Koodalmanickyam Temple(kerala)

Koodalmanickyam 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 uncommonly bright effulgence from its forehead.    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 two manikyams led to the name ‘Koodalmanikyam’.   Similar brightness is reported to have appeared on the idol once again, much later in 1907.

The Temple A straight stretch of 150 meters from Irinjalakuda Municipal Bus Station takes you to the Temple.  The eastern gate way (Gopuram) is an impressive structure in the typical Kerala style of architecture with tiled roof and white washed walls.   Numerous carvings are embedded into the front wall of the gateway.   From the Gopuram you enter the outer quadrangle.  The Temple is situated inside a well walled up ten-acre plot with attractive gateways on the East, South and West.   The huge porches on the Eastern and Western approach ways to the inner temple can accommodate not less than twenty-one elephants.  The Sanctum Sanctorum is round shaped and is covered with copper plates.   A six-foot Thaazhikakudam at the pinnacle adds to the beauty and majesty of the total temple complex.   On the Southern courtyard is the well-known Koothambalam, the Natyagruha for Koothu and Koodiyattom.

Historical References  The earliest historical reference to Koodalmanikyam Temple is found in a stone inscription attributed to the Chera king Stanu Ravi Varman dated 854 A.D, donating vast extents of land for the Temple.   It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that the Temple must have been in existence for quite some time before this date and that even then Koodalmanickyam was occupying a place of importance among the temples of Kerala.   Another Cheraman Perumal  Bhaskara Ravi Varma has donated vast lands at Potta near Chalakudy to the Temple.  The Temple was in the domain of the erstwhile Maharaja of Cochin; but the administration was under a person designated as Thachudaya Kaimal appointed by the Maharaja of Travancore.   In 1971, the Government of Kerala, through a special order, took over the administration of the Temple.  A Committee appointed from time to time by the Government of Kerala now manages the Temple.     The Chairman of the Committee is the District Collector, Thrissur.   The Chief Executive of the Devaswom is the Administrator not below the rank of a Deputy Collector deputed by the Government as the Secretary of the Committee.

Art and Architecture  Koodalmanikyam Temple is a marvel in architectural beauty.  The impressive gateways, round shaped Sanctum Sactorum, the majestic Koothambalam and the Carvings in wood and stone on the walls all attract students of Art and Architecture.  The murals on the walls on either side of the Eastern entry to Chuttambalam also deserve special mention.  The Temple had also been an important centre of nourishment of the Temple Arts like Kathakali, Koothu, Koodiyattom and Thullal.    Koothambalam stage had the rare fortune to witness historic stage shows by the masteros of Ammannoor Chakyar family.   Unnai Warrier, the author of Nalacharitam was a native of Irinjalakuda and an ardent devotee of Sangamewara.   He has also composed a Sanskrit poem – Sree Rama Pancha Sathi that is an abridged version of Ramayana in fifty dasakas dedicated to Lord Sangameswara

Thriputhari on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Thulam (October-November) is an important occasion in the Temple.  It is a day of feasting when the newly harvested rice is first cooked and offered to diety and then is partaken of by the devotees.  The day after the feast, there is a special offering called Mukkudi, which is considered to be a divine medicine for all ailments.  Mukkudi is an Ayurvedic mixture, the formula of which being prescribed by Kuttancherry Mooss, one of the Ashtavaidyas.
The Annual Festival of the Temple held for 11 days in April-May is a well-known popular event in central Kerala.   The festival starts one day after the famous Thrissur Pooram and comes to a close on the next Thiruvonam day.   Thousands of people throng the place during the festival to witness the pageant of colour, music, Orchestra and Fine Arts; the like of which cannot be seen anywhere in Kerala or outside.   Brahmakalasam strictly following the Vedic and Tantric rituals are offered to the diety on 11 days in connection with the Festival.  This is the unique feature of this temple.
Koodalmanikyam Temple is situated at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur District of Kerala.  Irinjalakuda is 18 Km west of Chalakudy in NH 47 and 9 Km East of Moonnupeedika in NH 17.  It is 23 Km south of Thrissur and 16 Km north of Kodungallur. How to Reach Koodalmanikyam temple is 45 Km away from International   Airport at Kochi.  One has to travel 31 Km in NH 47 towards Thrissur and after Chalakudy-Potta Junction take diversion westwards in State Highway 60.    If travel is by rail there is a Railway Station at Irinjalakuda.   The town is 9 Km away from the Railway Station.   Those who prefer public transport by Road have the following options:- From Kochi travel by KSRTC Bus to Chalakudy and get a private Bus from there.  Pilgrims from Palakkad side may come to Thrissur.  Buses are available at every 5 minutes from Thrissur to Kodungallur.  All such busses pass through Irinjalakuda.  If travel is by NH 17, those who come from Kozhikkode side may get down at Moonnupeedika and take a private Bus from there. Those who come from the south via NH 17 may get down at Kodungallur and catch Kodungallur-Thrissur Bus and get down at Irinjalakuda.  Pilgrims who wish to worship Kodungallur, Koodalmanikyam, Thriprayar and Guruvayoor in one trip can do so without considerable extra running The Administrator Koodalmanickyam Devaswom Irinjalakuda – 680 121 Kerala- India Phone : - 0480 –2826631 e-mail : contact@koodalmanikyam.com