Triprayar, Thrissur Kerala

Image Credits : Vsathian, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Triprayar, also spelt Thriprayar, is a temple town approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Thrissur, Kerala state, India.

It is the home of a temple dedicated to Lord Rama. According to legend, idols of Lord Vishnu resembling Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna were washed ashore and were consecrated at Triprayar, Tirumoozhikkalam, Koodalmanikyam and Payammel respectively by a local chieftain Vakkel Kaimal who used to be the Naduvazhi. Descendants of Vakkel Kovilakam moved to the south and settled in Niranam (Thudangiyil) and Thalavady (Cherussery Madhom) as worshippers of Thrikapaleswar (Lord Shiva) for the attainment of the lotus feet of Lord Krshna. Thachudaya kaimal, who was entusted as the caretaker, used to reside at Irinjalakuda. Worshipping all the four deities in a single day is considered especially auspicious.

The idol is that of a four-armed Vishnu (Chaturbhuja Vishnu) and Rama is depicted as the victor over the demon Kara. The deity is said to contain aspects of Brhama and Shiva too, making it into a Trimurthi. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in its outer courtyard.

The main festivals of the temple are the Pooram (held in the Malayalam month of Meenam) and Ekadasi (which falls in November–December). One of the popular sacrifices (vazhipadu) at the temple is meen-oottu (fish-feeding) which involves feeding grains of rice to the fish at the river that forms one boundary of the temple.

Town:: The temple is well connected by an efficient network of roads. As the temple is placed conveniently, reaching it with the help of public transport is the easiest way. Private transport too is easily available and is convenient as well.
Airport:: The nearest Airport to the temple is Kochi Airport. Taxies run to the airport can be hired from near the temple. One can conveniently catch a fight to any of the major cities of India, after reaching the airport.
Railway Station:: Thrissur railway station is the nearest railhead. From here, you can catch a train to any of the major cities in India. The network of Indian Railways is reliable and secure.
District:: Thrissur
Longitude:: 10.414298
Latitude:: 76.115608