The temple is a significant pilgrimage centre for
Vasihnavites all over the country and is located at a distance of 2.5 km from
Thrivulla town of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.
The Sreevallabha temple is
one of the ancient temples in Kerala and also one of the top tourist
destinations of the state since centuries. This temple’s significance and
greatness has been described in the works of the great poets Nammalvar and
Mankai Alwar during the 6th and the 9th century A.D.
respectively.
The temple is one of the 108 renowned Vaishnava Temples
in India. The beauty, magnificence and the tranquility of this temple has been
described in the well known poem, “Unnunneeli Sandeesam”. Due to its sheer
magnificence and the grandeur of the temple, it has been visited with devotees
from all over India.
The temple is place amid the picturesque landscape on the
bank of Manimala River. People visiting the state seeking spiritual essence of
Kerala should certainly come to this temple. Women are not allowed inside the
sanctum of the temple except on the Vishu and Thiruvathira days.
Attractions
At the backdrop of the scenic surroundings of this temple
are several small shrines dedicated to 5 other deities along with a 6 foot tall
shrine of Maha Vishnu, who is also the chief deity of this temple. Other major highlights of the temple are the
artistic carvings in traditional Kerala style architecture and a 50 feet tall
flag post that has been carved out of a single rock with a huge Garuda placed
at the summit.
The temple is also renowned for holding daily Kathakali
performances during night and is perhaps the only temple in Kerala where the
Kathakali dance form is performed as a ritual offering to the deity after the
conclusion of the evening Pooja. These
mesmerizing performances can also be sponsored by the devotees. There are many
other attractions within the temple.
Festivals
There are two chief festivals celebrated in this temple,
namely Thiru Uthsavam and Uthra Sreebali. The Thiru Utsavam is celebrated for
ten days. The festival gives importance to aaraatu- the holy bath and is
celebrated in the month of February and March.
It has complicated customs and
procedures that initiates with Kodiyett, which means the raising of the
festival flag on the flagstaff. Uthra Sreebali is the biggest festival of this
temple and is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Meenam or March and April.
This festival is celebrated in honor of the three Goddesses who were asked to
protect Thiruvalla by Sreevallabhan. The festival is conducted when these
Goddesses come to Sreevallabha Temple to meet both the Lords. They are brought
from Aalumthuruthy, Padappattu and Karunaattu kaavu temples where the festivals
are initiated on the same day in the month of Meenam.
Best to Visit
The best time to visit the temple is during the months of
October to March.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is
in Cochin, located at a distance of 152 km from Pathanamthitta.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to this
temple is Thiruvalla railway station, located at a distance of about 25 km from
Pathanamthitta.
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