Sthala Puranam – Thiru Kadithanam – Kerala Divya Desam Series

Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Thiru Kadithanam, one among the 108 Divya Desams, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami

Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Thiru Vanvandur, one among the 108 Divya Desams, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami

Located 4kms east of the Chenganancheri Railway Station (Kottayam-Kayankulam rail route) is the Arputha Narayanan Divya Desam in Thiru Kadithanam. This is one of the three important Kadigai Kshetrams in India, the other two being Thiru Kadigai in Sholingur and Thiru Kandam(Kadinagar) in Devapriya(North). Legend has it that those who visit the Arputha Narayana Perumal Koil in Changanachery and stay here for at least one Kadigai (24minutes) will be liberated from all sins/curses.

NammAzhvaar’s praise of Arputha Narayanan of ThiruKadithaanam in his verse 3735:

“அற்புதன் நாராயணன் அறி வாமணன்
நிற்பது மேவி இருப்பது என் நெஞ்சகம்
நில் புகழ் வேதியர் நான் மறை நின்று அதிர
கற்பகச் சோலைத் திரு கடித்தானமே”

Pandava Brother created the temple

This is one of the five temples amongst the Kerala Divya Desams in this region that dates to the Mahabaratha time. Sahadeva, one of the Pandava brothers, is said to have consecrated this temple.

Nammazhvaar praises the Thiru Kadithanam Lord as under in his verse 3730 in Naalayira Divya Prabhandham:

“கோயில் கொண்டான் திருகடிதானத்தை
கோயில் கொண்டான் அதனோடு என் நெஞ்சகம்
கோயில் கொள் தெய்வமெல்லாம் தோழா வைகுந்தம்
கோயில் கொண்ட குடக்கூத்த அம்மானே”

King Rukmangatha, who belonged to the Surya Dynasty is said to have passed on the fruits of his Ekadesi penance to the Devas and sent them back to their abode (Deva Logam). There are separate Sannidhis for Narasimha (on the Western side behind the Arputha Narayana Sannidhi). There was a festival of dance here at this temple. The belief was that ladies dancing with buckets on top of their head and undertaking prayers to Lord Arputha Narayanan would help them conceive.

PeriAzhvaar has made a reference to the above ‘dancing’ in one of his famous verses:

“குடங்கள் எடுதேற விட்டுக் கூத்தாட
வல்லவேன் கோவே மடங்கொள் மதி
முகத்தாரை மால் செய்ய வல்ல வெண் மைந்தா”

Other Festivals

Karthigai Deepam, 10day festival in Virchigam, Narasimha Jayanthi

Deity : Arputha Narayanan East Facing Standing Posture
Goddess : Karpagavalli
Azhvaar : NamAzhvaar- 11 (3502-12)

Temple Time : 5am-11am and 5pm-8pm

Priest : Vasudevan Namboodari

Tel No. : 94972 22107 or 0481 2435711

How to reach Chenganacheri

This Divya Desam is located about 4kms East of Chenganacheri in Thiru Kadithanam
Many express trains on the Kochi-Kottayam-Trinvandrum stop at Changanacheri.
(Chennai-Trivandrum Express arrives here at 445am and Chennai Trivandrum mail arrives at 8am)

An auto from the Chenganacheri Railway Station to the Divya Desam will cost Rs.100/-

Chenganancheri is about 2 hour drive from Ernakulam. Buses every 5 minutes on the Kottayam- Chenganacheri route.

Best to have food/lodging at Kochi

One can start the Divya Desam trip here with Thiru Kadithanam and end with Chengannur. The other option is to start with Chengannur and end with Chenganachery