The Nalambalam yatra is a revered monsoon spiritual journey through four Kerala temples dedicated to Lord Rama and his brothers: Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. Traditionally performed during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, pilgrims visit all four shrines—typically in Thrissur and Kottayam districts—between sunrise and sunset on a single day.
Commencing at the Triprayar Sree Rama Temple, devotees proceed to Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam (Bharata), Moozhikulam (Lakshmana), and conclude at Payammal (Shatrughna). This sacred circuit offers deep mental tranquility, symbolizes filial devotion, and renews spiritual energy during the heavy monsoon season.
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| Nalambalam Yatra(Pilgrimage). about pilgrimage |
(Karkidakam) - July - August. In the past decade this famous yatra has become more popular than ever before. There are four groups of Nalambalam yatra shrines, the ones briefly discussed below are commonly visited by the pilgrims. They are all located in Thrissur district and can be accessed from the city as they fall within the radius of 35 to 40 kilo meters. The general belief is going on a pilgrimage to all these shrines is good for the family and its welfare. It is a round trip starting from Lord Rama, Lord Bharatha - Lord Lakshmana, Lord Sathrukhna and finally back to Lord Rama respectively.
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| Nalambalam yatra, route map. en.wikipedia.org |
At the Thriprayar Temple in Thrissur District, the presiding deity is Sri Rama in a standing posture and the idol in the Garbhagriha/ Sreekovil is six feet tall holding conch - Shankh', mystical disc- Sudarshan Chakra, bow and Garland (Chaturbhuja - four-armed form), facing east.
The sanctum is circular shaped, with sculptures depicting episodes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The Namaskara Mandapam facing Sreekovil (sanctum) has about 24 panels of wood carvings, depicting the Navagrahas (nine planets) and ancient murals. From the inscriptions found here, Triprayar Sree Rama Temple is believed to have been in existence since the 11th century. The idol is in ugraha (fierce) form. He is seen here as the conqueror of demon Khara. His consorts here are Sri Devi and Bhoomi Devi.
The other idols worshipped in this temple are Dakshinamurthy,
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| Triprayar Rama Temple ...Destinations Diary |
Hanuman, Ganapathy and Ayyappan. Like other temples of Kerala, this one is under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board, an autonomous body.
This temple observes Sethubandhanam - in memory of the building of the stone bridge to go to Srilanka from the Danushkodi Island by the Vanara (apes), army of Sri Rama. Every year it falls on the "Thiruvonam" day of Malayalam month "Kanni"and the venue is Chemmappilly which is close to Thriprayar, As part of the Nalambalam, this is the first temple to begin the darshan of sri Rama and his brothers. Darshan time: from 3am – 12.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm . Meenuku and Vedi are important Vazhipadu.
Thriprayar is in the middle of Guruvayoor – Kodungallur route .
Koodalmanikyam Temple, Irinjalakuda:
This is a unique Vaishnava temple and the second temple to visit. Situated 10 km away from Irinjalakuda railway station and 20 km away from Triprayar, this ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the brother of Sri Rama. Except Kerala, no other Indian state has a temple dedicated to Bharata, the third brother of Sri Rama, son of Kaikeyi. The annual colorful eleven day festival with a pageant of thirteen caparisoned elephants held in April/May attracts a lot of people. The festival in this temple marks the end of the Hindu temple festival season in Kerala.
Built in the 15th century, Koodalmanikyam temple was once a Jain temple (Bharatheeswarar saint of Jains) and after the decline of Jainism, this temple became a Hindu temple. Once this temple was located at the the confluence of two rivers, hence the name of the place is Iruchalkkidai and the lord is referred to as Sangameswara. As the geomorphology of the region changed through vast time, span, the two rivers (Kurumali river and Chalakudy river) have changed their course of direction and the town Irinjalakuda is presently not on the river bank. In order to remind the link between two rivers in the past, Arattu is held to the rivers regularly.
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| Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Swami Temple vaikhari.org |
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| koothambalam. Koodalmanikyam Swami Temple vaikhari.org |
odd fact is there is not even a shrine for Ganapati at this temple. A distinctive feature of Koodalmanikyam temple is that there is only one single Prathista.
Koodalmanikyam temple is a perfect example of Kerala - style architecture. The temple has dwajasthambam and pancha pakoras with other features like Anakottil in the east and western entrances, koothambalam, Vilakkumadam, Nalambalam/
Vaniyambalam, Namaskara mandapam and sreekovil. All these places have beautiful sculptures of amazing beauty and designs. The striking features are golden thazhikakudam, golden dwajasthambam (flag staff), copper plated Garbhagriha -Sreekovil or sanctum and Namaskara mantap (where devotees prostrate before God). There is no balipeetam (balikkalppura) here.
Temple Arts like Kathakali, Koothu, Koodiyattam and Thullal are performed here, thus promoting ancient arts unique to Kerala. The local Chakyar families keep the ancient temple tradition alive.
Darshan Timing : Morning 3:00AM - 1:00PM, Evening : 5:00PM - 8:20PM. Important Offerings are Thamara Mala , Brinjal Nivedyam Vedi , Ghee lamp , Menotti.
Moozhikulam Temple:
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Lord Lakshmana Temple at Moozhikulam Indiaforums.com |
The famous Annamanada Mahadeva temple is nearby on the Irinjalakuda route to Kodungallur.
Darshan Timing : Morning 5:00AM - 1:00PM, Evening : 5:00PM - 8:30PM
Payammal Sree Shathruknha swamy Temple:
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| Payammal Sree Shathruknha swamy temple. Kerala Travel - Manoramaonline.com |
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| Payammal Sree Sathrughna Swami Temple, sathrughnatemple.com |
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| Payammal Sree Sathrughna Swami Temple. discoveringindia.net |
A strange custom is followed here. Devotees submit their daily income-expenses account' book before the deity in the evening puja for his forgiveness if errors are committed unwittingly by them!
Darshan time: morning 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM and evening 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Here, during the month of Karkidakam alone the darshan timings are changed as 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM in the morning and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the evenings.
Payammal is 8 km away from Irinjalakuda, 4 km away from Mathilakam by road. . By Rail: Irinjalakuda 15 km By Air: Kochi 45 km. To complete the Nalambalam Yatra, the pilgrims have to go to the Triprayar Sri Rama temple where they started their holy trip.
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