The Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple is located in the outskirts of Changanassery in the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is considered one of the 108 divya desam temples in the area, with the belief that it is one of five temples in Kerala built by the Panacha Pandavas. According to legend, Sahadeva, one of the Pandavas, had to perform tapas for a long time to find an idol for his temple. When he was about to give up, an idol of Maha Vishnu with four arms emerged from a fire pyre, and this became known as the Atbhuta Narayana or wonder idol.
The temple was built in the Kerala Temple Architecture style, featuring wooden pillars, doors, and roofs. The roof and some of the pillars contain intricate wood and stucco carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. During festive occasions, a series of lamps are lit around the sanctum on the outer walls. The walls of the temple have mural paintings dating back to the early 18th century, with some of them having been recently restored.
Located near the eastern entrance and a public platform for arts and discourses, there is a strange granite statue known as Kazhuvetti Kallu. The statue depicts a man lying flat on his back, supported only by a stone pillar about six feet high. He holds a shankhu in his left hand and wears the sacred thread, indicating that he belongs to the Brahmin castes. The statue once wore a crown as well.
This peculiar statue serves as a stern reminder that bribery, cheating, and dishonesty will not be tolerated. According to common folklore, the statue represents swift retribution for those who engage in jealousy and indiscretion. It serves as a warning that anyone who engages in such evils will face capital punishment, much like the man lying on the stone.
