According to the Mushakavamsa, a historical mahakavya in Sanskrit composed by Atula, which narrates the history of Mushaka kingdom till the 11th century A.D., King vallabha II is credited with having renovated the Vishnu temple at Trichambaram. This indicates that the temple had been in existence much earlier than the 11th century A.D. Incidentally, Mushaka country, which later came to be known as Kolathunad, North
Malabar, ruled by Kolattiris, had been ruled by illustrious kings like Valabha
II and Srikantha. King Valabha was also a generous patron of learning. It was he who built the port of Valabhapattana, which later on got corrupted into Valayapattana and then into the modern, Baliapattanam, which you pass while travelling from Cannanore to Taliparamba. His younger brother Srikantha who was also called Rajadharma succeeded King Valabha. The poet Atula who composed the Mushakavamsa lived inhis court.
The srikoil is beautiful for its mysterious interior 'and exterior carvings
below the roofs, but also for murals that date from the 15th and 16th centuries. These represent an early stage of surviving wall paintings in Kerala.
Peculiar Customs of the temple
There are two peculiar customs observed here, which reinforce the belief that
the deity here represents the Lord after killing Kamsa.
Peculiar Temple pond and Durga shrine
A little to the north of the main entrance to the temple there is a little pond of about 30 square feet at the centre of which there is a Durga shrine facing west. This tank is considered a holy Tirtha and hence no one is permitted to take bath in it. The water level remains always the same; it neither increases during the rainy season or decreases during summer. At night it looks enchanting with the oil lamps lit around the temple reflected in its water.Neivedyam immediately on opening temple
One is the offering of naivedya immediately after the sanctum is opened for the day every morning. The belief is Krishna after killing Kamsa went to his mother Devaki and asked for food stating that he was very hungry after the ordeal. It is to commemorate this event that the ritual of offering food the first thing in the morning-is observed.
Prohibition of elephants any where near the temple
The other is the prohibition of elephants being taken anywhere near the temple. It may be recalled that the royal elephant Kuvalayapida charged Krishna and Balarama while they were entering the palace of Kamsa. Since this incident Krishna had developed hatred against elephants. For this reason no one dares taking an elephant near the temple.
Elephant falls down :
Once, the story goes, a wealthy Muslim who purchased a beautiful elephant decided to conduct a test and also exhibit his valour. Against the advice of all he mounted the elephant and took it near the temple on the eastern side. Suddenly the doors of the sanctum, which were closed, opened and a thunder was heard. The elephant's front legs bent and it fell down throwing off the mahout. He realized the power of the Lord, repented his action and made amends by making offerings.
