Koodalmaanikyam Bharatha Temple

Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple – Temples in Kerala

Koodalmanikyam Temple, nestled in Irinjalakuda of Thrissur district, is a sacred and unique shrine where Lord Bharata, the noble brother of Sri Rama, is worshipped with great devotion. Surrounded by serene ponds and encircled by majestic walls, the temple radiates an ancient charm and divine tranquility. Though dedicated to Bharata, the idol enshrined here represents Lord Vishnu, also lovingly known as Sangameshwara—the Lord of the Confluence. The sanctity of the temple, its architectural beauty, and the spiritual calm it bestows upon every devotee make it a rare and blessed abode of worship.
Koodalmanikyam is the only ancient temple in India devoted to Lord Bharata, making it an exceptional place of reverence. It forms part of the sacred Nalambalam Yatra, along with the temples of Rama, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, where devotees seek blessings from all four brothers of the Ramayana. To stand within its divine precincts is to feel joy, peace, and harmony, as the temple exudes the happiness of brotherly love, dharma, and devotion. Every visit to Koodalmanikyam fills the heart with bliss, reminding one of the eternal bond between the Ramayana brothers and the grace of the Divine.
Koodalmanikyam is the Malayalam translation of the Sanskrit word Sangameswara. There is, however, another folklore about the name. One day the idol was found to give out uncommon brightness from its forehead. Beaing 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 the two manikyams led to the name ‘Koodalmanikyam’. Similar brightness is reported to have appeared on the idol once again, much later in 1907.

Rituals and Poojas:
In most temples of Kerala, the customary practice is to perform five pujas and three sivelis daily. However, at Koodalmanikyam Temple, only three pujas are conducted, and there are no sivelis. This shrine does not observe usha puja or pantheeradi puja. The deity is taken out in a ceremonial procession only during the annual festival. Interestingly, there is no deepa-aradhana here, making it the only temple in Kerala without this ritual.
For the puja, neither sticks nor camphor are used. The floral offerings are limited exclusively to lotus, tulasi (ocimum sanctum), and thechi (ixora). These flowers are not cultivated within the temple premises, yet no other flower is ever accepted for worship or garland-making. Among these offerings, the lotus garland holds special significance, as it is an important nivedyam to the deity, and each garland must contain no fewer than 101 lotus flowers.

Temple Ponds:
There are four ponds situated in and around the temple. Among them, the largest are Kuttan Kulam, located outside the compound on the eastern side, and Kulipini Theertham, located within the compound. Kulipini Theertham is believed to have been sanctified by the sage Maharishi Kulipini, who is said to have performed a great yajna (ritual sacrifice) at this spot. The water from this sacred pond is used for various rituals and ceremonies inside the temple.
Before participating in temple ceremonies, priests cleanse themselves first at Kuttan Kulam outside the temple and then take a ritual dip in Kulipini Theertham before entering the sanctum sanctorum. Another pond outside the western side of the compound is called Padinjare Kulam, while the one to the south is known as Thekke Kulam. Together, these three ponds, along with Kulipini Theertham, cover an area almost as extensive as the temple itself. Except for Kulipini Theertham, which is reserved for rituals, the other three ponds are open to the public.

Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple – Temples in Kerala

Main Deity:

Bharata, Lord Vishnu

Location:

Irinjalakuda

District:

Thrissur

State:

Kerala

Ownership:

Travancore Devaswom Board

Established on:

Before 854 A.D.

Nearest Bus Stand:

Irinjalakuda Municipal Bus Stand

Nearest Railway Station:

Irinjalakuda Railway Station (Station Code: IJK)

Nearest Airport:

Cochin International Airport (COK) - Nedumbassery

Important Festival:

Annual Festival of the Temple

Important Months:

April-May

Website: