Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India dedicated to
Bharat, the brother of
Lord Ram. It is located 21 km from
Thrissur,
Kerala. The sanctum is believed to have the presence of all godly powers and hence the name Koodalmanikyam - Koodal means 'joining together'. The temple is surrounded by four vast ponds called 'Kulipini
Teertham'.
A widely believed story about this temple is that the idols of Ram and his three brothers where brought from the sea coast by one Vakkayil kaimal. He then placed the idol of Ram in Thriprayar, that of Bharat at Irinjalakuda,Lakshman in Moozhikulam and Shatrughna in Payammal.
The annual festival of the temple is in April/May every year with a display of twelve caparisoned elephants. This festival marks the end of the Hindu festival season in Kerala. The temple has a Koothambalam, where traditional temple art forms like Koothu and Koodiyattam are performed. Thamara Mala (Lotus garland) is the main offering to the lord which is believed to have the power to destroy all evils and prevent heavy rains during auspicious occasions like marriage and other celebrations. The temple timings are 03:30 to 11:30 hrs and 17:00 to 20:30 hrs.
