Sunday, January 13, 2013

Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Temple Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Temple is the only Lord Parasurama Swami Temple in Kerala, situated around 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram city. Lord Parashurama is the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu. This centuries old granite temple is famous for the ‘Balitharpanam’ or ‘Vavu Bali’ – a Hindu religious ritual of offering homage to the departed souls of forefathers. It is believed that Guru Adi Sankaracharya made the ‘Bali’ for his mother at the temple. Believed to be built during the 12th and 13th century by a legendary Chera King Athiyaman Perumal, Sri Parasuramaswamy Temple is a protected monument by the Archaeology Department of Kerala.
Significance of Temple

One of the unique features of Sree Parasurama Temple is that the temple has separate shrines for the Trimurtis of Hindu religion – Mahavishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. Another speciality is that the temple is located at the Triveni Sangama (merging of 3 rivers) of Karamana River, Killi River, and Parvathiputhanar River – and hence considered a holy spot to perform bali ritual.


Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala


Temple Festivals and Rituals

Thiruvonam Arattu and Parasurama Jayanti are the two important festivals celebrated at Sree Parasuramaswamy Temple.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali at Parasuramaswamy Temple

Karkidaka Vavu Bali or Vavubali Tharpanam is one of the most important ritual conducted at the temple. Karkidaka Vavu is the new moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom (July - August). During the Karkidaka Vavu day people of Kerala perform Vavu Bali on the guidance of a priest or an elderly person. Some of the important accompaniments needed for performing Bali Tharpanam include Darbha (a type of long grass), cooked rice, sesame (Ellu), pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), water and banana leaves.

Devotees offering Karkidaka Vavu Bali at Parasuramaswamy Temple in Trivandrum Kerala

How to reach Sree Parasurama Temple

Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple in Thiruvallam is on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam Bypass road around 6 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city in Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station and Trivandrum Bus Station is the nearest bus station. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is just 10 km away from the temple.

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