Thaliparamba Thrichamaresan temple
By P.R.Ramachander
Thali Parambu loosely translated would mean, a ground of temples. One of these is the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna , called Thrichammaresan. He is also referred as Thrichambaresan. This temple is one of the most important Krishna temples of Kerala. Here Krishna is portrayed in his form immediately after killing the elephant Kuvalayapeetam and rearing to kill Kamsa. This temple is not very far from the Thaliparambu Junction which is about 20 km from Kannur.town. We have to cross a small stream (which is usually dry or having very little water) to reach this temple. It is believed that this temple was established by a sage called Sambaran, The temple maintains a Gosala where large now of cattle are fed and maintained. These cows and bullocks are normally seen around the temple. The temple faces the east. Slightly west to it there is a pond and a temple of Durga.in the middle of it. People believe that she is the sister of Lord Krishna who was born to Yasoda. Slightly south of the temple there is an ilanji tree with a raised platform around it. It seems in ancient days one gentleman with wounds all over his body was lying underneath the tree praying Trichambaresan. It seems the fruits of the tree fell on him causing grievous hurt. Then he prayed Lord to help him by preventing the fruit fall. It seems the falling of fruits immediately stopped and from then on this tree has not borne any fruit. The devotees buy a ring from the temple and deposit it under the tree with a belief that all their desires would be fulfilled.(Mothiram vechu Thozheel). There are lot of technically superior murals all round the temple , which is large considering the temple type of Kerala. The idol of the temple is about four feet high and has a merciful look instead of the expected ferocious angry look.
Another peculiarity of this temple is that elephants are not allowed to come anywhere near the temple , So the usual procession of God on the elephant is not there in this temple. People believe that since Lord Krishna had just killed Kuvalayapeeta the four tusked elephant sent by Kamsa , all elephants would be scared on seeing the lord. It seems once an Islamic merchant rode on an elephant in spite of warnings around the temple. As soon as the elephant came before the gate , it fell down dead.
The annual festival of the temple (Uthsavam ) is held in the month of Kumbham (February-march) on 22nd of that month (approximately march 6th) and continues for 14 days. Lord Balarama who has a temple nearby (Dharmakkulam) visits this temple and every day there is a ceremonial dance (two people carrying Thidambu of Gods Krishna and Balarama ) on the nights of important festival days (27, 28 th of Kumbam and 1,2, 6 of Meenam ) during the festival. Initially the priests go round the temple carrying the Thidambu on their heads and later there is a dance with Gods acting through them. On the last day they move outside the temple and do the dance in the public road in a place called “Pookothunada” to the accompaniment of several drums played by their greatest exponents.. Since the brother gods are going to part after this (Koodi piriyal ) and would be able to see only after a year , there is a frenzy of separation in this dance. This dance is extremely famous in the northern part of Kerala.
“Ayiram appam of Trichambaram Temple, a special kind of sweet offering made in thousands, is quite famous. This is the only temple in Kerala where women from Namboothiri families prepare the offering.”