Mayapiran Temple

Mayapiran Temple
Mayapiran Temple Location in Kerala
Coordinates:	9°19′20″N 76°36′57″E / 9.32222°N 76.61583°E / 9.32222; 76.61583Coordinates: 9°19′20″N 76°36′57″E / 9.32222°N 76.61583°E / 9.32222; 76.61583
Location
Country:	India
State:	Kerala
District:	Alapuzha
Location:	Thirupuliyur
Temple Details
Primary Deity:	Maayapiran (Vishnu)
Poets:	Nammalvar Tirumangai Alvar
Architecture and culture
Architectural styles:	Dravidian architecture

The Mayapiran Temple is one of the five Vishnu temples associated with the five Pandava brothers, the principal characters of the Mahabharata. It is believed that Bheema, one of the brothers, performed penance at this site. It is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu reverred by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.^[1]

History

Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera Empire (800 - 1102 AD).^[2]

Legend

During Mahabharata war, Bheema underwent penace worshipping the lord here. Bheema was the powerful among the five brothers and this temple is large indicating his largess. Also the Gatha, the weapon used by Bheema is believed to be present in the temple.

Notes

1. ^ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
2. ^ Temples of Kerala. S. Jayashanker, Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala (Census of India, Special Studies) (May 1997). Temples of Kerala, page 304-305. 

See also

• Temples of Kerala