Tiruvithuvahhodu - Vuyavanda Perumal Ambalam

Uniqueness galore racing, as it were, greet the visitors on visiting this Divya Desam, lying close to the famous Bharatapuzha river. This goes by some other names such as Tirumitrakodu and Tiruviduvakodu too. It is here the Pandava brothers installed four Mahavishnu's icons, but puja is offered to the one set up by Arjun only. Having enjoyed liberal patronage of the devout bhaktas, this K.chetra's circular Sri Koil is covered with copper plates. There are four sannidhis in the same prakara. The most striking peculiarity that greets the visitors is the absence of agamic worship. In addition, the visitors are given neither the most indispensable thirtha prasada, nor blessed with the Satari ritual. Instead, everyone is given Srigandha and tulasi leaves soon after the harati. The Lord Vuyavanda Perumal gives darsan in the recumbent posture on the Adisesha. And it is exceedingly grand, as the icon is a superb specimen of great craftsnianship. Ambarisha mahamuni worshipped this Lord devoutly and was blessed according to his wishes. The priests also are following the bizarre tradition of taking bath in the nearby river and attending to rituals with wet dhoti. The temple has a big tank called Chakra thirtha and the Vimana called That-vakanchana. The Goddess is worshipped in the name of Vithuvakottuvalli Natchiar. Despite observing such strange traditions, this kshetra has been luring a steady stream of devotees over centuries. Among Alwars, Kulasekhar visited and offered Mangalasasanam, extolling the glory of this Lord.

It lies about a kilometre and half off Pattambhi railway station in Kerala, accessible by walk or rickshaw.

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