Kerala - Thrissur   

Nalambala darsanam from July 17

Staff Reporter

Tranquil place: A view of the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple.

Thrissur: ‘Nalambala darsanam,’ the annual pilgrimage to four well-known temples in central Kerala during the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam (July 17 to August 16), begins on Tuesday.

It involves offering prayers at the Thriprayar Sree Rama temple, Moozhikkulam Lakshmana temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple and Payammal Sathrughna temple on a day.

According to legend, idols of the valiant characters in the Ramayana were installed at the shrines by Vakkayil Kaimal, a Minister with the Ayirur Kovilakam. He is believed to have got the idols from fishermen.

The main idol at Thriprayar temple portrays Lord Rama as ‘protector of the universe.’ Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the important festivals of central Kerala.

The Irinjalakuda temple depicts Bharata offering prayers to Lord Rama. Usha Puja and Pantheeradi Puja are not performed at this shrine.

The Moozhikkulam temple on the eastern banks of Chalakudy River is one of the few shrines in the State dedicated to Lakshmana.

The Payammal temple, 6 km from Vellankallur on the Irinjalakuda - Kodungallur route, is one of the few shrines having Sathrughna as the main deity.

The timings for ‘darsanam’ are as follows:

Thriprayar Sree Rama temple - 3.30 a.m. to 12 noon and 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikya temple - 3 a.m. to 12 noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple - 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.;

Payammal Satrughna temple - 5 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

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