Ulagalanda Perumal Koil - Tirukoilur, near Tiruvannamalai

Ulagalanda Perumal Koil  (Lord  who measured the universe) is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is situated 35 Kms from Tiruvannamalai; is one among the 108 divyadesams of Vishnu.

The temple is very ancient and the idol of the Moolavar known as Trivikrama is huge and made of Tharu wood.( deodhar). The idol is brightly painted decked up well with right leg  lifted up as if measuring the sky.

Inside sanctum we also find idols of King Mahabali  sitting near the Holy feet and there are other idols of Brahma, Mahalakshmi and Vamana. There is also a huge idol of Garuda , Lord Vishnu's mount outside the sanctum facing the main deity. A 40 feet Garuda pillar facing the temple  is also a speciality of this temple. Thayar, Lord's consort  has a separate shrine.

There are shrines around the temple for Lord Narasimha , Andal and Lakshmi Hayagrivar.
There is Lord Venugopala swamy shrine in the first prakaram and the idol here is made of saligrama. Many offer prayers here  before proceeding to worship the main deity.This is one of the Pancha Krishna temples and Utsavar here is Gopalaswamy, a beautiful idol with a whip in hand and cows around.
There is also a swayambhu Durga near to Lord's shrine and she is worshipped here during Rahukalam.

Details and legend related to temple can be found here 

Vamana MoorthyTemple -Trikkakara, Kochi & Onam festival

Vamana Moorthy is the fifth Avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu and this temple in Trikkakara , Kochi is one among the very few temples of Lord Vishnu where He is worshipped as Vamana. An ancient temple , situated in a salubrious environment and is closely associated with the harvest festival of Kerala , the Onam. The temple of Vamana Moorthy celebrates a 10 day festival starting with the Atham star and it concludes on Tiruvonam day. People gather in large numbers here during the festival .The Onam festivities for this year has begun and Tiruvonam is on 23 rd August 2010.

There is also a Siva temple inside the temple complex and there are subshrines in both these temples of other Gods and Goddesses. Lord Vamana Moorthy temple is the 13th among the 108 Divya desams of Vishnu.

The Bali peetam here is very huge and the sanctum houses the resplendent image of Lord Vamana Moorthy. The sanctum is circular in shape and there are shrines inside for Ganesha and Krishna.

The temple also has a special place to worship the Nagas ( the serpent Gods)

A Little legend:
King Mahabali was a benevolent, asura king and every one was happy under his rule so much so that even Gods became jealous of him. They felt that he would become a threat to them and requested Lord Vishnu to help them. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a young Brahmachari - Vamana and approached Mahabali when he was performing a ritual. Knowing very well that Mahabali Bali would not refuse any alms, Vamana requested him 3 paces of land. Mahabali obliged though his guru Sukrahrya warned him that it was Vishnu who had disguised himself as the Brahmachari. But Bali went ahead as he wanted to honour his word.

. Then the Lord, assumed a gigantic form and with one pace measured the earth , then with second He measured the heaven , then the Lord asked the king where he could measure the 3rd pace. Mahabali, true to his word allowed the Lord to put His foot on his head and God pushed him to the nether world. But before leaving, God granted him a boon to visit his subjects every year and people celebrate Onam as the king's homecoming. Lord Vamana is also worshipped in every homes during this period. People welcome Mahabali with religious fervour by decorating their houses and the entrance of the house with floral carpets.

Family get together, preparation of grand feast on Tiruvonam day, eating together, singing and dancing of traditional songs and snake boat races are great attractions of this festival.
To know more about Onam read my other blog by clicking the link. Onam

How to reach: Kochi is well connected by air , rail and road.

Nedumbassery is the nearest international airport situated at a distance of 25 Kms from Trikkakara.

Nearest railway station is at Ernakulam . From the station the temple is only at a distance of 7-8 Kms.

Plenty of private buses ply from Ernakulam ( Kochi) to Trikkakara .

Accommodation- Budget, luxury and deluxe hotels are available in Ernakulam /Kochi as it is officially called now.

Other places of worship- in and around Kochi

Kochi Tirumala Devaswom temple

Vittobha temple

St. Francis church

Santa Cruz Basilica

Poorna thrayeesa temple ( Tripunithura)

Mattancherry Synagogue

Siva temple ( Ernakulathappan)

Kunan Kurisu Palli ( Mattancherry)