Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple

History

Kerala Tourism profiles Poornathrayeesa as a principal Ernakulam district Vaishnava shrine adjacent to the Hill Palace heritage zone.

The temple is administered under Cochin Devaswom Board alongside other Kochi royal temples.

Stories

The Royal Temple of Cochin

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple at Tripunithura, the former capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, served as the kingdom's national deity shrine. It was the foremost of the eight royal temples of the Cochin rulers and is administered by the Cochin Devaswom Board.

The original wooden sanctum was damaged in a fire in 1920 and was replaced by the present structure. Kerala Tourism notes a two-storeyed gopuram with a pavilion on eight carved wooden pillars and gold-covered entrances.

Vrischikotsavam and the Elephants

The temple's largest festival is the eight-day Vrischikotsavam, held in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, around November to December. It opens the temple-festival season in Kerala and features melam percussion, Kathakali and music concerts.

The fourth day, Thrikketta Purappadu, is known for the deity shown with gold ornaments atop an elephant. The festival is famous for its many elephants, with about fifteen usually in a single day's procession.

Santhanagopala Murthy

Here Vishnu is worshipped as Santhanagopala Murthy, also called Poornathrayeesa. It is believed that childless couples who pray to him are blessed with children. This belief draws families to the temple throughout the year, in addition to the crowds of the annual festival.

Good to know

Cochin royal family deity — Kerala Tourism listed

Tripunithura temple town near Ernakulam

Major Vishnu Utsavam and Arattu processions

Getting there

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (COK). Tripunithura railway station and Ernakulam city road access.