Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanikyam Temple
Koodalmanikyam Temple Location in Kerala
Geography
Coordinates	10°20′48″N 76°12′04″E / 10.34661°N 76.20108°E / 10.34661; 76.20108Coordinates: 10°20′48″N 76°12′04″E / 10.34661°N 76.20108°E / 10.34661; 76.20108
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Trissur
Location	Irinjalakuda
Culture
Primary deity	Bharata
Architecture
Architectural styles	Traditional Kerala style

Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple / Koodalmanikkam Temple is a Hindu temple which is situated in Irinjalakuda, Trissur district, Kerala state, India. The temple comprises the main structure, walled compound with citadels, four ponds around the main structure where in one of the ponds is situated within the walled structure.

The temple belonged to the Thachudaya Kaimals of Travancore and HH The Thachudaya Kaimal is considered the spiritual chief and temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates. The line goes back into antiquity and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The Thachudaya Kaimals enjoy considerable immunities by law even in modern times such as being preceded by a personal escort of attendants with lamp and sword. The Ruling Chief has an escort of the Travancore Nayar Brigade. He has no acknowledged superiors and does not rise even in the presence of the King of Cochin, who is the head of the Kshatriyas of Kerala. The Maharaja of Travancore stands with his head bowed and the Raja of Cochin symbolically carries the palanquin of the Thachudaya Kaimal. The residence of the Kaimal is the Kottilakkal Palace in Irinjalakuda. The Arms of the Kaimal and that of the temple bear the insignia of a coiled conch-shell with the words 'Manikkam Keralar'. With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution in 1971, the Princely order in India was abolished and the Thachudaya Kaimals lost their ownership of the temple and its estates. It is now managed by a Trust managed by the District Collector although a vestige of former power lies in his being the chief trustee of the temple. However, no current members of the family in Trivandrum have staked claim to the position. The Devaswom then allotted land to accommodate institutions such as the Christ College, and for public use to facilitate development activities in the region. Much land that belonged to Koodalmanikyam was subjected to encroachment.

Koodalmanikyam Temple is the temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata, apart from Amanakara in Palai- Thodupuzha route. , the third brother of Rama. Today, the presiding deity of Koodalmanikyam Temple near Irinjalakuda is Bharata, the brother of Rama as a form of Vishnu. The temple is one of four in Kerala state that form a set called "Nalambalam", each temple dedicated to one of the four brothers in Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.