Thiruvithikou Uyya vanda Perumal

Thiruvithukodu
BY
P.R.Ramachander
This is one of the Vaishnavite Divya desams located in Kerala. It is located about 2 km
from Patambi, which is a village with a railway station near Shoranur. You have to get
down in Pattambi, cross the Bhatatha Puzha River and walk about 2 km to reach this
temple. This temple also is called Thirivichikodu, Thiruvinchi Kodu and Anjumoorthi
temple.
As soon as you enter the temple you see Lord Shiva facing the east. Behind him is the
temple for Lord Vishnu. He is called as Uyyavanda Perumal (The lord who came to give
salvation). He is also called Abhaya pradhan (One who saves you) and also as Abath
sagayar. The goddess is called Vithuvakottu valli and also as Padma pani nachiyar.
This temple has been sung about by Kulasegara Azhvar, who was a Chera prince as
well as one of the Twelve Azhwars of Tamil Nadu.
People believe that originally this temple was built by king Ammbareesha, This king
used to observe Ekadasi fast religiously and take food after feeding a Brahmin the next
day. It seems once sage Durvasa came to his place on an Ekadasi day and accepted his
invitation to take food on Dwadasi. He went to take bath in the near by river but did not
come back till Dwadasi thithi was over. King Ambarresha took Paranai before Durvasa
came back at the proper time. Sage Durvasa got very angry and sent an ogre to kill him.
But Lord Vishnu came and saved Ambareesha by killing the ogre. Durvasa realized his
mistake and requested the king’s pardon. Ambareesha then requested the Lord to appear
him from all directions. The five statues of the Lord are supposed to have been
consecrated by the Pancha Pandavas. The centre one by Yudhishtra, the one in the west
by Arjuna, that in the left by Bhema sena, that in the right by Nakula. It seems Sahadeva
also joined in the worship of the statue in the right.
It is also believed that king Amabareesha attained salvation in this temple.