The Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple, located in Thrikkakara near Kochi, is a significant Hindu shrine dedicated to Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Believed to be over 2,000 years old, this ancient temple holds great religious importance and is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams (Vyshnava Temples) – sacred pilgrimage sites for Vaishnavites.
The main festival at the Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple is celebrated during Onam, which takes place in August or September. This is the temple’s most significant annual event. Historically, after the East India Company and Marthanda Varma annexed the region from the Kingdom of Kochi, the Onam celebrations were jointly conducted by 61 local chieftains (Naduvazhis) under the leadership of the Maharaja of Travancore. This tradition continued until India gained independence. Today, the festival still reflects a strong sense of communal harmony, with people from various religious backgrounds participating in large numbers, especially for the grand Onasadya (Onam feast), which embodies the inclusive spirit of the celebration. In addition to Onam, the temple also observes other major Hindu festivals such as Vishu, Makara Sankranti, Navaratri, and Saraswati Puja.
The Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple complex is a spacious and sacred site centered around the main shrine of Vamana, shown in the act of placing his foot on the Asura king Mahabali. Believed to be established by Parashurama, the temple holds historical records of Onam celebrations dating back to 861 CE. It is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The complex includes sub-shrines for Bhagavati, Sasthavu, Gopalakrishna, Nāga, Brahmarakshasa, and Yakshi. The Brahmarakshasa shrine stands near a sacred banyan tree (Aaldevatha) and a serpent grove (Sarpa Kavu). Thousands of traditional lamps, known as Chuttuvilakku, line the inner walls of the temple.
There are two temple ponds: Kapilatheertham, located north of the sanctum and accessible only to priests, and another pond outside the northern wall used for the ceremonial Aaraattu ritual during Onam. A nearby Shiva temple, renovated in 2014, houses idols of Shiva, Ganesha, Karthikeya, and Durga.
The complex also features three performance stages called Naimishaaranyam and an auditorium in the southwest corner, used for weddings, meetings, and the Onam feast.