Nalambalam Tozhal or Nalamabala darshanam involves visiting the four temples dedicated to Rama,Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrughna in that order. It is said that it is best to do the Nalambalam tozhal during the month of Karkkidakam(Mid of July to Mid of August). It is widely believed that Nalambala darshanam done during the month of Karkkidakam (visiting all the four temples on the same day) in the proper order will wash away all the sins.
One of the stories associated with Nalambalam is that at the end of the Dwapara Yuga, Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea and four idols of Sreerama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrukhna which Lord Sree Krishna worshipped, were also washed into the sea. Some fishermen caught these four idols near Thriprayar and they were given to Naduvazhi Vakkay Kaimal. Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream. Rama at Thriprayar, Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and Sathrughna at Payammal.
Thriprayar Ramaswamy temple
This is the first temple one should visit to start the Nalambalam pilgrimage. As the name suggests it is dedicated to Lord Rama. Menoottu(feeding the fish) is one of the main offerings here.
If coming from Eranakulam, one can take the Kodungalloor- Guruvayoor route to reach Thriprayar.
Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple
The next temple to visit is the Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, its nearby and takes hardly around 30 minutes from Thriprayar Temple. Payammal Shatrukhna Temple which should be the last temple to visit is actually near to Koodalmanikyam, but as we had made up our mind to visit the temples in the proper order, we next went to Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshamana Perumal Temple.
ThiruMoozhikkulam Sree Lakshmana Perumal Temple
It takes more than an hour to travel from Koodalmanikyam to Thirumoozhikulam.
The myth behind the name of this place is Hareetha Maharshi did penance and meditation on the banks of river Poorna(Periyar). Lord Mahavishnu got impressed by the dedication of the Maharshi and appeared before him on the beginning of the Kali yuga. Lord Vishnu gave some advices to Hareetha Maharshi to overcome the difficulties in Kali yuga. These advices are called "thiru mozhi" meaning sacred words. And there after this place got its name as "thirumozhi kalam" – kalam means place. Later Thirumozhikkalam became Thirumoozhikkulam.
One of the stories associated with Nalambalam is that at the end of the Dwapara Yuga, Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea and four idols of Sreerama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrukhna which Lord Sree Krishna worshipped, were also washed into the sea. Some fishermen caught these four idols near Thriprayar and they were given to Naduvazhi Vakkay Kaimal. Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream. Rama at Thriprayar, Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and Sathrughna at Payammal.
Thriprayar Ramaswamy temple
This is the first temple one should visit to start the Nalambalam pilgrimage. As the name suggests it is dedicated to Lord Rama. Menoottu(feeding the fish) is one of the main offerings here.
If coming from Eranakulam, one can take the Kodungalloor- Guruvayoor route to reach Thriprayar.
Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple
The next temple to visit is the Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, its nearby and takes hardly around 30 minutes from Thriprayar Temple. Payammal Shatrukhna Temple which should be the last temple to visit is actually near to Koodalmanikyam, but as we had made up our mind to visit the temples in the proper order, we next went to Thirumoozhikulam Sree Lakshamana Perumal Temple.
ThiruMoozhikkulam Sree Lakshmana Perumal Temple
It takes more than an hour to travel from Koodalmanikyam to Thirumoozhikulam.
The myth behind the name of this place is Hareetha Maharshi did penance and meditation on the banks of river Poorna(Periyar). Lord Mahavishnu got impressed by the dedication of the Maharshi and appeared before him on the beginning of the Kali yuga. Lord Vishnu gave some advices to Hareetha Maharshi to overcome the difficulties in Kali yuga. These advices are called "thiru mozhi" meaning sacred words. And there after this place got its name as "thirumozhi kalam" – kalam means place. Later Thirumozhikkalam became Thirumoozhikkulam.
Payammal Sree Shathrukhna swaami Temple
This is the last temple to visit as part of the Nalambala Darshanam. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shatrughna, the youngest brother of Lord Rama. This temple is also the smallest of the four temples. It is considered best if we can complete the nalambala darshanam by worshipping the deeparadhana here in the evening.
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