Nalambala Darshanam: Devotees Flock To Kerala Temples For Annual Pilgrimage

The Nalambala Darshanam is a seasonal pilgrimage where devotees visit temples dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrugna on the same day during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Nalambalam is a Malayalam word, where Nalu means four and Ambalam means temple. The most famous of these temples are the four which are located in the Thrissur district of Kerala- Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple and Payyammal Shathrughna Temple.

Another place where temples of all the four brothers are located is Ramapuram, Kottayam. The four temples in central Kerala often witness throngs of devotees during the holy month of Karkidakam. The temples are Ramapuram Sree Ramaswamy Temple, Koodappulam Sree Lakshmanaswamy Temple, Amanakara Sree Bharathaswamy Temple, and Methiri Sree Sathrughnaswamy Temple.

In the Ernakulam district of the state, the Nalambalam circuit consists of four temples namely – Mammalassery Sreeramaswami Temple, Memmury Sree Bharata Swami Temple(Bharatapilly), Mulakkulam Lakshmana Swami Temple (located on the border of Kottayam and Ernakulam) and Nedungaattu Sree Shatrugna Swami Temple(Mammalassery). If you travel to Malappuram, you will find yet another set which consists of Ramapuram Sreeramaswami Temple, Karinchapadi-Chirammal Sree Bharatha Swami Temple, Vattallur Chovvana Panangangara Lakshmana Swami Temple, and Naranathu Shatrughna Swami Temple.

The fifth and final set of Nalambalam is in the Kannur district. This circuit consists of Neerveli Sree Ramaswamy Temple, Elayavoor Sree Bharatha Swamy Temple, Perinjeri Sri Vishnu (Lakshmana) Temple, and Payam Sri Mahavishu (Shatrughna) Temple.

Generally, the pilgrimage begins with a visit to a temple dedicated to Lord Ram and ends at Shatrughn Temple. As per the customs, devotees must visit the four temples in the order of Lord Ram, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughn, respectively. It is believed that when devotees do so, they will be showered with blessings and prosper. Apart from that, one can also get relief from ailments and ‘doshas’ when the Sun enters the Cancer zodiac sign. Nalambala darshan is considered to be equal to reciting the epic Ramayan once.

The idols worshipped by Lord Krishna in the Dvapara Yuga have been installed in these temples. It is believed that these idols had disappeared when Dwarka got submerged in the sea. But after a very long time, these idols were retrieved by a few people in Kerala and later installed in these temples.