Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple
Kottakakom, Tripunithura, Dist. Ernakulam
Situated in Thrippunithura of Ernakulam district,
Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple is an ancient and
historically
renowned
Vishnu
temple.
Thrippunithura was the capital of the former
princely state of Kingdom of Cochin. The main
deity of the temple is Lord Mahavishnu seated
on Anantha (the serpent Adishesha). The deity
is worshipped by the name “Poornathrayeesan.”
The word “Poornam” signifies completeness,
while “Thrayeesan” means the lord of the Vedas.
Therefore, devotees worship the Lord as the
giver of wisdom, prosperity, and abundance.
The deity is also conceived as Santhanagopala
Moorthy, and devotees believe that offering
prayers here is especially beneficial for the well
being, prosperity, and growth of children, as well
as for removing childhood afflictions and
obstacles. Today, this great temple is under the
administration of the Cochin Devaswom Board.
The history of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple in Thrippunithura is immensely rich, blending
centuries of tradition with royal grandeur. 
Although the exact year of establishment is not
clearly recorded, the construction phases of the temple as seen today are believed to have
taken place during different periods between AD 952 and AD 1849. It is also believed that the
present idol of Lord Sree Poornathrayeesan was reinstalled in AD 1270. The temple is said to
have originally belonged to the old Kuriyoor Swaroopam. When that lineage declined, the
region and the temple came under the control of the Cochin Royal Family. Among the eight
royal temples of the Cochin royal family, this temple is considered the most important. During
the time when Thrippunithura served as the capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, this temple stood
as the spiritual centre of the royal family.
Lord Poornathrayeesan was worshipped as the
guardian deity of the kingdom. The King’s
important rituals, royal ceremonies, and grand
festivals were all centered around this temple. A
major fire that occurred in 1920 caused severe
damage to many parts of the temple, but
remarkably, the sanctum sanctorum and the main
deity remained unharmed.
The temple was later
reconstructed and regained its former glory.
Preserving more than a thousand years of
spiritual heritage, this temple still shines in the
heart of Thrippunithura as a rare meeting point of
devotion, history, and royal tradition.
The legend of Poornathrayeesa Temple is closely associated with the Mahabharata period
and Arjuna. It is believed that Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, reached this place during his
pilgrimage and worshipped Lord Mahavishnu here. While performing penance, Lord Vishnu
is said to have granted him divine vision. According to legend, in order to preserve the
sanctity of that divine experience, Arjuna himself installed the Vishnu idol here. Devotees
believe that this divine presence continues to bless them today in the form of
“Poornathrayeesan.” That is why this temple is regarded not merely as a place of worship,
but as a sacred land filled with divine grace, royal heritage, and spiritual radiance.
The temple is located in the heart of Thrippunithura town. From the road, the first sight is
the majestic entrance gateway and the tall gopuram built in traditional Kerala style. 
The vast
temple complex spread within the compound walls gives a royal appearance. Men are
allowed to enter the temple only after removing their upper garments such as shirts and
banians, though an upper cloth (melmundu) may be worn. Near the entrance, the temple
courtyard, the tall lamp pillar (Deepasthambham), and the golden flagstaff immediately
attract the attention of devotees. Around them stands the Nalambalam, built in traditional
style with beautiful wooden craftsmanship. Entering the Nalambalam, one can see the
Namaskara Mandapam. This hall, built with wood and stone, has a sloping roof. Strong
wooden pillars and stone carvings display mythological figures, floral patterns, and divine
decorations. Beyond the Namaskara Mandapam lies the main sanctum (Sreekovil), built in
the traditional Kerala architectural style. Its strong foundation and exquisite wooden
carvings enhance its beauty. The main deity, Lord Mahavishnu, appears here in a rare form.
Facing east, Lord Poornathrayeesan is seen in a divine posture beneath the hood of the
five-headed Anantha. The coils of Anantha are considered the Lord’s seat. 
The idol is made
of Panchaloha (five-metal alloy). The Lord holds the conch and discus in a divine form.
Unlike the reclining Ananthasayana form, this is a majestic standing vision directly blessing
the devotees.
Among the sub-deities, Lord Ganapathi holds an important place, with the shrine located near the
temple entrance. There are also shrines for Goddess Bhagavathy, Lord Sastha, serpent deities
(Naga Devathas), Hanuman, and in some sections, forms of Lord Krishna. All these are installed
around the main sanctum. The main festival of the temple is the famous Vrischikotsavam celebrated
during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. This grand festival lasts for eight to ten days.
Special poojas, Deeparadhana, and Seeveli
processions are conducted daily. Decorated
elephants, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, and
Nadaswaram add royal grandeur to the
celebrations. The most important ritual of the
festival is the “Arattu.” On the final day, the idol
of the Lord is taken in a grand ceremonial
procession for the sacred ritual bath. This
festival is considered a rare union of devotion,
royal tradition, and cultural magnificence. Other
important celebrations observed in the temple
include Sree Krishna Jayanthi, Vishu, Ashtami
Rohini, Navaratri, Thiruvonam, and Deepavali.
In addition, the famous Thrippunithura
Athachamayam is also closely associated with
the temple. The Athachamayam procession
marks the beginning of the Onam celebrations
during the Malayalam month of Chingam.
At Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, daily poojas and special rituals are conducted with great
discipline and according to traditional customs. The temple opens at 4:00 AM for Nirmalya
Darshanam, the sacred first viewing of the deity in the early morning. This is followed by
Abhishekam and morning offerings such as Malar Nivedyam. At 5:00 AM, Ganapathi Homam is
performed, followed by Usha Pooja at 6:30 AM. After this, Seeveli takes place at 7:00 AM. At
9:00 AM, special offerings and Archana are conducted for devotees. Ucha Pooja (midday
worship) is held at 10:00 AM, followed by Seeveli, and the temple closes at 11:00 AM. In the
evening, the temple reopens at 5:00 PM and the evening rituals begin. Deeparadhana is
performed at 6:30 PM, followed by Athazha Pooja at 7:00 PM and the final Seeveli. The temple
closes for the day at 8:00 PM.
During festival days and special occasions, there may be slight changes in the pooja timings.
Among the main offerings (Vazhipadu) at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, the most famous is
“Olpenna.” This is a special ritual unique to the temple, in which sesame oil is offered to the Lord
in a small container made from coconut palm leaf (Thengola). The oil offered by devotees is
used for lighting the temple lamps, and this offering is considered highly auspicious. Apart from
this, other important offerings include Paal Payasam, Koottu Payasam, Kalabham, Niramala,
Appam Nivedyam, Ada Nivedyam, Pushpanjali, and Thulabharam. These vazhipadus are
performed by devotees seeking blessings, prosperity, and divine grace.
