Shatrughna Temple, Payammal – Legends

Shatrughna Temple, Payammal – Legends

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).