108 Dhivya Desam - Thiruvanvandur

Location :  Thiruvamundur near Chengannur
Perumaal :  Kamalanathan
Thaayaar :  Kamalavalli
Theertham : Pampa
Paasuram :  NammAzhwar
Vimaanam : Vedhalaya Vimanam
Travel Base : Kottayam

Description: Thiruvamundur is one of the five ancient shrines in the Chengannur area of Kerala, connected with the Mahabharatam. (Chengannur - Yuddhishtra, Thiruppuliyur - Bheema, Aranmula - Arjuna, Thiruvamundur - Nakula and Thirukkadittaanam - Sahadeva). It has been glorified by the Tamil hymns of NammAzhwar of the 1st millennium CE. It is located 6 km North of Chengannur on the Ernakulam Trivandrum railroad.

 

The Temple: This temple has a circular vimanam - a namaskaramandapam and a gopuradwaram. Much of the present structure dates back to the 14th century CE.

 

The deity Kamalanathan is portrayed in a standing posture; the name Pambaniyappan which also refers to Kamalanathan arises from the fact the river Pampa cicrles the town (Pampa nadi appan). There is also a shrine to Gopalakrishnan here.

 

This temple dates back to the period of Kulasekhara Perumaal and was renovated by the Travancore kings (Moolam Thirunaal) in early 20th century. The image of Gopalakrishna was lost many years ago and was rediscovered in the 1960s and reconsecrated.

 

Legend has it that Nakula the Pandava prince built this temple. Narada is believed to have been blessed here with the duty of preaching the truth to humanity. Perumaal is said to have created a text describing the protocol to be adopted for worshipping him, at this shrine.