Nalambala Darshanam - A holy journey
karkidakam is the holy month for Keralites. It's in this month we goes for Naalambala Darshanam. We worship the gods Sree Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana, and Shatrugna at Triprayar, Koodalmanikyam, Moozhikulam and Payammal temples respectively. It is believed that visiting these temples on a same day of Karkidakam will eliminate all diseases for a year. Lets check more about Naalambala Darshanam and the four temples.
Mythology behind formation of Naalambalam
When Dwaraka drowned in sea, the four idols of sree rama, lakshmana, bharatha and shatrugna also were lost in the sea. Later this four idols reached the hands of landlords of ponnani taluk known as 'Vakkayil family'. They became so confused about where to put these idols. After serious discussions with the famous astrologists , they found out suitable places for this idols. They build four temples at different places, at the bank of Theevra river Sree Rama temple, Bharatha temple at the bank of Kulipini theertham, Lakshmana temple at the bank of Poorna river and Shatrugna temple was build near to the Bharatha temple.
To go and see these gods in these temples on a single day is known as ' Naalambala theertha Yatra'. Even though there are many temples of these gods in kerala, these four temples are selected by devotees for 'Naalambala theertha yathra'. Triprayar, Koodalmanikyam, Moozhikulam and Payammal is the order for visiting the temples for ' Naalambala darshanam'.Triprayar Sree Rama Temple
Triprayar temple situated in Triprayar of Thrissur district is the most famous temple in all of the ' Sree Rama' temples in kerala. Like the river 'Sarayu' purifies 'Ayodhya', a river named ' Theevra' flows along the banks of Triprayar temple.
'Kandalettam thelimapeduma
nandhiyare kadannalundakkam
sanakanu Purayarente aavasa bhoomi'
This is few lines taken from the poem ' Kogasandhesham' which was written in 14th century. From this it can be understood that triprayar was called as ' Purayar'. Later it changed to 'Thirupurayar' and then to ' Triprayar'.
'Dakshinamoorthy' is the shiva presence here in the Triprayar temple. Lord Ganapathi is at south west of the temple and athe the south side of the temple there is ' Shastha Prathishta' which is famous in this temple. Even koodal manikyam, Moozhikulam and Payammal have their own festivals, Triprayar temple doesn't have a festival of its own. The ancient history says that Triprayar temple was a 'Shastha temple'. The ' Dhashami Vela' and ' Pathamudhayam' which is conducted on behalf of Triprayr ekadashi are those celebrations which are about 'Shasthavu'. There are special poojas carried out in this temple for ' Shasthavu'. A special pooja for ' Goshala Krishanan' is also carried out at the north side of the temple. It is believed that the presence of Hanuman and Chaathan is in the temple. The famous ' Arattupuzha pooram' in which only ' Shasthas ' and ' Devis ' would have their presence is lead by ' Triprayar Thevar'.
'Vedi vazhipaadu' is the most important vazhipaadu given to 'Triprayar Thevar'. 'Karkidaka' month is celebrated as the ' Ramayana ' month in Triprayar temple. There used to be speeches and programs related to ' Ramayanam' regularly.
Darshan is possible from 3 am to 12.30 pm and then from 5 pm to 7.30 pm.Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple
Koodalmanikyam temple is a very famous temple among every temples in Kerala. It is most important temple in Kerala which is dedicated to ' Bharatha '. Once this place was a cursed by all type of natural calamities. Thus once upon a time ' Kulipini Maharshi' conducted a 'Yagam' here and the god was happy in his pooja and the problems of this place was removed by the god. The 'Homakundam' used by 'Kulipini maharshi' is still seen in the 'Kulipini theetham' pond of the temple.
Mythology about the temple
Once a divine light happened to appear on the idol of the lord. Some argued that the shine it gives is same as that of a ' Manikyam' and some said it is not. As different opinions raised on this, the authorities decided to compare the divine light with a ' manikyam '. At those times a good ' manikyam ' was in the hands of great Kayamkulam king. They bought it to the temple and began to compare the divine light with the ' manikyam'. When they bought that ' manikyam' close to the idol, to everyone's astonishment, it got merged with the idol and dissolved in it. It is based on this the temple got its name ' Koodalmanikyam'.
' Koodalmanikya swami' is also known as sangameshan. The incident which payed the way to get this name is as follows.
Once a great brahmin who livedin a place named Thaliparamb wished for the presence of all god in the temple in his village. He started to do poojas in different temples and invoked many god presence in his ' Shanku' (shell). He also came to 'koodalmanikyam' to do the same. After invoking the god Bharatha's presence in the shell, he came out of the ' Sreekovil' , but accidently the shell in his slipped out of his hand and broken into pieces. Thus all the god presence which were present in that shell combined in the Koodalmanikyam temple along with Bharatha. Thus koodalmanikya swami got another name 'sangamesan'.
