Sree Vallabha Temple - Thiruvalla

Thiruvalla Sree Vallabha Temple, 2000 year old temple has the legend saying that Chera king Cheraman Perumal had a dream in which lord Vishnu appeared and pointed to a location and asked him to dig it up. The king found a Vishnu statue there and consecrated it here in the name of Sree Vallabha. The corridor is 104 feet long on one side. The shrine (nalambalam) is made of granite and there is a vilakkumadam outside the shrine. The temple is circular in shape with copper covered roof in a cone shape. This temple was once a place for Vedic schools. There were more than 1000 students and 100 teachers here and was known as ‘Thiruvalla Sala’. This temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu is one among the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavism.

The temple is located on the banks of the river Manimala. The stone wooden carvings and beautiful mural paintings catch the attention of each visitor to the temple. There is an 8 feet idol in the sanctum sanctorum of this Vishnu shrine. It is believed that the Garuda Stambha of the temple was constructed by Perumthachan, a legendary architect. This 54 feet flag mast is built using a single block of granite. The tradition here has been that as part of daily sevas to the lord, Kathakali dance is played daily on the temple premises. It is also perhaps the only temple in Kerala where Kathakali dance is performed as a ritual offering to the lord every night, a tradition that has existed for several centuries. This inspiring temple is a good example of grandeur and beauty of Kerala style of temple architecture that adds zest to the sanctity and divinity of this place.