TRIVANDRUM - TRIPPAPUR AND TIRUVALLAM SIVA AMBALAMS

In the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Ambalam, the archamurthi springs a surprise by its huge reclining posture, occupying nearly fifteen feet in length, five feet in circumference, and as such, it has to be viewed from three doors - head from the first door, chest and body from the second, and the rest with broad feet from the third door. It is a unique icon with Brahma seated atop of a lotus rising from His navel. But shock overwhelmes you, if you learn that when the Lord appeared first to Bilvamangala swamiyar, He was incredibly huge, covering a distance 13 km with head at Tiruvallam, the present suburb of the city and feet at Trippapur, another suburban part lying to the North and South of this august Ambalam of Ananta Padmanabhaswamy located in the heart of Tiruvananthapuram.

The sage being petrified at its unusual length, prayed to reduce Himself into a convenient form to offering regular worship. Finding the appeal reasonable, the Lord shrunk to the present shape. The Swamiji then managed to build a modest sized temple with the aid extended by philanthropists. Later deeming those two places where His head and feet were found first, suitable temples were built. And there are installed Sivalingas also for public benefit and to conduct daily pujas. Since then devotees are visiting those places and praying with great fervour.

As the two are the integral parts of the great city of Tiruvananthapuram city, buses are available and are plying at regular intervals. So no problem confronts yatris and paryatakas to visit these two miss-not places of great spiritual importance. They avail the darsan of the Lord's head and feet, in addition to the darsan of Siva also.

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