Padmapuram Adithya Temple

Padmapuram Adithya Temple

Padmapuram Adithya Temple is one of the ancient Temples in South India. It is situated at Pallipuram near Cherthala in Alappuzha District of Kerala.

Surya was born as the son of Sage Kashyapa and Aditi, and was one of the Adityas. He got married to Sanjana (sometimes called Saranya), the daughter of Vishwakarma.

But his wife could not tolerate the heat coming from him and went back to her father’s home after creating her shadow called Chaya to take her place.

In time, Chaya gave birth to Shani, Tapti. On coming to know of the birth of Shani, Vishwakarma comes to know of the truth and sends Sanjana back. She gives birth to Yama and Yamuna. But Surya realizes that she ill-treats Shani and gets her to tell the truth. Sent away from her husband’s house again, she becomes a mare. Surya realizes his mistake, and on finding Sanjana, becomes a horse.

They give birth to the godly doctors, the Ashwini Kumaras. Surya comes back to lead his life with both his wives, Sanjana and Chaya.

Temple History

Legends speak about a Namboothiri of the Kapikkaadu mana who performed a deep meditation to please Lord Adithya.The Lord appeared before him and instructed him to consecrate an idol in that place. The descendants of that Namboothiri continue to offer pujas here. The temple has got a circular sanctum.
Sri Gurunathan, who came to Cherthala started worshiping the Sun God and named the area as ‘Padmapuram’.

Here the idol of sun god Aditya can be see carrying a white lotus flower and is seen sitting on a lotus flower.The idol is made of a special stone which absorbs all the oil that is used for Abhishekam ( pouring it over the idol)in the morning.

Many devotees come to the temple, especially on Sundays seeking relief from the many problems in life. Devi, Shastha and Yakshi are the subdeities.

In the month of Makara, the annual festival of the deity is celebrated in Uttaradi Nakshatra. The festival is celebrated as Ankuradi with elaborate Kalashadi Karmas.