Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla

Sthala Purāṇam

The Sreevallabha Temple at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, is one of the 108 Divya Desams, where Vishnu is worshipped as Sreevallabhan, also called Kolapiran. The presiding murti, about seven feet tall and mounted high so that worshippers must bend to see it, stands bearing a lotus and chakra in the right hands and a conch in the upper left, the lower left resting on the waist, symbolising Viratpurusha without beginning or end. The sthala puranam centres on the demon Thokalasura, who terrorised the village. A young brahmachari appeared at the home of the devout widow Sreedevi Antharjanam of Sankaramangalath Illam, sought food, then slew Thokalasura by transforming his golden staff into the Sudarshana Chakra, before revealing himself as Vishnu and granting her salvation. Other legends describe sage Durvasa's penance at Mallikavanam, the Shiva-devotee Khandakarnan casting his bells into the Jalavanthy tank, and the idol's journey from Dwaraka through Satyaki and Garuda before King Cheraman Perumal installed it. Uniquely, both Sreevallabhan (facing east) and an eight-armed Sudarshana Chakra (facing west) are enshrined under one roof. The temple is identified with the vallabha kshetram of the Garuda and Matsya Puranas. Nammalvar sang of it, praising the Lord as Kolapiran, Thiruvazhmarvan and Sundarayan. The temple is renowned for Kathakali performed daily as a perpetual offering, after Vilwamangalam Swamiyar recognised the Lord enjoying the art; it stages Kathakali on more days annually than anywhere in India. A tall monolithic granite Garuda flagstaff and orthodox Pancharatra worship are distinctive features.

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