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When you have tried everything and the problem still won’t leave, where do you go?

For countless families in Keralam, the answer is a serene stretch of land in Peringottukara, about 20 kilometres southwest of Thrissur city. People walk into the Peringottukara Kanadikkavu Vishnumaya Temple carrying illness, family disputes, planetary afflictions, marital obstacles and enemy troubles. They come to Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy, and the heavy burdens they bring are lightened.

If you are planning to visit, or you want to know the story behind this Lord Vishnumaya temple in Thrissur, here is everything you should know.

Who is Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy?

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once travelled the earth disguised as pilgrims. In a forest ruled by the tribal king Marathan, Shiva was drawn to the king’s daughter, Koolivaka. Frightened, and wishing to protect her purity, Koolivaka prayed to Goddess Parvati. On the advice of Sage Narada, Parvati took Koolivaka’s form and met Shiva in her place. From the union of Shiva and Parvati, a divine boy was born, and he was entrusted to Koolivaka, who raised him as her own son.

He grew strong in the forest and tamed a wild buffalo that had threatened his foster mother. The buffalo became his mount. His trusted companion in those days was Karinkutti.

While still a boy, he rode to Mount Kailasa to meet his parents. Out of love for his father, he took the form of Lord Vishnu through his power of Maya. Shiva was delighted and told him he would be known as Vishnumaya from that day on. His mother, Parvati, gave him the two small sticks, the kuruvadi, that he would carry into battle.

The Kuttichathans who stand guard

Every devotee at Kanadikavu knows the story of the war with the demon king Bhringasura. Bhringasura had a boon from Brahma that no weapon could kill him, and he set out to seize the forest and Koolivaka.

In the fight, Vishnumaya was wounded on the little finger of his right hand. From the drops of his blood, four hundred Kuttichathans were born. Ten of them gave their lives by swallowing the demon’s divine weapons. The remaining 390 Kuttichathans stayed with the Lord, and they form an invisible, protective shield around his holy shrine to this day. In the end, Vishnumaya struck the demon on both sides of the chest with his mother’s two sticks, and Bhringasura fell.

This is why we speak of the fellow Chathans with such love. You do not pray to one name alone. You pray under the protection of the whole family.

Who else is worshipped here

Alongside the principal deity and the 390 Kuttichathans, the temple is home to Bhadrakali, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, Subramanya Swami, Kukshi Kalpam, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi and Brahmarakshas.

How Vishnumaya came to Peringottukara

Our story in Peringottukara begins with a warrior named Konnacharyan. Centuries ago, the kingdom of Chazhur, under the Cochin rulers, kept losing its battles. The king of Chirakkal sent his renowned commander and Kalaripayattu master, Konnacharyan, to help.

Konnacharyan prayed with intense penance to his family deity, the Goddess of Kannur Kalarivathukkal. She taught him the sacred mantras to call upon Lord Vishnumaya. The Lord appeared before him, and Konnacharyan begged him to come to earth and end the miseries of his people. With the Lord’s presence, the Chazhur army won its battles. Lord Vishnumaya then established his presence at Kanadikavu in Peringottukara, where he continued to grant darshan to his general.

The temple has stood for 600 years of steadfast faith. At the time of consecration, devotees recognised the Lord’s divine presence when a sacred eagle, the Krishnaparunth, circled the sky three times. Ancient copper plates and palm-leaf manuscripts praising Konnacharyan are still preserved at Kanadikavu.

The Thriprayar connection

There is a deep bond between our temple and the great Thriprayar temple. The Thampuran of Blahayil, who was in charge of the Thriprayar temple, saw a series of misfortunes haunt his family after the temple had stayed closed for nearly six years. A Devaprasnam, an astrological consultation, revealed that the Thriprayar deity was displeased, and Konnacharyan was brought to Kanadikavu to perform the remedies.

The Thampuran, wanting to test the Lord’s power, had secretly hidden a red-hot iron chain in the temple courtyard. In the final moments of the pooja, Konnacharyan announced that he knew about it. Then he fearlessly wore the glowing chain around his neck like an ornament. That day, the Thampuran’s doubts burned away.

The bond lives on in our festival. The Thiravellattu celebrations begin when a Kavadi procession leaves the shrine of the Lord of Thriprayar and arrives at Kuttichathan Kavu.

