A look at the Nalambalams near Piravom – Ernakulam District. Nalambalam darshanam, or visit of four temples in a day, dedicated to the four brothers of Ramayana – Sri Rama Swami, Sri Bharata Swami, Sri Lakshmana Swamy and Sri Shatrughna Swami – is an important pilgrimage in Kerala. There are five different sets of Nalambalam Darshanam in Kerala.
The four temples that are part of the Piravom Nalambalam are:
- Mamalassery Sree Rama Swamy Temple
- Memurry or Bharathappilly Bharatha Swamy Temple
- Mulakulam Sri Lakshmana Swamy Temple
- Malasseri Nedungad Shatrughna Swamy Temple
Mamalassery Sree Rama Swamy Temple
Mamalassery Sree Rama Swamy Temple is one of the oldest temples in Ernakulam District. The temple is located at Ramamangalam on the banks of Muvattupuzha river.
It is believed that Sri Rama shot demon Maricha who was in the form a deer in this place.
5:30 AM to 10:00 AM
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
4:00 AM to 1:00 PM
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Memury or Bharathappilly Bharatha Swamy Temple
It is said here that Bharatha and Shatrughan went to the forest in search of Sri Rama after Rama left Ayodhya for Vanvas. During their search, Bharata and Shatrughna got separated and lost their way. Bharathappilly was the place where Bharatha reached and stayed. The people who resided in the region treated Bharata as there and king and the temple is located in the spot where Bharata resided.
Memmury Temple is about 4 kms from Sree Ramaswami Temple, Mammalassery.
5:30 AM to 9:00 AM
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Ramayana Masam - Karkidakam month (mid July to mid August)
4:30 AM to 1:00 PM
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Mulakulam Lakshmana Swamy Temple
The murti in the temple is the Sheeveli Vigraha that was brought from Thirumoozhikkulam temple to Karimalakottu Moosath. The Moosathu was an ardent devotees of Lakshmana Swamy and the murti was brought here for darshan but was never returned back.
The temple is around 8 km from Mulakulam Sri Lakshmana Swamy Temple.
Regular Temple Timing
5:30 AM to 9:00 AM
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Ramayana Masam - Karkidakam month (mid July to mid August)
4:30 AM to 1:00 PM
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Malasseri Nedungad Shatrughna Swamy Temple
It is said here that Bharatha and Shatrughan went to the forest in search of Sri Rama after Rama left Ayodhya for Vanvas. During their search, Bharata and Shatrughna got separated and lost their way. Sathrugnan went deep into the forest and the people of the area called him Nedum Kattu Thevar and constructed a temple for him.
The original murti was shifted to Mammalassery as the owner of the place could not maintain the temple. But later it was discovered that the Chaitanyam still resided in the same temple. A temple was constructed in the same spot again.
Regular Temple Timing
Karkidaka month or Ramayana Masam the temple is open on all days.
Temple timing during Ramayana Masam:
6:30 AM to 1:00 PM
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The temple is around 12 km from Bharathappilly Bharata Swamy Temple.
Nalamabalam darshan ends with the devotees returning back to Mammalassery Sri Ramaswamy Temple which is around 1.5 km from Shatrughna Swamy Temple.