Situated at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, Kerala, Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India dedicated to Bharata, the brother of Lord Rama. One of the distinctive feature of Koodalmanikyam temple is that there is only one single Prathista (single deity). It is one of the four temples in Kerala that form a set called "Nalambalam", each temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The temple enshrines Chathurbahu Vishnu with Conch, Chakra, Gada and Japamaala.

Location Kerala, Trichur, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legend, thousands of years ago, Irinjalakuda was a dense forest . Kulipini Maharshi and some other sages did a great Yagna to please Lord Vishnu. Pleased with their devotion, the Lord Vishnu appeared before them. As boon, Kulipini Maharshi and other sages wanted the eternal presence of the Lord at that place. The Lord readily agreed. Happy with the presence of the Lord, all the sages prayed to Goddess Ganga to bless the sacred Yagabhoomi with her presence. All the sages immersed themselves in the sacred waters and became one with the Lord. The temple itself was not built immediately after the incident. The place was not inhabited for many hundred years probably. According to the legends, a local Chieftain, Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that the four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. Next day,  Kaimal hastened to the seashore and he saw four idols laying there as indicated in the dream. As per the instructions in the dream, the four idols were duly installed in four temples. Lord Rama at Thriprayar (22 Km North west of Irinjalakuda), Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikulam (30 KM south west of Irinjalakuda) and Shatrughna at Payammal (5 KM south of Irinjalakuda). It is believed that worshiping at these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious.

This temple is part of the famous Nalambala Darshana Yatra.

Architecture

The eastern gate way (Gopuram) is an impressive structure in the typical Kerala style of architecture with tiled roof and white washed walls.   Numerous carvings are embedded into the front wall of the gateway.   From the Gopuram you enter the outer quadrangle.  The Temple is situated inside a well walled up ten-acre plot with attractive gateways on the East, South and West.   The huge porches on the Eastern and Western approach ways to the inner temple can accommodate not less than twenty-one elephants.  The Sanctum Sanctorum is round shaped and is covered with copper plates.   A six-foot Thaazhikakudam at the pinnacle adds to the beauty and majesty of the total temple complex.   On the Southern courtyard is the well-known Koothambalam, the Natyagruha for Koothu and Koodiyattom.

Culture

Thrissur, with its rich history, cultural heritage and archaeological wealth, is called as cultural capital of Kerala. The town is famous for its Pooram festival. This district is also a veritable treasure trove of history. The sylvan beauty of Northern Kerala begins here, with tiny, tranquil hamlets by the sides of tediously flowing rivers. An ancient cultural center, Thrissur houses the Kerala Kalamandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy, the Kerala Lalitakala Academy and the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy.

Darsan Info

The Diety is believed to be Bharata, brother of Ram, but the idol is that of Lord Vishnu.The diety is taken out for ceremonial procession only during the Annual Festival.

Darsan Dresscode

Male devotees are expected to wear Kerala Mundu, which is also known as Veshti or Dhothi and are not supposed to wear shirt while inside the temple. But there is no dress code for women, as they can wear any traditional dress like Saree, Churidar, Salwar Kameez or Skirt.

Temple Rituals

The custom in most of the Temples in Kerala is to have five Poojas and three Sivelis a day. But in Koodalmanikyam there are only three Poojas and no Siveli.

Special Rituals

The deity at Koodalmanikyam is believed to be an incarnation of Dhanwanthara Moorthy and has curing powers. One legend says that an aged devotee was suffering from chronic stomach ache and as instructed by the Lord in his dreams, he made an offering of 101 brinjals as Nivedya. This cured his ailment. From that day onwards, Brinjal Nivedyam became a special Nivedyam at the Temple.

Additional Info

 

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