With the onset of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakom, the pilgrimage to the four temples consecrated in the name of Sreerama and his three brothers, Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Sathrukhna, situated in the sleepy little village of Ramapuram has commenced.
Nalambala Darshan, which denotes paying obeisance at the four temples at a stretch and concluding the pilgrimage before Ucha Puja, has been considered highly auspicious. While the pilgrimage to temples with the four brothers as presiding deities was in vogue all over the country during the Ramayana month, the Nalambala Darshan at Ramapuram has become popular of late because the four temples are situated within a radius of three kilometres, and devotees find the pilgrimage here easier to complete, said P.R. Raman Namboodiri, secretary of the Nalambala Committee.
The Sreeramaswamy temple is situated at Ramapuram proper, Sreelakshmanaswamy temple at Kudappulam, a few kilometres away; Sreebharathaswamy temple at Amanakara, and Sreesathrukhnaswamy temple at Methiri.
Bus service
This year, extensive arrangements have been made for the darshan. According to Mr. Namboodiri, pandals covering vast areas have been erected at all the four temples, so that pilgrims could wait in queues without fearing the downpour. The Health Department has deployed medical teams at the four temples. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has pressed in special circular services covering the four temples. Annadanam (free meals) has been arranged at the Sreebharathaswamy temple.
Annadanam has been arranged at Sreebharathaswamy temple at Amanakara
