Sri Koodalmanikyam Temple- Kerala

Address

Sri Koodalmanikyam Temple- Trissur District, Irinjalakuda, Kerala 680121

Deity

Koodalmanikyam (Bharata) Vishnu

Introduction

• Location:
  • Situated in Irinjalakuda Municipality, Thrissur district, Kerala, India.
• Structure:
  • Features a main temple structure, a walled compound with citadels, and four ponds (one inside the walls).
• Deity:
  • Dedicated to Bharata, the third brother of Rama, but the idol is that of Lord Vishnu.
  • Known as Sangameshwara (“the Lord of the Confluence”).
• Nalambalam Group:
  • Part of the nalambalam set, which includes temples dedicated to the four brothers from the Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna.
• Administration:
  • Managed by Thachudaya Kaimal (spiritual chief and temporal ruler), a lineage mentioned in the Skanda Purana.

Puranic Significance

• Historical References:
  • Earliest mention in a stone inscription from 854 A.D. by Chera king Stanu Ravi Varman, who donated land to the temple.
  • Additional land donations made by Cheraman Perumal Bhaskara Ravi Varma.
• Administration History:
  • Initially under the Maharaja of Cochin, then managed by a Thachudaya Kaimal appointed by the Maharaja of Travancore.
  • Taken over by the Government of Kerala in 1971, now managed by a government-appointed committee.
• Architecture:
  • Built in typical Kerala architectural style with delicate carvings.
  • Features an impressive eastern gopuram (gateway) and a circular sanctum sanctorum with a copper plate roof.
• Pilgrimage:
  • Nalambala Darshanam: An annual pilgrimage to the four shrines, considered auspicious.

Special Features

• Ponds:
  • Four ponds, with Kuttan Kulam (largest) outside the compound and Kulipini Theertham inside, believed to be sanctified by sage Kulipini.
• Ritual Practices:
  • Three pujas daily, no siveli (processional rituals), and no usha or pantheeradi puja.
  • Deity taken out for ceremonial procession only during the annual festival; no deepa-aradhana (lamp offering).
  • Unique offerings: only lotus, tulasi, and thechi flowers, specifically lotus garlands with no less than 101 flowers.

Festivals

• Annual Festival:
  • Lasts ten days in the month of Medam (April/May), beginning with the uthram asterism and the hoisting of a ceremonial flag.
  • Features a seeveli (procession of caparisoned elephants) twice daily, accompanied by panchari melam (sacred music).
  • Includes 17 elephants, with unique features: two baby elephants and seven elephants wearing golden headdresses.
• Final Days:
  • Concludes with panchavadyam (music from an orchestra of five instruments) and ends on the thiruvonam asterism.

Century/Period/Age

854 A.D

Managed By

Travancore Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Irinjalakuda

Nearest Railway Station

Thrissur

Nearest Airport

Kochi

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