Lakshmana Perumal Temple, Thirumoozhikkulam, Ernakulam – Legends

Lakshmana Perumal Temple, Thirumoozhikkulam, Ernakulam – Legends

Thirumoozhikkulam:

The mythology behind the name of this place is Haritha Maharishi did penance and meditation on the banks of river Poorna (Chalakkudy). Lord Mahavishnu got impressed by the dedication of the Maharishi and appeared before him on the beginning of the Kali yuga. Lord Vishnu gave some advice to Haritha Maharshi to overcome the difficulties in Kali yuga. These pieces of advice are called "Thiru Mozhi" meaning 'Sacred Words'. And thereafter this place got its name as "Thirumozhi kalam" – kalam means place. Later Thirumoozhikkulam became Thirumoozhikkulam.

Association with Ramayana:

This shrine is associated with legends from the Ramayana. Bharata, the brother of Rama and Lakshmana, came to invite Rama, then in exile, to take over the reins of the kingdom, an angry Lakshmana suspecting Bharata's intentions intended to kill him; however, Bharata's innocence was very soon revealed, and then the two of them offered worship together at Thirumoozhikkulam. The name Thirumoozhikkulam is said to have originated from the phrase Tiru Mozhi Kalam the site where sweet words were uttered.

Nalambalam Yatra:

Another belief is that at the end of the Dwapara Yuga, Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea and four idols of Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrughna which Lord Krishna worshipped, were also washed into the sea. Some fishermen subsequently caught these four idols near Thriprayar and they were given to Vakkay Kaimal Naduvazhi. 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 Shatrughna at Payammal. It is believed that worship at all these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious. In the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July 15 to August 15) - the Ramayana Masam, thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimage, which is popularly known as "Nalambalam Yatra" - a pilgrimage to the four temples (Nalambalam).

Lakshmana services to this Temple:

It is said that the temple’s Gopuram, Mandapam and praharam of this Sthalam are built by Lakshmana (brother of Sri Rama) and he did various services to this temple.

Ancient Centre of Learning:

According to evidences available, the place was a centre of learning. As the sacred text Sri Sukthi came into being in this place, this was a pleasant centre of research for the scholars.