Shri Muttath Tirumala Temple is located at
Cherthala in
Alappuzha District. It is on the
National Highway 47 and is 50 km south of
Kochi. Muttath is the ancient name of Cherthala town after which the temple is named. This ancient temple, facing the east was reconstructed in 1763 in Kerala style architecture.
The presiding deity is Venkatachalapathy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol is flanked by Goddess Bhoomidevi and Goddess Lakshmi on either side. The other deities enshrined in the temple are Lord Hanuman and Lord Garuda. The Narasimha Salagrama, given by Srimat Madhavendra Tirtha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt, is worshipped in the
shrikovil. This Salagrama is believed to be very auspicious and powerful. The temple also boasts a
nalamb
alam and shrikovil. The Anapandal is on the left of the shrikovil. There is a divine nelli tree(Amla tree) at the south-west corner of the temple premises.
Legend tells that in the 18th century, there was a small Shiva temple at Muttath which belonged to a Namboothiri. Before the construction of the temple, the Venkatachalapathy idol was brought here and worshipped under a Nelli Tree. This tree is considered divine and pujas are done at the tree.
The sub temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is on the north-east corner of the temple premises. On the left of this shrine the idols of Yakshi and Naga are installed. The main gopuram is to the right. The Arattukulam and temple pond is outside the temple premises.
Cherthala Railway Station on the Ernakulam–Alappuzha line is the nearest railhead. Buses are frequent on the Ernakulam-Cherthala route.
