Photo 1 / 4Temple roofs across the courtyard. Photo: Dvellakat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple
About the Temple
Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple is in Puliyoor, about 4 km from Chengannur railway station. Tradition holds that Bhima, the second Pandava, worshipped its image of Vishnu as Mayapiran and helped build the shrine. It is one of the Kerala Divya Desams, with a conical sanctum, carved mandapam ceiling and 18 steps at the front.
Why visit
- Make the second stop of the Pancha Pandava round, the temple of Bhima.
- See the wood carvings on the mandapam ceiling of a Kerala Divya Desam.
Temple Timings
Opening hours are not confirmed yet.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Darshan hours are not confirmed. Published hours disagree, so call the temple or ask locally before you plan the round. Hours may change during the ten-day festival in Makaram (January to February).
Before You Go
- Time to allow
30 minutes to 1 hour inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Not confirmed. No dress rule from the temple or the Travancore Devaswom Board was found. Many Kerala temples ask men to enter in a mundu without a shirt, so carry one and ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Phones
Not confirmed. No phone rule for this temple was found; ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Kerala Tourism notes 18 steps at the front of the temple. Wheelchair access was not found; ask at the temple office.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Linked to Bhima
The image is believed to have been worshipped by Bhima, the second Pandava, who is also credited with building the temple.
- Place in the Pancha Pandava round
A 2017 Malayala Manorama feature says darshan starts at Thrichittatt and then follows the brothers from eldest to youngest, so Bhima's temple is visited second. It adds that when all five are covered in one day, darshan before the noon puja is held to be especially meritorious. It also notes that devotees who take the Kavadi vow here visit Pandavarkavu at Muthukulam before the other Pandava temples.
- Carved mandapam ceiling
The east-facing temple has 18 front steps, a conical sanctum and a mandapam whose ceiling is rich in wood carving.
- Standing image of Vishnu
The standing image is about 20 inches high, with four arms holding the conch, discus, mace and lotus.
Sources: keralatourism.org, specials.manoramaonline.com · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple
- By air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) · about 120 km
- By train: Chengannur (CNGR) · about 4 km
- By road: Take the Mavelikara road from Chengannur for about 4.5 km. Chengannur bus station is about 4.3 km away.
Sources: keralatourism.org, specials.manoramaonline.com · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Thrichittatt Mahavishnu TempleThe Yudhishthira temple, first stop of the Pancha Pandava round.3.4 km away
- Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu TempleThe Nakula temple, fourth stop of the Pancha Pandava round.4.6 km away
- Chengannur Mahadeva TempleA major Shiva and Parvati temple in Chengannur town.3.8 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
What are the Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple timings?
Opening hours are not confirmed yet. Check with the temple before you go.
Is there a dress code at Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple?
Not confirmed. No dress rule from the temple or the Travancore Devaswom Board was found. Many Kerala temples ask men to enter in a mundu without a shirt, so carry one and ask at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Thiruppuliyur Mahavishnu Temple?
Not confirmed. No phone rule for this temple was found; ask at the entrance.
Which Pandava is linked to Thiruppuliyur temple?
Bhima. Kerala Tourism's festival listing says Bhima is believed to have worshipped the image and helped build the temple.
Is Thiruppuliyur the second Pancha Pandava temple?
Yes, by custom. A 2017 Malayala Manorama feature says pilgrims start at Thrichittatt and then follow the brothers in order, so Bhima's temple comes second.
When is the Thiruppuliyur temple festival?
Kerala Tourism lists a ten-day festival in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January to February), with flag hoisting, temple arts and an Arattu on the last day. Check the exact dates locally.