Nalambala Pilgrimage- in Karkidakam- Kerala Paithrikam.

  Nalambala Yathra, (Nalambala Darshanam, Nalambala Pilgrimage) in Thrissur District.

Nalambalam pilgrimage or worship at the four temples of Ram, lakshman, bharatha and shatrugna on the same day assumes great significance in the present kaliyuga when there is general decline in satwaguna and rise of tamoguna. Lord Krishna is believed to have initiated this form of worship at the end of dwaparayuga to prevent people from succumbing to evil forces and it directs them along the right path of life.

            Legend has it that at the end of dwaparayuga when dwaraka was submerged in sea, the four idols of Rama, lakshmana, bharatha and shatrugna which lord Krishna had worshipped went adrift in the sea. The chief of ponnani taluk vakkayil kaimal had a vision in his dream about there idols. On seeing these idols floating in the seas, fishermen brought to them to kaimal.

            After consulting with the astrologers kaimal installed the idols of Rama, bharatha, shatrugna and lakshmana at four places. The Rama temple was constructed on the banks of theevrandi, the bharatha and shatrugna temples adjacent to place were kuleepani sage performed yoga’s and lakshmana temple on the shoes of poornanadi. These places in course of time came to known as thriprayar, irinjalakuda, payammal (all in thrissur district) and moozhikulam in enakulam district. People throng to worship the deities at these temples on the same day during karkkidakasm, believed to be the month Rama was born.

Thripryar Sri Rama Temple

It is the most popular Sri Rama Temple in Kerala situated on the banks of the river believed to be water from the Kamandalu of lord Brahma which fell on the feet of lord Vamana.  The place thus came to be known as ‘Thripadayar’.  Kokasandesha written before 15^th century also refers to the place as Purayar.  The name became Triprayar later. 

            According to legends the Balikallu of the temple is located at the place above which a divine peacock had circled in the sky when Vakkayil Kaimal was looking for a place to install the idol of Rama.  Later when Naranathu Bhranthan visited the temple he suggested special poojas to stop it from Bhoomi devi and Sree Bhagavathy on either side of lord Rama. The two idols are also believed to have been installed by Vilwamangalam Swami to restore the radiance of the temple.   

            The Sree Rama idol  hear holds the conch, charka, bow and akshamala.  Dakshinamoothy on the southern side, Ganapathy on the South western corner and Sastha on the southern side are sub-deities.  On the northern side, special pooja for Goshala Krishana is helled. The temple is said to have the presence of Hanuman and Chathan as well. 

            A unique feature of the temple is that there are no festivals here.  But Triprayar Thevar lords over the famous Arattupuzha Pooram where there is a  congregation  of Sastha and Devi deities of the nearby temples.

            Worship at the temple during Nirmalyam and Athazha Seeveli is considered to bring good to the devotees.  VediVazhipadu is an important offering at the temple.  According to legends, this offering is in remembrance of the sound Hanuman made to greet Lord Rama on his return from lanka on seeing Sita ‘Meenoottu’, Aval and Payasam are the other important offerings at the temple.  It was on the instruction of Samoothiri Raja that Anguliyangam Koothu is performed at the temple during the month of Vrischikam.  The Krishnapaksha Ekadasi and the Pooram during Meenam are the special days at the temple. 

Koodalmanikka Temple at Irinjalakkuda.

           

            It is the only temple dedicated to bharatha in kerala and is located at the place where kuleepani sage had lived and performed yagas. The homa kundas used by the sages are still present as sacred ponds at the temple. Though it is a bharatha temple, lord Vishnu is worshipped as deity.

            Once, a divine glow appeared on the forehead of the idol. Some said it ws equal to the radiance of a ruby and some said the brightness was not brilliant. To test the light’s brilliance it was decided to compare it with a real ruby, which was provided by the ruler of kayamkulam on condition that should be returned safely. When the gem was brought near the forehead, it got merged into the idol. Thus the temple came to be known as koodalmanikam. Since the ruby could not be returned to the ruler of kayamkulam, he was given the charge of supervision of the temple till 1971, his descendents where in control of the administration of the temple.

            The deity is also known as sangameshan as the place was once the joining place of Chalakudi River and Kurumali River, which changed direction in the natural calamities that followed.

            The temple has several unique factors associated with it there are no sub-deities  and incence  sticks  and camphor are not used for poojas.  Only swathika flowers are used for Poojas.  One cannot find water creatures other than fish in the secred ponds in the temple.  Pantheeradi Pooja and Deeparadhana are not performed in the temple.

            The brinjal offerings from the temple is believed to cure stomach ailments.  Feeding the fish in the ponds is said to cure respiratory problems.  Another important offering of the temple is Mukkidi, which the devotees believe if taken continuously for a year, will help remove all diseases.  According to ardent devotees, this special herbal preparation is a  panacea for all ailments.  Lotus garland is another important offering to the temple. 

            The 11 day annual festival begins with flag hoisting on Uthram day in the month of  Medam.  A variety of traditional arts like  Ottamthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Patakam, Kathakali etc is performed at the temple during the festival. 

Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple.

            This sole Lakshmana temple of Kerala is located at Moozhikulam in Ernakulam district. Legend has it that the Vaishnava saint haritha did penance here and invoked the blessings of lord Vishnu. It is on this shore of  Poornanadi that the lord instructed the sage about ways and means for redemption of soul in kaliyuga. The place where the sage received the moozhi from Vishnu came to be known as Thirumoozhikulam which later changed to the present name.

            In ancient Kerala, lot of Tamil Vaishnavites used to come here for worship.  They had even composed many  songs in praise of the main deity  of the temple.  The temple related rules made  by Moozhikkulam temple is known as Moozhikkulam Kachcha  used to be followed in other temples of  Kerala in the ancient times. 

            Since Lakshmana is believed to be the incarnation of Anantha,  praying at the temple is believed to prevent snake attacks. Death from snake bites is said to be less in this region.  Tamil devotees believe Lakshmana idol in the temple is in the form of companion of lord Rama at Chitrakootam.  Some believe the deity is the  surprised Lakshmana on seeing Bharatha coming with the army while others see in the idol Lakshmana who has taken a vow to kill Indrajith.

            The annual festival begins on Atham day in the month of Medam and ends on Thiruvonam day.  Though all the traditional arts are performed during the festival, the importance is for Chakyar Koothu. 

            The temple was famous during the time of Chera Kings.  It is believed  that in the fourth century AD Kulasekharavarman built the flag mast in the temple and during the time of Bhaskaravarman, the temple underwent renovation.  The temple fell into bad times during the invasion of Tipu Sultan and for many years even poojas were not performed in the temple.

Payammal Shatrughna Temple.

This temple is located around 7 KMs from the Koodalmanikkya Temple.  It suffered severe damages during the invasion of Tippu Sultan and it was due to the efforts of the villagers that the temple was renovated, which led to the resumption of poojas and festivals.    

            Sathrughna is believed to be the incarnation of Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu and hence the offerings of replica of Sudarshana Chakra is considered by the devotees to bring in  prosperity to the family and to protect them from troubles.  Sudarshana Puspanjali is a popular offering at the temple. 

           

            The Makayiram day in the month of Medam is celebrated as the idol installation day.  The five day event starting from Pooyam day in Kumbham is also an important festival.