Thirukkatkarai

Thirukkatkarai is traditionally enumerated as number 93 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

This is yet another of the thirteen divya desas in Malai Nadu (Kerala). To reach it, one has to get down at Irunalakodi station on the Alwaye-Trichur rail line. It is about nine miles away from that station. The moolavar is known Katkarai Appan. He is seen ina standing pose, facing south. The Thayar is known as Perunselva nayaki as also Vatsalyavalli. The theertha is known as Kapila theertha. The vimanam is known as Pushkala vimanam. The Perumal is believed to have appeared in response to the prayers of Kapila maharishi.

As is common with the divya desas of Kerala, there is not much of sthala purana relating to this place. This place is mown as Mahabalikarai as also Vamana Kshetra. This place is also known as Katkarai 1.e. the holy place where the foot was placed by Lord. The very name thus signifies the connection of the place with the story of Mahabali. This place was once an important city, almost equal in importance to the capital of the kingdom of the Cheras.

To now turn to the sthala purana. Itis said that once Kapila maharishi was searching for a suitable place for doing his tapas. He reached Thirukkatkarai and was taken in by the scenic splendour of the place. Yet he noticed that there was no water resource anywhere near the place. He therefore dug a tank and grew lotuses and sengaalineer flower in the tank. These are the two types of flowers which are used for worshipping Lord Vishnu. The rishi settled down in the place and used these flowers for worshipping the Lord. In due course pleased with his prayers the Lord appeared before him. Kapila maharishi then requested the Perumal to stay in this place so that other devotees may also have similar darshan. This explains the presence of Perumal at this place. The temple is located in a spacious area of over eleven acres, Apart from the presiding deity, there are twenty-seven other shrines dedicated to different god and goddesses. Once upon a time each shrine had its own poojas and priests. Each had imposing gopurams (temple towers), Dwajasthambas made of gold. Besides a wide ampitheatre as well as an auditorium for present-