MOOSARI UTSAVAM SREE POORNATHRAYEESA TEMPLE,

Panchayath/ Municipality/ Thrippunithura Municpality Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Thrippunithura – 1 km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus station Thrippunithura Private Bus Stand – 1 km

Nearest Railway Ernakulam South Railway Station -7.6 km station ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport – 32.3 Km

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple Kottakkakam Road, Thrippunithura - 682301 Phone: +91-484-2776655 CONTACT Email: [email protected] DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME August-September Annual 8 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) Poornathrayeesa is a combination of words, Poorna (means complete), Thraya (means three), and Eesa (means God), which means the God of the Three Vedas – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda And Sama Veda. Some believe that Poornathrayeesa is the combined manifestation of holy Trinities – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. The origin of the temple is associated with the episode of Santhanagopalam of Bhagavatha epic. The antiquity of the temple can be traced back to Dwapara Yuga. According to legend, the temple was established by Arjuna, the third Panda Prince and Lord Maha Vishnu was worshipped by him as Santhanagopalamurthy – the protector of kids. There was a temple here in which Lord Ganapathy was consecrated and Arjuna removed the idol and installed the idol of Lord Maha Vishnu. Lord Ganapathy was also consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum itself. Historical record says that the installation of idol (perhaps re-installation) was done in 947 A.D. In those days, the temple belonged to Kureekad Swaroopam (local ruler). Later it was taken over by Cochin Royal family. Poornathrayeesa is the tutelary deity of Cochin Royal family. Narayaneeyam Bhasha Chambu, Mahatmyam, and Uma Keralam – three important literary works in – have mentioned about the temple. The present idol of Lord Vishnu was recast in 1270 A.D. The structures of the temple were built at different periods starting rom 952 A.D. to 1849 A.D. A massive fire accident was occurred in the year 1920 A.D. and caused heavy damages to the temple structures except the sanctum sanctorum and idol. The destroyed structures were re-build and the renovation work completed in 1932. The Cochin Royal family held control over the temple till it was handed over to the Cochin Devaswom Board. Every Malayalam year begins here with an eight day long festival which is dedicated to the sculptor who had moulded the divine image of SREE Poornathrayeesan. During that divine creation it is believed that the gifted sculptor merged himself with the Supreme being, while giving life to that beautiful idol. So the eyes of the image were left unveiled. This festival is popularly known as Moosari Utsavam which comes in every year during the months Aug-Sept.

Local Approximately 1000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Moosari Uthsavam On the first 8 days of the Malayalam month of Chingam there is Atha Chamayam festival commemorating the great one who sculpted the idol of Poornathrayeesa (Moosari is the metal smith in Malayalam) This is an annual festival celebrated during the festival in the month of Chingam. Large number of devotees gather here, Apart from the processions there is also Pulikkali(Tiger dance).