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The Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple or the Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala marks the beginning of Onam, the national festival of Kerala. The temple is one of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Thrikkakara translates as 'Land of the Holy Foot'.
The Legend of Onam
During the reign of the legendary King Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era where all the subjects were happy and there was no space for corruption or injustice. Jealous of the King's popularity among his subjects, Lord Vamana decides to send Mahabali to another world Patala (the heaven-like underworld). On the King's request, Vamana allowed Mahabali to visit his land once in a year to meet his subjects. This day is celebrated as Onam.
The Significance of Thrikkakara Temple
Thrikkakara Temple stands at the land where Lord Vamana drowns King Mahabali beneath the soil. Onam is the major festival celebrated at the temple. It is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. The first day (Atham) and the 10th day (Thiruvonam) are considered the most important. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to visit land on the day of Atham and reaches his homeland on Uthradam, the eve of the grand celebrations.
The Thrikkakara temple has two separate sreekovils dedicating to Lord Vamana and Lord Shiva respectively. The other dieties worshipped here include Sastha, Sree Bhagavathi, Gopalakrishna, Rakshass, Yakshi and Nagam. The ancient inscriptions in the temple also have a mention of Onam celebrations on them. It was in this temple that Onam started being celebrated, spreading it across the state and beyond.
The famous temple of Thrikkakara is located at a distance of around 10km to the east of Kochi city. The best time to visit this temple is during the months of August-September when the temple is in a festive mood.
Onam Celebrations among Keralites
Keralites in and outside Kerala celebrate the returning of the much loved King by gifting new clothes, cleaning and decorating their homes, designing the entrance of the homes with Pookkalam (a flower carpet), singing and dancing to the tunes of songs praising the King; all to make the King happy at seeing his glorious land still in its prosperous state. Women engage in a traditional dance form known as Thiruvathirakkali, also known as Kaikottikkali, and a festive mood is prevalent among Keralites irrespective of their caste and creed.
