Historical Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple /
Koodalmanikkam Temple is a Hindu temple
which is situated in Irinjalakuda, Trissur district, Kerala state, India.
Koodalmanikyam Temple is the temple in India dedicated to the worship of
Bharata, apart from Amanakara in Palai- Thodupuzha route, the third brother of
Rama. The temple is one of four in Kerala state that form a set called
"Nalambalam", each temple dedicated to one of the four brothers in
Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Koodalmanickyam is the
Malayalam translation of the Sanskrit word Sangameswara. There is,
however, another talk about the name. One day the idol was found to
give out uncommonly bright from its forehead.
Unable to identify the source of the brightness, some brought a Quartz
(Manikyam) in the possession of Raja of Kayamkulam for comparison.
As they were comparing the brightness of the two, it is said the stone brought
from Kayamkulam mysteriously slipped from the hand and merged with the one on
the idol.The merging of two manikyamsled to the name
‘Koodalmanikyam’. Similar brightness is reported to have appeared
on the idol once again, much later in 1907.
It is perhaps the only
temple in India with Bharatha as the presiding deity.The colourful eleven-day
annual festival at the Koodalmanikyam temple is noted for the grand elephant
pageantry. The festival falls in during April or May.
The temple is surrounded
by four ponds. The largest of the four are Kuttan Kulam, located outside
the compound on the eastern side, and Kulipini Theertham, located inside the
compound. Kulipini Theertham is believed to be sanctified by the sage
Kulipini Maharshi, who held a great ritual sacrifice. Priests are allowed to
take part in the ceremonies after cleansing themselves at the "Kuttan
Kulam" outside the temple and then after taking a dip in "Kulipini
Theertham" before entering sanctum sanctorum. The pond outside the
compound located at the western side, is called "Padinjare
Kulam" and the pond outside the compound located at the southern side is
called "Thekke Kulam".
Getting there
- Nearest railway station: Irinjalakuda is about 10 km and Thrissur (Major Station of southern Railway) is about 22 km are the nearest railway stations.
- Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport is about 37 km via Salem Kanyakumari Highway.
