The Velekkat vishnumaya temple is located southwest of Thrissur in Palapetty Beach, Kerala, India.
The principal deity of the temple is Vishnumaya, a Kuttichathan, although 320 other Kuttichathans are also worshipped at the temple. Brahmashree Vishnubharatheeya currently serves as the temple's chief priest. The temple is associated with the kshatriya community, who traditionally worship Vishnumaya.
The main deity of the temple is the Kuttichathan, Vishnumaya. Other Kuttichathan deities worshipped in the temple include Bhadrakali, Bhuvaneshvari, Kukshikalpam, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, and Brahmarakshasa.
Before the temple was established, a devotee went to the Himalayas and, according to stories, Vishnumaya appeared and returned with him to kazhimbram. Velekkat Kuttichathan Temple was established by the magician Kunjivelu, who initially employed black magic to appease Kuttichathan. Passing on his mystical abilities to his son Bhaskaran, the lineage continued to utilize these powers for financial gain. Notably, Bhaskaran ensured the prosperity of his descendants before his passing.
Following Bhaskaran, his sons Manoj Kumar and Baburajendraprasad dutifully carried on the traditions. Eventually, BaburajendraprasadâÂÂs sons, Binoy Rajendraprasad and Shinoy Rajendraprasad, devoutly served Vishnumayaswami, ensuring the continuation of their familyâÂÂs legacy. Later, Shinoy and Binoy relocated to Dubai, prompting Manoj Kumar and Babu Rajendraprasad to generously gift the temple to all family members.
The Vishnumaya Chathan Swamy has been consecrated and installed at the location where the Velekkat family now resides.
The ritual of Roopakalam is traditionally performed during the annual Thiruvellattu festival, which occurs in the Malayalam month of Makaram at Vishnumaya temples in Kerala. Roopakalam is a ritual offering to Vishnumaya, where figures of the deity, and sometimes his companion Karimkutty, are created on the ground using multicolored herbal and organic powders. Once the Roopakalam is drawn, a priest, often a family member, performs a puja. This is followed by a ritual dance around the kalam, accompanied by traditional music. Following the dance, the priest erases the kalam using coconut palm leaves. The powder is then distributed among the devotees.
Devotees make several offerings to the deity as part of religious practices. The primary offerings include Roopakalam, Chuttuvilakku, Niramala, Brahmavellattu Karmam, Veethu, Guruthi, Divasapooja, and Pushpanjali. These rituals are performed to seek blessings and express devotion to the deity.
Thiravellattu Mahotsavam is a festival associated with the oracle of Vishnumaya, observed in the Malayalam month of Makaram. Additionally, in the month of Midhunam, a three-day festival begins on the day of the Uthram star to commemorate the Consecration Day.
Thottampattu Mahotsavam is a festival where worshippers celebrate Bhuvaneswary, who is presented in the form of the mother to Lord Vishnu Maya. Bhuvaneswary is the family deity of the Velekkat family, who was responsible for the arrival of Vishnumaya to Kazhimbram village. On the day of Thottampattu, Devi is brought out from the Sreekovil, where an idol of Devi is created as Kalam, followed by the chanting of various hymns.