Thrinayamkudam Sree Rama Temple

TV Puram, Vaikom, Dist. Kottayam.

Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple, located at TV Puram in Kottayam district, is one of the five major temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, about 8 km from Vaikom town. Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the principal deity of the temple. With its historical and spiritual significance, the temple has long been an important place of worship for devotees.

Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple is believed to be over 450 years old. However, there are no clear records regarding its early history or the exact period of its construction. According to traditional belief, the temple originally stood on an island called Vilakkumadam in the Vembanad Lake. It is also traditionally believed that the temple was later relocated and rebuilt at its present site during the reign of the Travancore kings. The temple is currently administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

According to local legend, the temple is believed to enshrine Lord Rama in his fierce form after the slaying of Khara, as described in the Ramayana. This belief is also associated with the tradition that Udayanapuram, near Vaikom, is the place where Lord Rama slew the asura Khara.

Although the principal deity is worshipped as Lord Rama, temple tradition holds that the idol is in the four-armed form of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, the idol was consecrated by a Tamil Brahmin named Manivenkitan. It is also believed that the place was originally known as Thirumanivenkitapuram after him and that the name gradually changed to Thrinayamkudam and later to TV Puram.

According to legend, Manivenkitan, a devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati and his family came to Kerala after foreign invasions forced them to leave their homeland. They are believed to have reached this region through the Vembanad Lake. As a mark of gratitude for the refuge they received, Manivenkitan is believed to have built a temple on an island in the middle of the lake and consecrated the idol of Lord Vishnu that he worshipped daily. Temple tradition further states that the temple was later destroyed during another foreign invasion and the idol disappeared into the lake. At a later period, the idol was recovered from the lake and reconsecrated at its present location.

Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple is built in the traditional Kerala temple architectural style. The temple is constructed using natural materials such as timber, stone and clay roof tiles. It is enclosed by a strong laterite stone wall, with the main entrance located on the eastern side through a traditional gateway. Beyond the entrance is a spacious elephant shelter, which is used during festivals and temple ceremonies. Facing the main entrance stands the Dwajasthambam (flagstaff), clad in copper or gold plating, with the Balikkal (sacrificial stone) at its base. The outer walls of the temple are lined with traditional lamp niches, which are lit during festivals and other special occasions.

The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), the main shrine of the temple, is built in the traditional square plan of Kerala temple architecture. Its roof is covered with copper sheets and crowned with a golden Thazhikakkudam (finial). The principal deity, Lord Rama, is enshrined in the Sreekovil. The idol, made of Panchaloha (a five-metal alloy), is regarded as one of the largest Panchaloha idols in Kerala. Although worshipped as Lord Rama, the idol is in the four-armed form of Lord Vishnu, holding a Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), bow and Akshamala (rosary). The Shankha and Chakra represent Lord Vishnu, while the bow identifies the deity with Lord Rama. Since it is of the Kharasamhara Moorthi form, devotees worship the deity as Sree Ramaswamy. Temple tradition also associates the Akshamala with Lord Brahma and the fierce expression after the slaying of Khara with Lord Shiva and therefore regards the idol as embodying the presence of the Trimurti. Facing the Sreekovil is the Namaskara Mandapam, a pillared hall noted for its traditional wooden carvings, where devotees offer prayers and temple rituals are performed.

The Thidappalli (temple kitchen), where offerings for the deity are prepared, is located at the south-eastern corner of the Nalambalam. Shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Durga, the Naga deities and Brahmarakshas can be seen both inside and outside the Nalambalam. A large temple pond is situated on the northern side of the temple.

The main festival of Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple is the ten-day annual festival, held during the Malayalam month of Meenam (March–April). The famous Arattu ceremony takes place on the Thiruvonam star in Meenam. The festival features special Vaishnava rituals, including Sree Bhoothabali, Utsavabali and Pallinayattu, along with traditional art forms such as Panchari Melam, Pandi Melam, Thayambaka, Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu and Ottanthullal, as well as a ceremonial elephant procession. Other important observances at the temple include Sree Ramanavami, the recitation of the Ramayana during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam and Vishu. On Karkidaka Vavu, thousands of devotees perform Pithru Tharpanam (ancestral rites) at the old Vilakkumadam site on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, which is closely associated with the temple’s history.

Devotees offer a variety of vazhipadus (ritual offerings) at Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple to seek the blessings of the deity. One of the most important offerings is the application of sandalwood paste, performed as a symbolic act to calm Lord Rama’s fierce form after the slaying of Khara. Palpayasam (sweet milk pudding) and Neypayasam (ghee pudding) are offered for the removal of obstacles and the fulfilment of wishes. Offering a Tulsi mala is believed to bring good health and family well-being, while offering a symbolic bow and arrow is performed to seek protection from enemies and success in one’s endeavours. Venna Nivedyam (offering of butter) is also made to receive the Lord’s grace and blessings. At the shrine of Lord Hanuman, devotees offer Avil Nivedyam for success in their undertakings and Vada Mala for the removal of obstacles in life.

The daily rituals at Thrinayamkudam Sree Ramaswamy Temple begin at 5:00 a.m. with the opening of the temple, followed by Nirmalya Darshan and Abhishekam. This is followed by Malar Nivedyam at 5:30 a.m., Usha Pooja at 6:00 a.m., Ethirelppu Pooja and Sreebali at 7:30 a.m. and Ucha Pooja at 10:30 a.m. The temple closes for the morning at 11:00 a.m. It reopens at 5:30 p.m., followed by Deeparadhana at sunset and Athazha Pooja at 7:30 p.m. After Thrippuka, the temple closes for the day at 8:00 p.m. On special occasions such as the annual festival in the Malayalam month of Meenam, Sree Ramanavami and the temple’s consecration day, additional rituals, including Utsavabali, Pallinayattu and ceremonial processions, are held. As a result, the ritual schedule and temple closing times may vary.

Key highlight :-

• Located 8 km from Vaikom town.
• The nearest railway station is Vaikom Road Railway Station, located about 18 km from the temple.
• Local bus services are available to TV Puram from Vaikom.
• Parking facilities for private vehicles are available within the temple premises.
• Accommodation and dining facilities are available in the nearby town.