Rama Temple, Thriprayar – The Temple

Rama Temple, Thriprayar – The Temple

The temple was built in a typical Kerala temple architectural style and is rich in wood carvings. The temple has a small cement compound wall on the east side bordering Thirupuraiyar River. The compound wall in the western and southern side are massive. Oottupura is situated on the north side of the temple. The gopuram is situated on the northside. There is no flag post (Kodimaram) and hence there is no kodiyetram ritual during festivals in the temple.

The Sreekovil is circular in shape with a copper covered conical roof and is surmounted by a golden Thazhikakkudam. The circular sanctum has several sculptures depicting the scenes from Ramayana. The walls of the Sreekovil are decorated with beautiful mural paintings. There are wooden sculptures below the paintings. There are granite sculptures on the sides of the Sopanam structure. The namaskara mandapa is situated in front of the Sreekovil (sanctum).

It is copper-plated and is profusely decorated with panels of wood carvings representing navagrahas. The sanctum enshrines the image of presiding deity Rama / Triprayar Appan / Triprayar Thevar. The image resembles the Chaturbhuja Vishnu form with four arms, bearing a conch (Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda) and a garland respectively. Images of his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi can be seen on either side. The original idol of Rama was severely eroded with the passage of time.

Hence, the idol is covered with a panchaloha coat to avoid further erosion. A lamp behind the idol is always kept burning and devotees believe that they get relief from troubled evil spirits. There is an image of Dakshinamoorthy in the sanctum facing towards south. Dakshinamoorthy is commonly found in Shiva temples. The temple also has Chuttambalam, mukha mandapam, and a balikallu which is slight away from the front side of the sanctum sanctorum.

There is no separate shrine for Lord Hanuman in the temple premises. However, it is believed that his presence is always there at the Namaskara mandapam in front of the Sreekovil (sanctum) of the temple. Devotees generally bow before the mandapa imagining the presence of Hanuman in the mandapam before worshipping Lord Rama. There are two shrines for Ganapathy inside the Nalambalam.

One of the shrine is facing towards south and situated near the south door of the sanctum. Another shrine is facing towards east and situated at the south-west corner of the Nalambalam. There is a shrine for Ayyappan in the southern side of the courtyard outside the Nalambalam. It is believed that this shrine is ancient than the Rama temple. The new temple was built near the Ayyappa shrine after the arrival of Rama idol.

Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the important festivals of central Kerala. Lord Ayyappa of this temple also participated in this pooram before the installation of Lord Rama. Except Triprayar Thevar, all other participants in this pooram are Sasthas and Bhagavathys of different temples. This also points to the prominence of Shastha shrine. There is an east facing shrine for Goshala Krishna in the north of Chuttambalam in the outer courtyard.

The temple have a Nalambalam in traditional goshala form. There is mention about this temple in earlier Sandesa kavyas. The sacred river, Thirupuraiyar River flows in front of the temple. There is a nadapura and small Ayyappa temple situated between the river and the main temple. Triprayar Devaswom Satram, a small shelter for the pilgrims is available near the temple. It is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board.

There is a temple dedicated to Avanangattu Chathan situated near to this temple. Avanangattu Chathan is believed to be the son of Triprayar Thevar. When the deity in Triprayar goes to participate in Arattupuzha Pooram, He takes Avanangattu Chathan along with him. There is also a belief that Avanangattu Chathan was a deity who travelled along with Triprayar Sri Rama as a helper.