Kerala - Thrissur   

Annual pilgrimage to `four temples' begins

Staff Reporter

THRISSUR: The annual pilgrimage to the Thriprayar, Koodalmanikyam, Payammal and Moozhikkulam temples began on Sunday.

The pilgrimage, called `Nalambala Darsanam,' is important during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, when Lord Rama is worshipped and the Ramayana is read in every Hindu home.

The `Nalambala Darsanam' involves offering prayers at all the four temples on a single day, and is believed to deliver devotees from sins and grant them peace and joy.

Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna are the deities of the Thriprayar, Moozhikulam, Koodalmanikyam and Payammal temples respectively. Save the one at Moozhikulam (Ernakulam), the rest of the temples are in Thrissur district.

The Thriprayar Sree Rama temple is located on the banks of river Theevra. According to legend, the Theevra was formed by the holy water that flowed from the feet of Lord Vishnu during the Vamanavatara. Hence, the name Thripadayar or Thriprayar.

The Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the celebrated Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the major temple festivals in the State.

The Koodalmanikyam temple in Irinjalakuda is perhaps the biggest temple in the country dedicated to Lord Bharata. The idol of Lord Shatrughna is housed in a squarish granite sanctum sanctorum in the Payammal temple, six km from the Koodalmanikyam temple. The Lakshmana temple at Moozhikkulam is located between Aluva and Mala.

Come Karkkidakam, other temples dedicated to Lord Rama (Kadavallur, Thiruvilwamala, Thalassery and Thiruvangad), Lakshmana (Panangagara), Bharatha (Vattallur) and Shatrughna (Naranathu Thekkedathu Mana) too draw huge crowds.

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