About Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple
The Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple, known in Tamil devotional literature as Thiruvithuvakkodu, stands on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river at Thirumittakode, a few kilometres from Pattambi in Palakkad district. Anchumoorthi means five deities, and the temple has shrines of Shiva, Vishnu, the goddess, Ganapati and Ayyappan. For Vaishnavas it is one of the 108 Divya Desams, where Vishnu is worshipped as Uyyavandha Perumal, also called Abhayapradhan, with his consort Vithuvakkottuvalli. For Shaivas it is one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala.
Tradition says that the Pandavas came to the banks of the Bharathapuzha during their exile and installed the image of Vishnu here, and that Arjuna performed penance at this spot. The Shiva temple is traditionally said to have been consecrated by Parashurama. Another story tells how Lakshmi and the elephant Gajendra both worshipped Vishnu with lotuses from the same pond. The Alvar saint Kulasekhara praised the deity in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Vaishnava canon composed between the 7th and 9th centuries, and the temple holds a Chola-period inscription of Rajendra I. Like Varanasi, the riverbank here is used for last rites and ancestral offerings.
The temple is built in the classic Kerala style, with no tall gopuram but an arch from the main road. A wall encloses the shrines, and inside are the flagstaff, the outer cloister, the Namaskara Mandapa with its pyramidal roof, and the sanctum on a raised platform with a granite base, laterite walls and a sloping tiled roof. As in other Kerala temples, only the priests enter the sanctum.
Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Nirmalyam and morning puja | Early morning (approx.) |
| Ucha puja | Late morning (approx.) |
| Deeparadhana | At sunset |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple
By air
Calicut International Airport is about 60 km away; Cochin International Airport is about 90 km away.
By train
Pattambi station is about 4 km away; Shoranur Junction is about 18 km away.
By road
Buses and autos run from Pattambi town, which is on the Palakkad–Guruvayur and Shoranur–Perinthalmanna routes.
Festivals at Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple
- Vaikuntha EkadashiDec/Jan
- Annual festival (Medam)Apr/May
- ThiruvonamAug/Sep
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Kerala temple dress rules apply: men wear a mundu without a shirt inside the temple; women wear a saree, churidar or long skirt.
- Entry
- Free.
- Follow the Kerala temple dress code; mundus are often available in Pattambi shops.
- The temple closes in the late morning, so plan to arrive early.
- Spend a few minutes on the banks of the Bharathapuzha beside the temple.
- Photography inside the temple is generally not allowed.
Places to visit near Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple
- PattambiRiverside town on the Bharathapuzha, about 4 km away
- Kerala Kalamandalam, CheruthuruthyFamous school of Kathakali and classical arts, about 20 km away
- Guruvayur TempleOne of Kerala's most revered Krishna temples, about 45 km away
Frequently asked questions
Is Thirumittakode a Divya Desam?
Yes, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams, praised by Kulasekhara Alvar.
Why is it called Anchumoorthi?
Anchumoorthi means five deities; the temple has shrines of Shiva, Vishnu, the goddess, Ganapati and Ayyappan.
Where is Thirumittakode temple?
It is on the Bharathapuzha about 4 km from Pattambi in Palakkad district, Kerala.
What is the dress code?
Men should wear a mundu without a shirt, and women a saree, churidar or long skirt.
What is the aarti time at Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple?
Nirmalyam and morning puja: Early morning (approx.); Ucha puja: Late morning (approx.); Deeparadhana: At sunset. Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
What are the Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple timings?
Usually open from about 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
How to reach Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple?
By air: Calicut International Airport is about 60 km away; Cochin International Airport is about 90 km away. By train: Pattambi station is about 4 km away; Shoranur Junction is about 18 km away. By road: Buses and autos run from Pattambi town, which is on the Palakkad–Guruvayur and Shoranur–Perinthalmanna routes.
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