Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sree Vallabha Kshetram- Tiruvalla

Sree Vallabha Kshetram in Tiruvalla, Kerala is a temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu  and is one among the 108 divyadesams , a temple which has captivated my interest very much, in recent times.  Sree meaning Mahalakshmi and Vallabha means Her husband, hence the deity here known as Sree Vallabha. The temple is constructed in typical Kerala architecture .  Set in picturesque surroundings, the temple has exquisite carvings and murals.  The flag mast here is 50 feet tall,  carved out of a single rock with Garuda's image atop and  is believed to have been created by the legendary craftsman Perumthachan.  This temple has something additional than the flag mast,a Garudathara , which is unique and appeared magnificent. This also has a Garuda's image atop.There are sub shrines around the temple for Ayyapa , Karuppaya swamy etc.

Interesting facts-
The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
Also known among divyadesam as Tiruvalavazh- Vishnu, Kolapira Perumal,
Moolasthanam is outside the West gopuram.
Kathakali is performed here almost  everyday in the evenings.

 How to reach-This temple is situated in Pathanamthitta District. There is a rail station in Tiruvalla and this temple is 2 1/2 Kms. from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum/ Kochi . the former being a little closer to Tiruvalla.


Accommodation- recommend either stay in Trivandrum or Kochi as  one gets  plenty of choices.


Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMcTw1h__aaDVaz2k8TQ4O1gRQ_BYlsOEHLy0bx







35 comments:

Insignia said...

The temple is indeed very beautiful. Thiruvalla is known to be lush and green and the surrounding says so. Thanks Chitra. I just noticed your other 2 blogs and I am hopping there right away

AswathiBabu said...

Chitra
Its very near to my hometown Changanassery. In the temple there is a sub deity known as kurayappa swamy. A belief exists that offering kannan kula to this deity will remove the illness of cough.

kiran sawhney said...

I like your description of flag mast- 50 ft tall, single rock with Garuda on top. I can see it in pictures.

chitra said...

Bindu, Thanks. This is the best temple I have seen in recent times.

chitra said...

Aswathy, I had visited Chengannasery to see a temple.I have mentioned abt. Karuppayaswamy in the blog. Did you miss it?But that kannan pazham offering is news to me. Thanks for that.

chitra said...

Kiran, Thanks. Happy you loved my description.

KParthasarathi said...

Beautiful temple and majestic dwajasthamba.The details supplemented by Aswathi Babu make it an interesting place.I had visited Changanaserry but never had the good fortune to vist this temple that is closeby.One needs God's grace even to visit the temple,I believe

chitra said...

Thanks KP, I was sure you would love it.hence sent the messg.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Wow that flag post is so impressive and especially when you find out it was carved from a single piece of stone.

Glad to be back visiting you, apologies for my absence, I'm so excited to read of your latest venture, your jewellery is beautiful.

Teamgsquare said...

Lovely temple and wonderful description .

FranE said...

Beautiful temple, so timeless. A question why do they paint him blue? Is there a symbol?
Thanks for being a friend and stopping by my blog. I always look forward to your visits.

sm said...

The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
interesting facts
nice pics

aipi said...

I always love reading your post..it is so well written n full of information..your gorgeous pics are an added bonus..
Beautiful Temple!

Happy V day to you n your loved ones :)

US Masala

chitra said...

PW, I fully understand , no need for any apologies, at times it happens, I am also a bit irregular these days. Some work keeps popping up, keeps me away from the p.c I am happy to see that you like my new hobby too. Thanks a lot.

chitra said...

Team G Square
Thanks a lot.

chitra said...

Hummer, Lord Vishnu is always considered as Shyam varna or Neela megha Varnan meaning black ,dark or sky blue coloured that is how He is depicted in our mythology. You are always in my list of virtual friends :) so always peep in to see your posts.

chitra said...

Sm, thanks.

chitra said...

Aipi,
Thanks you so much and belated V.day wishes.

Bhagya said...

Very serene, enjoyed this visit

chitra said...

Bhagya, Thanks.

Sushma Mallya said...

Nice and calm place...

Bikram said...

FINALLY yayyyyyyyyy this place I have been too but when i was very young (I hope i am right now and this is the same ) , 8th class i was in when we went on a school trip

and the pics again beautiful... :) thanks for sharing
Bikram's

anupama said...

Dear Chitra,
Good Evening!
It's a beautiful temple and the premises are so good.The temple tank is amazing!
The aanakkottil and elephant are so attractive.
Wishing you a lovely evening,
Sasneham,
Anu

chitra said...

Sushma, thanks
Bikram - So you have visited Kerala Good Yaar.... Happy it helped to refresh your memory.

Anupama, Thanks a lot dear.

Archana said...

Chitra,
This is indeed a very important temple. I wish you had posted some Kathakali videos as well!

I like the silver lamp showing Lakshmi being bathed by elephants. The large elephant outside looks alive!

Amrit said...

Wow. As usual a wonderful blog post. The architecture appears different from other temples too. Very nice pictures.

chitra said...

Archana, thanks . Let me see if I can add a video.The elephant- It is the temple elephant. Most of temples in Kerala own elephants as they are used for daily rituals.

chitra said...

A, thank you so much.........

Archana said...

So,the elephant IS alive! I should have guessed.

Martina said...

Fascinating place, thanks for showing us! God, there's so much to see in India, it never ends. Hope i van travel there one day! Happy weekend Chutra!

Sridharan said...

Beautiful photo rendition of a lovely temple..

chitra said...

Martina, thank you so much.

chitra said...

Sridharan, thanks

rn said...

Hi Chitra, thanks for posting such beautiful photos. I have visisted the temple only once. There is a story shared by my mother regarding the temple. The idol is decorated only once a year in temple as the story goes that the lord used to be decorated everyday in chandan and used to look so handsome that a lady desired her husband to be as handsome as the god. The minute the lady had such thoughts, the idol turned black. So to this day, the idol is smeared with chandan only once a year

chitra said...

rn
thanks for sharing the story associated with the temple. these kind of information we hardly get to know when we visit the temple for a few minutes.
The visit is still fresh in mind and the Garudathara is awesome..