Karimpuzha - At "Dakshina Ayodhya"

Karimpuzha Sriramaswamy Temple is situated in Sreekrishnapuram, Ottapalam Taluk, Palakkad district, on the banks of Kunthipuzha River. This is one of the rarest Sreerama idols as it depicts the ever sacrificing Lord Rama, renunciating on the shores of the Sarayu River before his ascent to Vaikunta. He is accompanied by his ever obedient companion, Hanuman. 

 

 

During the 13 Century, the Samoothiri with the help of military mobilization, conquered the Valluvanad areas. The Samoothiri families were classified into four as per their hierarchy, Eranad Swami Thirumulpaddu was called the Samoothiri, Eranad Ilamkur Nambiyadhiri Thirumulpaddu was known as Earalppaddu, Eranad Moonamkur Nambiyadhiri Thirumulpad was the Moonnalppaddu, Edatharanad Nambiyadhiri Thirumulpaddu was known as the Edatharalppaddu.
 

When the Samoothiri conquered Thrikannamathilakam, the Earalppaddu was entrusted with the governing of Nedunganaadu, Sri Krishnapuram and the neighbouring areas which came under the Nedunganadu region thereby Samoothiri entrusted his brother Earalppaddu with the governing activities of the temple. So Earalppaddu made a palace for simplifying his governing activities with the the temple as the pivotal point of governance and this started the revival of the temple. 

 

 

 

The main diety of the temple, Sri Ramaswamy, faces west. The sub-deities are Lord Ganapathi, Shiva, Bhagavathy and Chamravattath Sastha. Hanuman’s presence was felt near the northern side of the Thidappalli. It has been known as Dakshina Ayodhya or Southern Ayodhya. The old story goes that a Sage was worshipping Lord Sri Rama nearby with his severe penance and so this place was later known as Arattukadavu Para. It is in memory of this sage that even now a lamp is being lit on the eastern end of a banyan tree standing on the northern side of the river.

The fable goes that on the day of consecration of the deity, the old idol was broken while moving it. Within a short span, it was impossible to built a new idol. Everybody thought that the ceremony has to be withheld. The Earalppaddu was forced to look for another idol. He came to be known that there was a Sri Rama idol in the Kaypedath Nair family. But Nair was not willing to give the idol since he was doing his daily rituals and offerings for the deity with that idol. But the Earalppaddu did not bother and forcefully took the idol and installed it in the temple. The saddened Nair went to the deity and prayed with tears saying that if the idol belongs to him, then on the next day with the rising sun, the deity should face west as against now where the deity was consecrated as facing east. Next morning, to their amazement, people saw that the deity faces west, as desired by the Nair. Astonished by this event, the Earalppaddu repented for his act.

 

The Earalppaddu insisted that the temple follow the same ceremonies and rituals as at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Swamy temple (his brother Samoothiri's major temple). With the reconstruction of the temple, the Earalppaddu, brought to Karimpuzha many families for the various temple activities. They were ten Ambalavaasi families made up of two Warrier families comprising of Puthiya variam and Pazhaya variam, two Pisharadi families made of Pazhaya Pisharam and Chakrath Pisharam, two Nambeesan families made of Padinjare Pushpakam and Kizhakke Pushpakam and the four Poduval families namely Thekkedam, Vadakkedam, Naduvil and Chemmarath.

For the purpose of cleaning the temples he assigned 18 Menon Families. The 13 Menon Families and the other 5 were known as ‘Sadyakkar’ (For preparing Sadya etc). Those families were Nallur, Chalapurath, Arangode, Chenangad, Kongasseri, Kattayat, Vakkayil, Arayangode, Pullare, Kormath, Palat, Kochiyil, Thenkurussi, Padinjare Chunagathe, Vengalil, Matumel and Pottekkat. The palace and near around areas were taken care of by the 4 Nair families. The 2 Chaliyara families who were uprooted from Calicut were responsible for the manufacturing of the dresses. The clothings needed for the temple were handwoven by the Devangana families who were brought here from Hampi, Karnataka. Many other families were also there to do the rest of the work, in and around the temple premises. Like there were Nair families proficient in using Percussion instruments like the Kuzhal, Kombu and the Thakil. The Asharis, Karuvan, Mushari , Thandan families helped in various effortful tough tasks like the lifing of the palanquin etc. The Vilakkathra Nair were the official barbers while the Veluthedath Nairs were the official dhobis and were addressed as Mannanmar. 

 

Since the temple activities needed utmost care and attention Earalppaddu had kept aside land and many assets for these families. He donated agriculture land to the families. For the purpose of fire wood, honey and rest of the wild life commodities, he gave them forest reserves also.

The pilgrims coming to the temple are given sumptuous food from the 2 Agrashalas, or kitchen. Of these only 1 has stood the test of time. Every noon there is a Namaskara Sadhya for feeding the Brahmins. This has now become one of the main offerings in the temple. It signifies our gratitude for the accomplishment of any of our desire. In the evenings Vaara Sadhya is also offered. The temple maintains Panja praakara Pooja and Saparivaara Pooja. Panja Prakara means the five Poojas namely – Nirmmalya Pooja in the early dawn, the Usha Pooja, Pantheeradi Pooja, the Uccha Pooja and the Athaaza Pooja in the night. The 3 sheevelis (Sreebalis) are done in the morning, noon and night. The night Sheeveli is followed as in Guruvayur with 11 Lamps and 4 Vadyams(percussions).

 

 

The Murajapam (Loud chanting of sacred hymns) was practiced in the temple since long. The history goes that during the ruling period of the Travancore King Marthanda Varma, in repentance of the crimes met during war, the Villwamangalam Swamiyar suggested that chanting of sacred hymns was the best form of solace. For this purpose Brahmins from Karimpuzha often visited Travancore. This is the only temple were even now Kunda Homa is being practiced (The Ganapathy Homa done in the night is called Kunda Homa). There is a fable that Sri Rama had done his Pithru tharpan (last rites for the departed), on this soil before his holy ascent. So this holy place is considered very divine for offering Pithrubali for our ancestors.

 

Every year, on the Punnartham star, in the malayalam month of Kumbha (Feb – March), the temple festival is celebrated with all grandeur. Festival starts with 'Aanayottam' (Elephant race around the temple for a specific number of times, usually 21). After this, in the late night,festival flag is hoisted. The flag post is made of Areca nut wood. Sri Hanuman adorns the top of the flag post. This festival extends for 8 days.