Information of Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

This hindu temple of Mithrananthapuram Trimurti is located in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. This temple is only one of its kinds in the entire state where the three main hindu gods of creation, preservation and destruction can be worshipped. This temple is built on the western side of another highly revered temple of the state i.e. the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple.

Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple Religious Significance

This temple is highly visited by people of the hindu faith mainly because here all three on the most importance can be worshipped at once. The temple is home to Brahma, Vishu and Shiva which can be found in no other temple in all of Kerala. Also in addition one can even pay their respects to Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Nagraja the king of serpents. The temple recognises almost all of the south Indian festivals but the Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated here. During this festival devotees from all over gather to pay their respects and take part in this epic celebration year after year. One of the main features of this temple is the sacrifice that is done every year during the festival of Mahashivratri to please Fire who is said to look after the welfare of the people. The site is also visited for it is believed that Lord Brahma was consecrated here in order to get rid of a Yakshi or demon who used to trouble the people of this area.

In the temple dedicated to Brahma, women folk were not allowed to enter however at present times some exceptions are made with restrictions. A temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is not common in India and therefore this further elevates the religious significance of this temple.

Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple Mythology & History

As with most temples of the hindu culture this temple to has its own legends and importance. It is said that the idols of the gods present here were consecrated by Villwamgalanath Swamiyar. These three idols are known as Trimurthi and legend has it that they conducted a huge yagna/fire ritual to please the Sun god, Mithra. As a result of this yagna this temple was named as Mithrananthapuram meaning "the town that pleases the Sun".

Another legend has it that Lord Brahma was consecrated here so as to defeat a demon who had been troubling the people of this town. As a result of a temple dedicated to Brahma which is very rare in India was built here.

Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple Architectural Significance

This temple is within a close proximity to the Padmanabhaswamy temple, in fact this temple was a part of it intially. There are three temples within this temple and is accessed via a pathway that leads to all of them.

The first temple is that of Lord Vishnu and it has a statue of Garuda, a mythological bird belonging to Vishnu outside the temple. The idol of Vishnu is in the standing position and is depicted having four hands. Each hand carries a sanctified item according to Hindu Mythology which are conch, wheel, mace and a lotus flower. This idol is the main one and has been carved out of granite. There is another small idol apart from the main one which is made out of metal and it is believed that this idol was worshipped by the sage Vilwamangalam Swamiyar.

Next to this temple, a temple of Shiva is located which also houses a shrine for Lord Ganesha, his son. The temple dedicated to Brahma is also next to the Vishnu temple. The idol dedicated to Brahma has only one head and it is carved out of stone. There is also a tank inside the temple complex and is known as the Mithrananthapuram tank where the priests of the temple take their morning baths.