Koodalmanikyam Temple is a Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda Municipality, Thrissur district, Kerala, India .The temple comprises a main structure, a walled compound with citadels, and four ponds around the main structure one of which is within the walls. Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only ancient temple in India dedicated to the worship of Lord Bharata, the second brother of Rama, however the idol is that of god Vishnu.
The temple has single Prathista and the deity holds chakra, conch, Gada and Japamala in each of the four hands. Most of the temples in Kerala has place for Lord Ganesha but this temple does not have place for him. This temple is believed to be built even before 15th century.
The architecture of the Irinjalakuda Koodal Manikyam temple is outstanding where one can watch the charm of Kerala Vasthuvidya. It is among the largest temples in the state with golden dwaja and pancha prakaras. The temple houses everything as per the Vasthu like Gopuram, Anakottil in the entry ways of east and west, sreekovil, Nalambalam / Valiyambalam, koothambalam, Vilakkumadam and namaskaramandapam. One can understand the glory of the temple by watching its golden flag mast, golden thazhikakkudams and copper-covered namaskaramandapm and sreekovil. Unlike other Kerala temples, it has no balikkalpura.
There are four ponds that are located in and around the temple. The largest of the four are Kuttan Kulam, located outside the compound on the eastern side, and Kulipini Theertham, located inside the compound. Kulipini Theertham is believed to be sanctified by the sage Kulipini Maharishi, who held a great ritual sacrifice, a yajna, at the spot. Water from this source is used for rituals and ceremonies within the temple.Priests are allowed to take part in the ceremonies after clensing themselves at the “Kuttan Kulam” outside the temple and then have to take a dip in “Kulipini Theertham” before entering Sanctum Sanctorum. The pond outside the compound located at the western side is called “Padinjare Kulam” and the pond outside the compound located at the southern side is called “Thekke Kulam”. These three water bodies constitute a significant area as much as the size of the temple itself. Except “Kulipini Theertham” the other three water bodies are open to the public.
The temple holds its chief annual festival for ten days each year in the month of Medam (April/May). The first day of the festival is calculated by the appearance of the Uthram asterism and signified by hoisting a ceremonial flag. (The start day falls one day after the famous Thrissur Pooram festival in nearby Thrissur.)
Each day of the festival, a seeveli (procession of caparisoned temple elephants) is held twice, once in the morning and once at night, to the accompaniment of Panchari melam (sacred music). Seventeen elephants take part. Two features of the seeveli are unique to the Koodalmanikyam Temple: first that two baby elephants are included in the procession, one standing on each side of the elephant carrying the deity. Second, while the headdresses (‘Netti pattam’ in Malayalam) of seven elephants are made of pure gold, the rest are made of pure silver. The last two days of the festival feature Panchavadyam (sacred music from an orchestra of five instruments), and the festival ends at the Thiruvonam asterism.
Irinjalakuda Koodal Manikyam temple promotes several temple arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Thullal and Koothu. Most of the temples in the state have the custom to perform five poojas and three seevelis in a day. This temple carries out only three poojas but no seevelis. Unlike other Hindu temples, this temple also has no Usha pooja, Deeparadhana and Pantheeradi Puja. In fact, this is the only temple in Kerala that does not carries Deeparadhana. Devotees from different parts of Kerala and beyond visit the Koodal Manikyam Temple to seek blessings and participate in the temple’s religious and cultural activities.
