Thirumoozhikulam Lakshmana Swami Temple,Darshan Information

Thirumoozhikulam Lakshmana Swami Temple

27 Jan

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Located in Thirumoozhikalam (Moozhikkulam) in Ernakulam, Kerala, Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshmanaperumal Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Lakshmana Perumal. This temple is part of the famous Nalambala Darshana Yatra. The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Location Kerala, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legends, a local ruler, 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 sea shore 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 worshipping at these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious. It is believed that Lord Krishna worshipped these idols.

This temple is part of the famous Nalambala Darshana Yatra.

Architecture

Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshmanaperumal Temple has all the five prakaras and is beautifully constructed. It is believed that the temple was built according to the design made by Perumthachan, the legendary master artisan. The temple was set on fire in 1790 during the invasion by Tipu Sultan and the idol was desecrated. It was renovated later during the reigns of Travancore Kings Sree Moolam Tirunal Maharaja and Sree Chithira Tirunal Maharaja. Vattezhuthu inscriptions can be found on the northern side and below the pranalam and also on the western side of the valiyambalam, confirming the age of the temple.

Culture

Moozhikulam is one of the 108 Divya Desams mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The Divya Desam refer to 108 Vishnu temples, of which 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and last two are outside the Earthly realms. The last two are Thirupalkadal - the ocean of milk - and Paramapadam - the Srivaikuntam where lord Narayana presides. The ten temples in Malai Nadu or Kerala include Moozhikulam Lakshmana Swami temple, Sree Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram, and Thirunavai temple. The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses.

Darsan Info

Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshmanaperumal Temple is open from 5 AM to 11 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

At Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshmanaperumal Temple, Traditional Kerala attire is preferred.

Famous Festival

April/May : Annual Festival

Temple Rituals

The four-armed sila idol of Lord Maha Vishnu is in the sankalpa of Lord Lakshmana. The idol holds conch, chakra, club and lotus in its hands. Other deities are Lord Ganapati and Lord Sastha in sila idols, Lord Siva in sila linga idol, pancha-loha Goddess Bhagavati in mirror form and panchaloha Goshala Krishnan. Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman are only sila peetha without idols.

Special Rituals

It is believed that praying at all the four temples -Rama at Thriprayar. Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and Sathrughna at Payammal -on the same day is especially meritorious. In the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July 15 to August 15) - the Ramayana Masam, thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimge, which is popularly known as "Nalambalam Yatra" - a pilgrimage to the four temples (Nalambalam).