Methiri Sree Sathrughna Swamy Temple

Methiri, Ramapuram, Dist. Kottayam.

Methiri Sathrughna Swamy Temple is a well-known Hindu temple located at Methiri, near Ramapuram in Kottayam district, Kerala. It is the fourth and final temple visited during the famous Nalambalam pilgrimage held in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (July–August), also known as the Ramayana month. The main deity is Lord Sathrughna, the younger brother of Lord Rama. The temple is best known for its unique tradition of worshipping the same idol as Lord Sathrughna until noon and as Santhana Gopala after noon. Many devotees visit the temple to pray for children, family well-being and prosperity and offer special rituals to the deity.

Historically, Methiri and Ramapuram were part of the former Kingdom of Vadakkumkoor. As Methiri was located in a border region, it held strategic importance. Between the 11th and 15th centuries AD, the Vaishnava Bhakti movement had a strong influence across Kerala, leading to the establishment of many temples connected with the Ramayana. During this period, Ramapuram Sree Rama Swamy Temple and the nearby temples dedicated to Lord Rama’s brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata and Sathrughna, were established. Ramapuram Sree Rama Swamy Temple is mentioned in historical records as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams of the Tamil Vaishnava tradition. The Amanakkara, Kunnoor and Karanattu Mana families, who held the Oorayma (traditional administrative rights) of Methiri Temple, were the major landlords of this region. These four temples developed within a small area as centres for agricultural activities and village administration. In AD 1750, Maharaja Marthanda Varma conquered the Kingdom of Vadakkumkoor and annexed it to Travancore, bringing these temples under Travancore rule. The Mana families continued to oversee the administration and daily affairs of the temples. Even today, the temple is managed by the Ramapuram Devaswom Trust, continuing this long-standing tradition.

According to legend, Lord Rama arrived at present-day Ramapuram during his search for Sita Devi and chose the place for meditation. Unable to bear his separation, Lakshmana, Bharata and Sathrughna travelled south from Ayodhya in search of him and finally reached Ramapuram. It is believed that each of them selected a nearby place for meditation and penance and that the place chosen by Lord Sathrughna later became known as Methiri. Lord Sathrughna is regarded as the incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra. One of the temple’s most unique features is that the same idol is worshipped in two different Vaishnava forms. Until noon, the deity is worshipped as Lord Sathrughna and after noon as Santhana Gopala, the divine giver of the blessing of children. For this reason, devotees believe that the Nalambalam pilgrimage should be completed before the noon pooja. It is also believed that prayers and offerings become complete only after worshipping Sree Porkkali Devi, whose shrine is situated on the eastern side of the temple.

Built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture, Methiri Sathrughna Swamy Temple is small in size but rich in simplicity and traditional beauty. A charming tiled entrance gateway with a simple design welcomes devotees to the temple. The exterior, built with hard stone and mud walls, preserves its ancient character. A traditional tiled Nalambalam (inner courtyard) surrounds the temple. In front of the main entrance, directly facing the sanctum, stands a large Balikkal (sacrificial stone). Just before entering the temple courtyard, on the eastern side, there is a small shrine dedicated to the other deity, Sree Porkkali Devi.

As you enter the temple, the first feature that draws attention is the main square sanctum, built entirely of hard stone from the base to the roof. The outer walls of the sanctum are beautifully decorated with three-dimensional carvings depicting important scenes from the Ramayana, making them one of the temple’s main attractions. Above the sanctum is a traditional Thazhikakudam, adding to its architectural beauty. Inside the sanctum, Lord Sathrughna is enshrined in the four-armed form of Lord Mahavishnu, holding the Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace) and Padma (lotus). The most unique feature of the idol is that it is worshipped as Lord Sathrughna before the noon pooja and as Santhana Gopala after the noon pooja. In front of the sanctum is the Namaskara Mandapam, while rows of traditional oil lamps are arranged along the walls of the Nalambalam for lighting during the evening rituals. Outside the main sanctum, on the north-western side, is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Lord Ganesha is enshrined in the south-west corner within the Nalambalam. The temple also has a separate Naga Thara with idols of Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi.

The most important festival of the temple is the Nalambalam pilgrimage during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, also known as the Ramayana month. After visiting Ramapuram Sree Rama Swamy Temple, Koodappulam Sree Lakshmana Swamy Temple and Amanakkara Sree Bharata Swamy Temple, devotees complete the pilgrimage at Methiri Sathrughna Swamy Temple, the fourth and final temple in the pilgrimage. It is considered highly auspicious to complete the darshan at all four temples before the noon pooja. Another major celebration is the eight-day annual festival, which begins with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Chothi star in the Malayalam month of Meenam. The festival concludes with the joint Arattu ceremony at the temple pond of Amanakkara Sree Bharata Swamy Temple, following special poojas, Utsava Bali and Pallivetta. Special poojas and celebrations are also held during Sree Rama Navami, Sree Krishna Jayanthi (Ashtami Rohini), Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri and Thrikarthika.

The temple’s main offerings include Sudarshana Pushpanjali, Sudarshana Chakra Samarpanam and Shankhabhishekam. As the deity is worshipped as the incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra, devotees perform these offerings to remove obstacles, overcome enemies, attain peace of mind and pray for good health. After the noon pooja, when the deity is worshipped in the form of Santhana Gopala, couples praying for children offer a cradle and a child figure. Palpayasam (sweet milk pudding) and butter are also offered for the health, well-being and long life of children. Among the other deities, devotees offer Kadumpayasam, silk cloth and Thali to Sree Porkkali Devi for marital blessings and protection, Ganapathi Homam and Appa Nivedyam to Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles and Noorum Palum to the Naga deities for relief from Sarpa Dosha.

The temple opens daily at 05:00 AM with Nirmalya Darshanam, marking the beginning of the day’s rituals. This is followed by Abhishekam at 05:15 AM, Usha Pooja at 06:00 AM and Ucha Pooja at 06:30 AM. The temple closes at 09:00 AM. It reopens at 05:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 06:30 PM and Athazha Pooja at 07:00 PM. The temple closes for the day at 07:30 PM. During the Nalambalam pilgrimage in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, darshan timings are extended to accommodate the large number of devotees. During this period, the temple remains open for darshan from 05:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM

Key highlight :-

• Located 10 km from Koothattukulam and 17 km from Pala.
• The nearest railway station is Kottayam, about 40 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus services are available to Ramapuram from Pala and Koothattukulam.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number + 91 4822264235