Thirukatkarai Divyadesam - Thrikakkara Katkarai Appan Temple is located about 15 KM from Ernakulam. Moolavar Kaatkarayappan is blessing in His Grand Standing Posture facing South holding His Conch, Discus, Lotus on His Three Hands and placing His Lower Left Hand on His Hip. Thrikakkara is also worshipped as Vaman Kshetra and Mahabalikarai. Katkarai means the holy place where the holy foot of Almighty -Thiruvadi was placed during Vamana Avatar, signifies the connection with the story of "Mahabali".

Thirukatkarai Divyadesam - Thrikakkara Katkarai Appan Temple - The History

Once there was a farmer lived here who plant Plantains in his fields. Surprisingly, every year all of the plantains got spoiled without any reason. He requested Kaatakarayappan that He would offer Golden Plantainsif his problem was solved. Next Year, all the plantains were harvested in good condition. As committed he offered Golden Plantains to the Almighty. At that time only the Preist and an Yogi was there in the temple. Preist went to the temple tank and when he returned, he was shocked as the Golden Plantains were missing. Yogi was suspected and the whole villagers started to harras the Yogi. At that time, there was an Asareeri – Divine Voice from the Moolavar that He only took Golden Plantains. Insulted Yogi cursed the entire village and the people that they all will become poor and committed suicide. He became Bramma Raakshasha and wandering around the village. The villagers felt sorry about the happenings and requested the Bramma Raakshashan to tell them about the remedy. They were told that to get rid of their curses, they should live in a Bamboo Sheds. After some time, Jains occupied the village and made all the villagers to live in the Bamboo sheds. One of the Chera King after some years liberated all the villagers and the curse came to an end. There was a sub shrine for Bramma Raakshasha in the outer praharam of the temple.

Once Kapila Muni came here and got admired by the village. Since there was no water there, he dug a tank and planted Senghalaneer Flowers in the temple tank to offer flowers to Kaatkarayappan every day. Pleased Almighty gave His Prathyaksham as Kaatkarayappan and stayed permanently here. Hence the temple tank is being worshipped as “Kapila Theertham”. Sanctum Sanctorum is in a Circular Shape, a typical Kerala Style Temple. There are around 16 Steps to the Garbagraham where Kaatkarayappan is blessing as Moolavar. There are subshrines in the outer praharam for Lord Shiva, Gopala Krishnan, Parvathi, Bhagawathy, Ganapathy, Subramanyar, Ayyappan, Nagar and Bramma Raakshashan. It is believed that Lord Siva Shrine is Self Manifested. Unique Feature is Kaatkarayappan is blessing in Standing Pose holding Conch, Discus and Lotus whereas placing His Left Lower Hand on His Hip.