Four temples dedicated to Lord Rama and his three brothers Lakshman, Bharath and Sathrughna located in and around Ramapuram near Pala have been spruced up to receive the devotees who take up the ‘Naalambala Darshan.’ The pilgrimage to the four temples at a stretch during the Malayalam month of ‘Karkidakom,’ the Ramayana Month, is considered highly auspicious by believers.
According to P.R. Raman Namboodiri, secretary, Naalambaladarsana Committee, the darshan begins from Sreeramaswamy Temple, Ramapuram, nearly 11 km from Pala. After paying obeisance to the eldest of the brothers, the devotees move to Sreelakshmana Swamy Temple at Koodappulam nearly 4 km away to the west; then to Sreebharathaswamy Temple at Amanakara, another 3.5 km to the east; and later to the Sreesathrughna Swamy temple at Methiri 2.5 km to the north. The Naalambala Darsan will be wrapped up with visiting the Sreeramaswamy Temple at Ramapuram.
The temples situated in rural settings are surrounded by stories connected with the Ramayana and the ‘vanvas’ period in the life of Lord Rama. The proximity of these temples makes it possible to complete the darshan before the conclusion of the poojas at Ramaswamy temple. While the temples close early on normal days, the poojas would go on upto noon during the month of Karkidakom, he said.
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The presence of Bhadrakaali temples in the precincts of the four temples and the Sree Hanuman temple adjoining the Sreerama Swamy temple at Ramapuram are also exclusive to the Naalambala Darshan, Mr. Namboodiri said. The main offerings at these temples are ‘Ambum Villum’ (bow and arrow) at the Sreerama Swamy Temple; ‘Chathurbaahu’ offering at Sreelakshmana Swamy Temple, ‘sankh’ (conch) at Sreebharatha Swamy temple and ‘sreechakra’ offering at Sreesathrughna Swamy temple.
With the month-long pilgrimage season beginning on Monday (Karkidakom 1) the temples have been readied to receive the devotees. The authorities have made arrangements for medical aid, free shelter, parking space, free food etc. Information centres have also been set up for the benefit of the devotees, Mr. Nambbodiri said.