The Trip – A rare experience

We started our pilgrimage by 3:45 AM in the morning by visiting Edappally (in Ernakulam District)‘ Kottaram Ganapathy temple’ to remove all the obstacles(Lord Ganapathy is treated as Vigneshwara - the lord who removes obstacles). Usually the four temples are visited in a sequence

1. Sree Rama

2. Sree Bharatha

3. Sree Lakshmana

4. Sree Shathrugna

Thriprayar Temple - Where Sree Rama is at his Best

The first destination in our list was Thriparayar temple which is 22 KMs from Thrissur.

We reached there by 4:45. The Temple is situated in the banks of the river ‘Thivra’. The temple is well known for its architectural excellence.The idol of Sree Rama resembles the chaturbahu Vishnu four arms, bearing a conch, a disc, a bow and a garland. It is believed that the deity worshipped here possesses some of the amsha or part of Shiva as well. The idol is adorned with necklaces and other refined jewelry. Idols of Sreedevi(goddess of wealth) and Bhoodevi (goddess of earth) are on his side. Rama Idol here is in the form of the one who defeated Khara / Ravana.

The temple complex opens in to the river and feeding the fishes is an offering there. A Snake boat race is conducted in the months of August/ September in this river(Onam, the festival of happiness and prosperity also falls in the same time).

Koodal Manikyam – Irinjalakuda

After offering our salutes (with crossed hands and closed eyes) to the diety we left to Koodal Manikyam – Sree Bharatha Temple which is a place of solitude and have a bliss in the surrounding. One of the ancient temples of Kerala situated in Irinjalakuda, the temple has one of the Largest ‘Theertha Kulam’( sacred pond) where there is an another custom which is called ‘Meenutu’(feeding the Fishes). The fishes in the pond are considered to be ‘Devas’. The idol at Koodalmanikyam is also Chathurbahu with Conch, Chakra, Gada and Japamaala. The general belief, however, is that the Lord is Bharatha, the brother of Sree Rama.

This temple is said to have many deities in Unison in a single idol and there are no subdeities inside the temple compound. This is one of the rarest temples in Kerala where there is no Deeparadana.

Sree Lakshmana Temple - Moozhikulam

After an hour of spirutal offerings we continued our pilgrimage to Moozhikulam – Sree Lakshmana Temple which is very near to Athani (In Aluva – Mala Route). it is believed that worshipping Lakshmana wards off fear and serpent bites. The deities like Shiva, Ganapathi, Sree Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Sastha and Bhagawathi are also present in the temple complex. Outside the Chuttambalam(outer wall), Goshala Krishna is idolized. Offering Aval (rice flakes or beaten rice) to Hanuman is one of the major prasadams in moozhikulam.

Shatrughna temple - Payammal

The Payammal temple is about seven kilometers from Iringalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple in the Iringalakuda Mathilakam route. Shatrughna is considered to be the reincarnation of the Sri Chakra in the hands of Mahavishnu.

After praying in all these temples, called as the Nalambalam, we feel calmness, solitude and satisfaction in our heart.

Distances:

Ernakulam – Thriprayar – 50 Kms (Approx)

Triprayar – Trissur – 22 Kms (Approx)

Irinjalakuda – trissur – 25 Kms

Moozhikulam – Irinjalakuda – 8 Kms

Payamal – Irinjalakuda - 7 Kms

Tip: Get a train to Iringalakuda/ Kochi. From there, hire a taxi, you can visit all these places by 1:00 PM, provided you are starting by 3:00 AM. If you need to visit more places/ temples, get in touch with a tour company, and they will help you to draw a route which will be easy on your pocket. KSRTC, also provide regular services from Irinjalakuda, for the convenience of pilgrims

* this is not an exhaustive guide to visit Nalambalam. If you need some customised package for you you can always get in touch with us through the contact form in UAEexchangeravel.com.

Compiled by : Sandeep Ravindranath