Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple — Attraction in Kerala

As if beckoning from across the waters, the Thriprayar Sri Rama temple on the banks of the river Theevra, is uniquely mesmerizing in many aspects.

Situated in Thrissur’s Thriprayar, the idol of Lord Rama, also endearingly known as Thriprayarappan or Thriprayar Thevar has four arms bearing a conch, a disc, a bow and a garland.

About the Idol of Shri Ram: The idol of Lord Rama was initially worshipped by Lord Krishna at Dwaraka. After the swargarohana of Lord Krishna the idol was immersed in the sea. Later some fishermen got the idol from the sea near Chettuva region of Kerala, and the local ruler Vakkayil Kaimal constructed a temple at Triprayar and installed the idol. The image of Rama (Triprayar Thevar) resembles the Chaturbhuja Vishnu form with four arms, bearing a conch (Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda) and a garland respectively. It is believed that the deity worshipped here possesses some of the aspects of Shiva too. It was after killing the asura, Khara that Sri Rama got both the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects. Thus, Triprayar Thevar is also called Khara Samhara Moorthy. It is also believed that the portrayal of Rama with a garland held in the image's hand is also suggestive of aspects of Bhrahma and hence the deity is said to be a manifestation of the Trimoorthis. The idol of Sree Rama is adorned with necklaces and other jewelry.

Rich architecture; Triprayar temple is rich in wood carvings. The sreekovil or karpagriham is circular in shape with a copper covered conical roof. The sanctum has several sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana Its walls are decorated with beautiful Kerala mural paintings. The namaskara mandapa is copper plated and has 24 panels of woodcarvings representing Navagrahas.

Meenootu: Feeding the fishes in Purayar river in front of the temple, after getting a token from the temple is a custom here. It is believed that the fishes are the pets of Triprayar Thevar and feeding them will please Him. This custom called 'Meen Oottu' (Feeding the Fish) is believed to reduce Asthma and for improving their health. Visiting Nalambalams in the month of Karkidakam (July-August) is considered as sacred and known as Nalambala-yathra which is becoming popular as Pilgrimage Tourism.

One among Naalambalam: Thriprayar Thevar is also the presiding deity of the Devamela, the oldest temple festival in the Indian subcontinent, also known as the Arattupuzha Pooram. The golden thazhikakudam, conical copper roof of the sanctum and the copper-plated namaskara mandapam are also worth mentioning. The temple is one among the ‘Naalambalam’, each dedicated to the four brothers with Rama at Thriprayar, Bharata at Koodalmanikyam, Lakshmana at Thirumoozhikkulam and Shatrughnan at Payammel.

How to Reach Located at a distance of 22km from Thrissur town, the temple is easily accessible. By Road Thriprayar Bus Stand, about 1 kn

By Rail Irinjalakuda Railway Station, about 25 km

By Air Cochin International...

Triprayar temple is situated on the bank of river Theevra. Theevra river is also called Purayar. Hence this place got the name Thirupurayar (sacred river) and later became Triprayar. There is an interesting legend about the origin of this river. Lord Mahavishnu during his Vamana incarnation visited this place while going to Thrikkakkara and he found no water to wash his legs as the whole place was dry and desolate. Vamana took the water from his kamandalu (a small round vessel used by hindu sages to carry water) and poured the water to wash his legs, that source of water never went dry but kept on flowing as the Thiru Purayar or the Thriprayar (river of divine source) as it is called now. Purayar is also called Sreepriya river and Nandiyar.

Sree Rama Vigraha(Idol) Prathishta and Naranathu Bhranthan

Out of the four idols discovered by fisher men, the Sree Rama idol was the most important. Vakkayil Kaimal decided to install it in Triprayar. It is said that when the image of Rama was discovered and was about to be consecrated, it was divinely ordained that a peacock would appear and mark the exact time for installation. Kaimal and his men waited for a long time for the peacock but it didn't appeared. Apparently the Tanthri (chief priest) installed the idol when a devotee bearing peacock feathers appeared. Soon after the installation the peacock appeared in front of the Sreekovil. It is said that the priests and Kaimal regretted their decision later and to make up for this deficiency the sacrificial stone or the valiya balikkallu was installed at the spot marked by the peacock. Hence the balikkal is said to have the same importance as the deity itself. But this sacrificial stone showed a tendency to spin on its axis. It was Naranathu Bhranthan who fixed it at the spot by hammering a nail through it amidst the chanting of mantras. A mark of a nail can still be seen gives credence to this belief.

In order to prevent any decline in the power of the idol on account of the change in its location Naranathu Bhranthan also arranged to install two goddesses on either side of the deity-Sree Devi on the right and Bhumi Devi on the left.

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar's Role

Another legend says that it was Vilwamangalm Swamiyar, who is associated with several temples of Kerala, installed the Sree Devi and Bhumi Devi images and shut the Western doors of the temple. One day Swamiyar reached this temple and offered prayers to Lord Rama. During his pooja he noticed that Sree Devi and Bhumi Devi were entering the temple from the western gateway to offer prayers to the Lord. In order to set right the fault in location of the idol he requested them to stay inside the sreekovil. The Goddesses agreed and later Swamiyar installed Sree Devi and Bhumi Devi idols on either side of Rama. He then closed the western doors and left the temple. The western doors of the temple remain...

A major Sreerama swami temple which is famous equally to Thiruvillvamala Sreerama swami temple in kerala. Place: Thriprayar, Thrissur District of Kerala. Deity: Lord Sreeraman with four arms, holding Conch (Sanghu), Chakra, Club (Gada) and garland, is positioned in circular shaped Sreekovil (sanctum). Direction:Eastwards Subdeities: Ganapathi, Sasthavu, Dakshinamoorthy, Gosalakrishnan. Outside in another temple Hanuman and Subrahmanian. Thriprayar Deity (Lord Sreeraman) is presiding the the famous Arattupuzha pooram at Arattupuzha Sastha temple. No flag post (kotimaram), and hence no festival with hoisting of temple flag in this temple. Instead, Thriprayar ekadasi (on ekadasi of month vrichikam) is celebrated as festival and Atham day of month edavam as prathishta day (day of placing idol). Now this temple is very famous for Nalambala darsanam (four temples visit) along with three other near by temples of Sreerama's brothers, Bharathan (Koodalmanickyam Irinjalakuda), Lakshmanan (Moozhikkulam) and Sathrugnan (Payammel) in one stretch, during the month Karkkidakam (celebrated as Ramayana month in kerala). Also, our Prime minister Shri. Narendra modi's recent visit here prior to Ayodhya temple opening triggered the devotees' aspiration to visit this temple. Location/Travel: By the side of NH66 in it's stretch between Kodungalloor and Guruvayur around 25kms from Guruvayur. The entry arch of temple is visible from the high way at Thriprayar. No rail connectivity to Thriprayar, hence to get down the nearby Trissur station and from Thrissur around 22kms to the temple through road. Karuvannur river is flowing in front of the temple. Fish feeding (meenoot) in front of the temple in the river is considered as a special vazhipadu. History: The present idol was obtained from sea by some fishermen and they handed over it to the then Kovilakam/Temple authority Vakkayil Kaimal (around 700years back). Vazhipadu: Apart from the regular vazhipadu of all temples, Veti vazhipadu, Filling Para, Fish feeding etc. Facility: Temple parking ground can accomodate few vehicles only. Pay and park is available near by. Good veg hotels are available nearby and in Thriprayar jn.

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