Ten generations of spiritual leadership

The spiritual legacy of Kanadikavu runs through ten generations, from the holy Konnacharyan to today’s Madathipathi and chief priest, Brahmasree Dr. K. K. Vishnubharatheeya Swami. For more than seventy years he has dedicated his life to the service of the Lord and the welfare of devotees. His predecessor, the former Madathipathi, was the first to see the yogic radiance in him as a little boy. He grew up through rigorous austerities and penance. He has been honoured with the ‘Acharyashreshta Award’ (2012) and an honorary doctorate.

Devotees find in him not only a guru but a great heart that receives them as family. He listens patiently to their pain and gives new hope through words that build confidence. His message is simple: “Worship God, Love Nature.”

Annadanam, the offering of food, is carried out here daily so that no one leaves hungry. We welcome every devotee regardless of caste, creed or colour.

Festivals worth planning your visit around

The Thiravellattu Mahotsavam celebrates Lord Vishnumaya’s birthday and is held in the Malayalam month of Makaram. It runs for three days, with the Roopakalam, the Thirayattam of the Thiramannans, and on the third day a procession with Nadaswaram, Pandimelam, Panchari melam and Panchavadyam, ending with fireworks.

The Roopakalam is held three times a year. Devotees believe that going to the Roopakalam, worshipping and making an offering resolves their troubles.

The Consecration Day Pattu Utsavam is held over three days in the month of Midhunam, beginning with the star Uthram. Tens of thousands of devotees come during these days. The Pattu Utsavam in the month of Thulam is a festival of sacred song, when Thottampattu and Kalampattu fill the air.

The Aanayoottu, the feeding of elephants, is held once a year. On July 20, 2025, we held an Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi Homam and Aanayoot with 17 elephants.

Poojas and offerings

Tuesdays are special at Kanadikavu, with poojas such as the Guruthi Kalasham and the Nivedhya Pooja. The Amavasi Shakthi Pooja is held on new moon days and the Pournami Shaktheya Pooja on full moon days. Offerings range from a ghee lamp, Archana and Pushpanjali to larger poojas, and you can book them online through our website or arrange them at the temple.

How to reach the temple

The temple is at P.O. Kizhakkummuri, Peringottukara, Thrissur, Kerala, PIN 680571, about 20 kilometres southwest of Thrissur city. Devotees can call the temple at 0487 2272277, 0487 2271444 or 08547472277, or use the toll-free number 1800 891 9369. Enquiries can also be sent to info@kanadikavu.com, and the temple is on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube as well.

Frequently asked questions: 

Where is the Vishnumaya temple in Peringottukara?

The Vishnumaya temple is the Kanadikavu Sree Vishnumaya Swami Temple at Kizhakkummuri, Peringottukara, in Thrissur district, Kerala (PIN 680571), about 20 kilometres southwest of Thrissur city.

Who is Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy?

He is the divine son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, raised by the forest maiden Koolivaka. Shiva named him Vishnumaya after he took Vishnu’s form through Maya. He is the guardian who wipes away the tears of his devotees, and he is worshipped alongside the 390 Kuttichathans.

What is the history of the Peringottukara Kanadikkavu Vishnumaya Temple?

The warrior Konnacharyan invoked Lord Vishnumaya through penance to help the kingdom of Chazhur. The Lord then established his presence at Kanadikavu in Peringottukara, and the temple has stood for 600 years.

What are the main festivals at Kanadikavu?

The Thiravellattu Mahotsavam in Makaram, the Roopakalam (held three times a year), the Consecration Day Pattu Utsavam in Midhunam, the Pattu Utsavam in Thulam, and the yearly Aanayoottu.

Can I book poojas at Kanadikavu online?

Yes. You can book poojas and offerings online on our website, or arrange them directly at the temple.

Come and see for yourself

Knowledge heard from others never lasts. Faith becomes complete when you come to the sacred shrine and feel the Lord’s presence in your own life, because experience is the ultimate truth. If you have been carrying a burden for too long, come to the Peringottukara Kanadikkavu Vishnumaya Temple, stand before Kanadikavu Shree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy, and leave your sorrows at his feet.