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Piravom Road Railway Station is 5.2 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Piravom KSRTC Bus Stand is 15.8 KM from the Temple.