Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Irinjalakuda – Legends

Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Irinjalakuda – Legends

Nalambalam Yatra:

As per legend, the deities presently worshipped in the Nalambalams were worshipped Lord Krishna in Dwaraka during the Dvapara Yuga. When Dwaraka was submerged, the idol of Rama was immersed in the sea along with the idols of his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna. Later, some fisherman went to the sea for fishing near Chettuva region of Kerala and found the idols of Rama and his brothers entangled in their fishing nets.

They brought the idols ashore and handed over to Vakkayil Kaimal who was the minister of Ayiroor Kovilagam. He consulted the astrologers and came to know about the previous history of these idols. It was decided after prasannam that the idol of Lord Rama was to be installed at Triprayar, Bharatha at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikulam and Shatrugna at Payammal.

All these four idols are those of Lord Vishnu but are referred to as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna. It is believed that worship at all these four temples on a single day in  the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam (July 15 to August 15) is considered auspicious. Thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimage, which is popularly known as Nalambalam Yatra (a pilgrimage to the four temples).

Kulipini Theertham:

As per legend, Irinjalakuda was a dense forest during ancient times. Large number of sages under Kulipini Maharshi performed a Yagna to please Lord Vishnu. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and asked for their wish. All the sages requested his eternal presence at this place. Lord Vishnu readily agreed their request. Then, the sages prayed to Ganga to bless the place with her presence. Pleased with their prayers, Ganga sprung up in the place. The sages immersed in the sacred waters of Ganga and attained salvation.

The presence of Ganga is believed to continue in the Kulipini Theertham named after the Kulipini Maharshi. The Kulipini Theertham is situated on the northern side of the temple, and it is believed to be as sacred as the sanctum. Water snakes, frogs etc. commonly found in most temple tanks are totally absent here. Only fish grow freely and feeding them is considered to be of holy.  The water for preparation of neivedyam is taken form this tank only. Archakas after bath at the outside pond, Kuttan Kulam have to take a dip in Kulipini Theertham before entering the sanctum.

Sangameswara:

As per legend, a saintly person from Tali Parambu was on a strange mission of collecting the energy of the idols of all important temples in Kerala for being transferred to the idol of the temple in his village. He entered into the sanctum of the temples he visited and transferred the energy of the idol into the conch in his possession. When he tried the same in Irinjalakuda he accidentally fell down and the conch was broken. Thus, the energy of the deities stored in the conch was instantly transferred to the idol at Irinjalakuda. Thus, the idol in which the energy of the other deities got merged came to be called as Sangameswara. The Namboodiri Brahmins associated with the temple still make all their Sevas in the name of Shiva, Vishnu and Devi at Sangameswara shrine itself.

Koodalmanikyam:

As per legend, one day, the idol emitted an uncommon bright light from its forehead. Unable to identify the source of the brightness, a Quartz (Manikyam) was brought from the Raja of Kayamkulam to compare the brightness with the uncommon light emanating from the idol. As they were comparing the brightness of the two, it is said the stone brought from the raja of Kayamkulam mysteriously slipped from the hand and merged into the light from the idol. The merging of two manikyams led to the name Koodalmanikyam. Similar brightness is reported to have appeared on the idol once again, much later in 1907.

A goldsmith from Tamil Nadu got cure of his stomach pain here:

As per legend, a gold smith from Tamilnadu came to this temple to worship Lord to get relief from his stomach pain. As per the custom prevalent at the time, he was not allowed to enter the sanctum. However, he started worshipping the Lord by singing hymns in praise of the Lord at the foot of the flagstaff. When the then Thachudaya Kaimal heard that he was an expert goldsmith, he was sent for and asked to make the Angi in gold for the Lord. At that time. only Thirumugam was made of gold. The goldsmith had no opportunity even to have a look at the idol let alone take measurements. Yet when the Angi was done in gold as per measurements given to him, it was found to be perfectly fitting the idol. The goldsmith did not take any remuneration. But the Lord amply compensated by totally relieving him of his stomach pain.

Brinjal Neivedyam:

Once, an aged devotee suffering from chronic stomach pain did bhajan in praise of Lord at this temple. He had a dream at the night in which Lord appeared before him and advised him to pluck 101 brinjals from his garden and offer the same as neivedya to him. As instructed, the aged devotee did and was totally relieved of the stomach pain. From then on, brinjal neivedyam became a special neivedyam at this temple. Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar having heard the curative effect of Brinjal Nivedya visited the temple in 1972 and made an offering of Brinjal Naivedhya. Since then, he was relieved of a stomach pain he was suffering for quite a long period.

Arattu:

Irinjalakuda is believed to have been situated at the confluence of two rivers during ancient time. The Lord at the confluence of the rivers are commonly referred as Sangameswara. Though, the two rivers namely Kurumali river and Chalakudy river have changed course and Irinjalakuda is no longer on any river bank, Arattu (the holy dip of the idol at the close of the Annual Festival), is held alternatively in these two rivers suggesting a previous connection with these rivers.