Thiruvegappura Shiva–Sankaranarayana–Mahavishnu Temple is a revered and historic temple located on the banks of the Thuthapuzha River, a tributary of the Bharathapuzha, in Thiruvegappura near Pattambi in the Palakkad district of Kerala.
Positioned close to the border between Palakkad and Malappuram districts, the temple is approximately five kilometers from Valanchery.
Similar to the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, this temple houses major deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Sankaranarayana. However, what makes it distinct is the presence of three separate sanctum sanctorums (Sreekovils)—with one shared shrine for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati—and three separate flag masts (Kodimarams), each corresponding to the deities. The temple faces east, located on the eastern bank of the Thuthapuzha River.
Within the temple complex are traditional structures like a Koothambalam (theater hall for temple arts) and Oottupura (dining hall). The sub-deities worshipped here include Lord Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Tripurantaka, Vettakkorumakan, Ayyappan, and serpent gods (Nagas).
Important festivals observed at the temple include the eight-day annual festival ending on Thiruvathira in the month of Kumbham (February–March), Maha Shivaratri (also in Kumbham), Vaikathashtami in Vrischikam (November–December), and Bhagavathi Pattu in Medam (April–May). The temple is managed by the Malabar Devaswom Board.
Although the temple is commonly referred to by the names of Lord Sankaranarayana and Lord Shiva, it is believed that the original and earliest consecration was that of Lord Mahavishnu, enshrined in the northern sanctum. Legend holds that the Vishnu idol here dates back to the Krita Yuga and was installed by the great sage Kapila Maharshi.
Thiruvegappura temple's main deities are Lord Mahadeva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Sankaranarayana, and Lord Mahavishnu, while the sub-deities include Lord Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Lord Ayyappa, Tripurantaka, Vettakkorumakan, and various serpent deities. The temple's principal annual festival begins with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Uthrittathi star day in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March) and lasts for eight days, concluding with the Aarattu (ritual bath of the deities) in the Thuthapuzha River. Other significant observances include Maha Shivaratri and the Ashtami day in the month of Vrischikam (November–December). The temple also hosts a major devotional celebration called the Bhagavathi Pattu, dedicated to Kodikkunnu Bhagavathi, which begins on the third Sunday (Muppattu Njayar) of the Malayalam month of Medam (April–May) and continues for twelve days.
തിരുവേഗപ്പുറ ശങ്കരനാരായണ ക്ഷേത്രം