' Thamara mala' is the most important vazhipadu of this temple. Before doing anything if a ' thamara mala' is given to Sangamesan, it is believed that the work is blessed and happens properly. Only some special flowers are used to do pooja in the temple. Flowers like' thechi, thulasi' etc are not use here. Also intense sticks and camphor is not used for poojas. It is also interesting to kow that except fishes , no other water living organisms is seen here. Koodalmanikyam temple is very different from other temples because it doesn't have poojas like 'deeparadhana' and 'panthiradi' which are common in almost every temples.
Koodalmanikya swami is also worshipped as the one who cure diseases of his devotees. There are special kinds of ' nivedhyam ' for devotees. For those who are suffering from stomach problems, ' Vazhithina Nivedhyam ' is given to cure it. Also for those who are suffering from breath related problems, ' meenoottu vazhipadu ' is conducted in the temple pond. It is also believed that if 'mukkudi nivedhyam' is intaken by those who suffers from any disease, it will be healed soon.
Darshan time is from 3 am to 12 noon and then from 5 pm to 8 pmMoozhikulam Lakshmana Temple
The famous lakshmana temple of Kerala is situated in Moozhikulam which lies in between Aluva and Maala of Ernakulam district. It takes6km from Aluva to reach ' Anna mada mahadeva temple ' and from there it takes 7km to reach moozhikulam temple. Moozhikulam temple is the most worshiped temple from the ancient times and is important among 108 vaishnava temples. Other than lord Lakshmana, to the soth of the temple there is lord Shiva, lord Ganapathy, Lord Sree Rama and Devi Sita and Lord Hanuman . Bhagavathi ang Shasthavu are also worshiped at the southwest side of the temple. On the north side lord Goshala Krishnan is worshiped.
If silk, turmeric powder, silver, 'paal payasam' are given and prayed ' Urmila devi' will bless her devotees to be married soon. If ' ottayappam' is given to Ganapathi, he will destroys any hindrance of his devotees. Nivedhyams such as breaking of coconut, paalpayasam, ashtaabishekam, neerajanam, karukamala, ghee nivedhyam are also available here.
Mythology of the temple
Moozhikulam was once a dark forest. A saint named Haritha Mahershi blessed this place by his 'Tapass' for long years. The great lord Mahavishnu became very happy with Haritha Maharshi and once blessed him with by his dharshan on the bank of Poorna river. Moozhikulam was formed from the name Thirumozhikalam where Thirumozhi means Vedhas and kalam means place.
Darshan time is from 4 am to 12.30 pn and then 5 pm to 8 pm.Payammal Shatrugna temple
This temple is situated in Aripalam of Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district which is just 6 km from koodalmanikyam temple. In all of the four ' Chathur Baahu' idols, which Sreekrishnan has done pooja in Dwaraka, this idol worshiped here is the comparatively smaller one.
Sudharshana Pushpanjali is the most important and well known offering of this temple. Devotees says that this offering gives better results for our enlightment. Sudharshana chakram is another offering carried out here. By giving this offering it is believed that the one who given this offering will have prosperity and wealth for the family.
Darshan time is from 4 am to 12 noon and then from 5 pm to 8 pm.Rules to follow while Naalambalam darshan
First you have to start from Triprayar Sree Rama temple. After praying lord Rama at Nirmalyam pooja at 3 am, proceed to Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple and attend the Usha pooja. Then from irinjalakuda proceed to Moozhikulam Lakshmana temple and attend Ucha pooja there. After that go to Payammal Shatrugna temple in the evening and attend Deeparadhana and athazha pooja. In between you should also vist the Hanuman Temple near Chandanakkavu during this journey.How to reach the four temples
1. Triprayar Sree Rama Temple
By road: 25 kms from Thrissur or 24 kms from Guruvayoor
By train: Have stations at Thrissur and Guruvayoor
By air: 60 kms from Kochi
2. Irinjalakuda Sree Bharatha Temple (Koodalmanikyam temple)
By road: 22 kms from thrissur
By rail: 9 kms from irinjalakuda station
By air: 45 kms from Kochi
3. Moozhikulam Lakshmana Temple
By road: 50 kms from thrissur
By rail: 9 kms from Angamaly
By air: 15 kms from Kochi
4.Payammel Shatrugna Temple
By road: 8kms from Irinjalakuda
By rail: 15 kms from Irinjalakuda station
By air: 45 kms from KochiRoute map for nalambalam Dharshanam
Contact numbers of the temples
Triprayar temple: 0487 2391375
Irinjalakuda temple: 0480 2826631
Moozhikulam temple: 0484 2473516
Payammel temple: 0480 3291396
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A very informative and auspicious article.Such indispensable part of our culture has become completely indifferent to the young generation.
Appreciate your effort in producing such a wonderful article.Hope to get more similar stuffs from your end.