What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple?

Early medieval · Hindu · India

Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple

തൃക്കാക്കര ക്ഷേത്രം

Thrikkakara, Kerala · 10.0349°, 76.3294°

Vamanamoorthy (Vamana)Undetermined—Divya Desam

Sacred since

600 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

ancient; Onam inscription of 861 CE

Undetermined

History & significance

A rare major temple dedicated to Vamana and a Kerala Divya Desam, regarded as the home of the Onam festival - its inscriptions carry the earliest known mention of Onam, dated 861 CE.

Sthala katha — the legend

Here Vamana is said to have humbled King Mahabali with three cosmic strides, granting the devoted king an annual return to his people - the homecoming celebrated as Onam.

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