Sri Moozhikkalathaan Perumal Temple is also called as Thirumoozhikulam Sri Lakshmanaperumal Temple, which is located Thirumoozhikulam also revered as one of the 108 Divya Desam Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Shrine’s History
The mythology behind the name of this place is Hareetha Maharishi did penance and meditation on the banks of river Poorna. Lord Mahavishnu got impressed by the dedication of the Maharishi and appeared before him at the beginning of the Kali-yuga. Lord Vishnu gave some advice to Hareetha Maharshi to overcome the difficulties in Kali-yuga. These pieces of advice are called “Thiru Mozhi” meaning ‘Sacred Words’. And thereafter this place got its name as “Thirumozhi kalam” ? kalam means place. Later Thirumozhikkalam became Thirumoozhikkulam.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
This shrine is associated with legends from the Ramayana. Bharata, the brother of Rama and Lakshmana, came to invite Rama, then in exile, to take over the reins of the kingdom, an angry Lakshmana suspecting Bharata’s intentions intended to kill him; however, Bharata’s innocence was very soon revealed, and then the two of them offered worship together at Tirumoozhikkalam. The name Tirumoozhikalam is said to have originated from the phrase tiru mozhi kalam the site where sweet words were uttered.
Another belief is that at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Dvaraka was swallowed by the sea and four idols of Sreerama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrukhna which Lord Sree Krishna worshipped, were also washed into the sea. Some fishermen subsequently caught these four idols near Thriprayar and they were given to Vakkay Kaimal, Naduvazhi. Vakkay Kaimal had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at such and such places. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream. Rama at Thriprayar. Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam and Sathrughna at Payammal. It is believed that worship at all these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious. In the Malayalam month of Karkidakam – the Ramayana Masam, thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimage, which is popularly known as “Nalambalam Yatra” – a pilgrimage to the four temples (Nalambalam).
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The temple is located about 40 km from Ernakulam town and 35 km from Kottayam town.There are numerous government and private buses available to all the major cities.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Piravom Road on Kottayam to Ernakulam lane.
By Air
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery near Kochi. The temple is located less than 20 km from Nedumbassery airport.
Shrine Timings
5:30 AM to 8 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Chithirai Tiruvonam April/May
Karkkidakam Festival July/August
Prathishta January
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby Temple
Valanjambalam Devi Temple
Ravipuram Srikrishna Swamy Temple
Pavakkulam Mahadeva Temple
Chittoor Sri Krishna Temple
Hanuman Temple Murugan Temple
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