Considered to be the only temple in India that is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the elder brother of Lord Ram in the legendary epic Ramayana, the Koodal Manikyam Temple at Irinjalakuda is located around 20km from Thrissur Town. 

One of Kerala’s most well known temples, it is believed to have been built around the 15th century. Surrounded by the embrace of lush greenery and the charm of temple ponds, this temple has a soothing, calm aura that has been a solace to generations of devotees. 

A colossal structure, the temple has grand gateways, a magnificent koothambalam (temple theatre), a circular sanctum sanctorum noted for its copper plated roof and exquisitely intricate wood and stone carvings on its walls. The eastern side of the entrance to the Chuttambalam has mural paintings on either side adding to its charm. The eastern Gopuram of the temple, which is a massive structure, is protected as a monument by the Department of Archeology. There is also a six-foot thazhikakudom (finial) at the temple. The artistic and structural features of this temple that is an ideal example of the classic Kerala style of architecture have made it a hotspot for historians and archeologists as well.

Another notable feature of this temple that makes it unique is that there is only a single deity here. The deity, Lord Bharata, is believed to be powerful in healing even fatal diseases. The lotus, holy basil and the West Indian jasmine are the only three flowers that are offered to the deity here. 

An interesting custom followed by devotees is the Nalambala Darshana, a yearly pilgrimage that comprises visiting all four shrines, each of which is dedicated to Lord Rama and his three brothers (Bharata, Lakshmana, and Sathrughna). The three other temples that are a part of the said four are the Triprayar Sree Rama Temple, Payammel Sathrughna Temple and the Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple. This ritual is held every year during Karkidakam which falls from mid-July to mid-August. 

The annual festival of the Koodal Manikyam Temple is 11 days long and is renowned for its vibrant elephant pageantry with 13 caparisoned elephants. The festival is conducted every year during the months April/May and marks the end of the temple festival season in Kerala each year.

While the origin of the temple is largely shrouded in mystery, there are many who believe that this temple once belonged to Jains and was taken over by the Hindus only with the descent of Jainism years ago. The temple is situated barely 10km away from the Irinjalakuda railway station and is therefore easy to access. 

Every evening as the sun sets the temple’s ancient walls echo the prayers of its devotees and the blessings bestowed. As every devotee departs with a lighter heart and a mind more at ease, unknowing to them they hold within themselves a bit of the temple’s timeless magic. The Irinjalakuda Koodal Manikyam Temple is a reminder that even in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations there still stand sanctuaries of solace, peace and divine grace.

Temple Timings: 03:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. | 05:00 P.M. - 08:30 P.M.