Sree Lakshmi Varahamoorthy Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Moolavar : Sree Lakshmi Varaha Thayar : Sree Maha Lakshmi Some of the salient features of this temple are…. The temple faces west, with a temple tank with neerazhi mandapa (second largest temple tank of Kerala). A stucco image of Garudan is on the middle of the street facing the temple. Bell tower, dwajasthambam, and balipeedam are before the Nallambam entrance. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In sanctum sanctorum Moolavar Varahar is in sitting posture and Maha Lakshmi is sitting of the left lap. In praharam Vinayagar, Krishna, Nagars, Yakshi, Rakshass, Saptamatrikas, and Ashtadikpalakas. ARCHITECTURE The temple consists of balipeeda mandapam, Nalambalam, Namaskara mandapa, and Sreekovil. The Sreekovil construction is followed both Dravida and Kerala architecture. The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, muppattai kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam kudam and plakai. The Kerala style conical slopping roof forms a vesara vimana. The vimana is of single tier. The sanctum sanctorum and sub-sannidhis like Utsavar, Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, etc, are installed in side this Sreekovil. A 4 pillar Namskara mandapa with raised platform is in front of the Sreekovil. The Nalambalam with gateways on four sides is constructed enclosing the Sreekovil. The nalambalam serves as hall for office rooms, Brahmins feeding rooms, kitchen (a room for preparing naivedyam), making of garlands, distribution of prasad, etc. HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS It is believed that the original temple was constructed along with Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabaswamy Temple. This temple was also damaged during Muslims invasions. Latter received contributions from Venadu, Travancore kings. LEGENDS As per the legend, after getting a boon from Brahma, Hiranyaksha abducted the mother earth and concealed under the cosmic ocean. Devas sought help of Maha Vishnu to retrieve back the mother earth. Maha Vishnu took the Varaha avatar and fought and slayed Hiranyaksha. Varaha retrieved back the Mother earth. Varaha is often depicted carrying Bhumi Devi on his tusks in the form of Globe, Bhumi Devi hanging from the tusks, keeping her on his lap, etc. Here Bhumi Devi / Lakshmi is shown in his left lap. In another legend, demons abducted the 4 vedas from brahma and concealed deep in the earth. To the request of Brahma, Maha Vishnu took the Varaha avatar and retrieved back the 4 vedas. In Saivam, as per the Lingothbava form of Shiva, Maha Vishnu, to prove his greatness than Brahma, took the Varaha avatar, excavates the earth to find out the feet of Shiva. But both Maha Vishnu and Brahma couldn’t find the start and...

Sree Varahamoorthy {one of the ten avatharams - dashavatharam- of Lord Maha Vishnu} together with spouse Lakshmi is the main deity in this temple. There is a small nada for Ganapathy also in the inner praharam. In the nearby room of the garbhagraham, there is a small brass idol of Hanuman, to whom 'deeparadhana' is done along with the main deity. The outer praharam has sannithies for unni Ganapathy, Sivan/Sastha and Bhagavathy. One peculiarity of this temple is that there are Naagar nadas at 4 places along the outer praharam. The temple is unique as there is no other Lakshmi Varahamoorthy temple at Thiruvananthapuram. Devotees from neighbouring districts and even from Tamil Nadu (Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli etc) come here to pray. The 'deeparadhana' at 07.20 a.m on all days, especially on Thursdays and Saturdays, is important. The Sreevaraham pond attached to the west of the temple is very big & deep and the water level does not come down in summer. During Onam festival, boat races are held here as part of entertainment. The main entrance to the temple is at north, with adequate parking facility. There is a big entrance at the east also; but this entrance is usually used by the dwellers nearby. The Chembai Hall with Ramar temple is located some 10 metres ahead from the north gate. A Hanuman temple at the east is located at a distance of 50 metres. There is a Ganapathy temple on the other side of the pond.The temple is located in a lonely atmosphere in the heart of the City just 1 km away from the golden temple viz Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple at East Fort,...

Main deity - Lord Varahamoorthy and Lekshmi Devi Other deities - Lord Ganesha, Lord ayyappa, Lord Krishna, Naaga devan and Naaga Yakshi Special days - Wednesdays and Thursdays. On these days there will be large crowd People who have financial difficulties and those who are constructing houses but facing troubles are asked to visit this temple on these days by offering White/rose lotus and Jungle Geranium garland ( thetti haaram) For education, family wellness there are special archana workships like Bhaagyasooktham All the rates are displayed on the board in front of the receipt counter You can also offer Unniyappam, paalpayasam and you will receive these prasadams only after 8.15am or 8.30am( changes according to the pooja time) Make sure to take some vessel with you for collecting payasam otherwise they will give in plastic covers which is unhealthy. Parking facility ground is not there but street parking is free You have two/three flower shops and pooja shops Inside the temple also there is one shop but all items might not be available Sree Varahamoorthy Ashtotharam board is also placed in the compound From the east nada of the temple one can see Kunnandam Ganapathi temple. There is a large pond also. Rainy season be careful because the floor...