Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swamy Temple
Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple
The pride of Poomangalam Grama Panchayat's spiritual and cultural heritage
Located in Poomangalam Grama Panchayat of Thrissur district, Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple is the fourth and final temple in Kerala's famous Nalambalam Yatra. Intimately linked with the Ramayana, this temple stands as a harmonious blend of devotion, heritage, and Kerala temple architecture.
Sree Shatrughna Swami
Main Deity: Sree Shatrughna Swami
Belief holds Sree Shatrughna to be the incarnation of the Sudarshana Chakra in Lord Vishnu's hand. As a temple dedicated to Shatrughna, brother of Sri Rama in the Ramayana, Payammal Temple holds a special place in the Nalambalam Yatra.
Temple Features
The temple faces east. In front of the temple, the Garuda Stambha and Balipeetham are located. The Balipeetham sits right beneath the entrance mandapam of the Nalambalam.
Dwarapalakas (door guardians) are installed on either side of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) entrance. Along the circumambulatory path (pradakshinapatha), secondary deities (Upadevathas) including Ganapathi, Sapthamathrukkal, Shiva, Ashtadikpalakas, and Nirmallyadhari are present.
Kerala Temple Architecture
Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple embodies the traditional characteristics of Kerala temple architecture. The complex mainly comprises the Sreekovil, an elevated Namaskara Mandapam, Pradakshinapatha, Nalambalam, and Thiruchuttambalam.
- Sreekovil: Constructed in a square shape, containing the Garbhagriha (inner sanctum) and Antarala inside.
- Adhishtana (Base Structure): Includes components like Jagathi, Vrittakumuda, and Mathalai-adorned Pattika.
- Pillars: The pilasters are designed in the Brahmakantha style.
- Vimana: The Vimana is built in a two-tiered (Dvitala) pyramidal Kerala style.
- Pranala (Water Spout): Designed resembling a cannon extending out from the mouth of a Yali.
History & Heritage
The antiquity of the temple is associated with the Alvar period ranging from the 6th century to the 9th century CE. It is said that the temple suffered major damage during the invasions of Tipu Sultan. It is believed that priests removed the Panchaloha idol of Shatrughna Swami from the Sreekovil and preserved it in the temple pond to protect it from destruction.
History of the Panchaloha Idol
The idol of Sree Shatrughna Swami is consecrated inside the square granite Sreekovil. Searches have also been conducted in the temple pond in attempts to trace the ancient Panchaloha (five-metal alloy: brass, bronze, copper, gold, silver) idol.
Nalambalam Yatra & Payammal
Completing the pilgrimage to all four temples on a single day during the month of Karkidakam is considered highly virtuous. The traditional order of pilgrimage is as follows:
Triprayar Sree Rama Temple
Deity: Lord Sree Rama
Thirumuzhikulam Sree Lakshmana Perumal Temple
Deity: Lord Lakshmana
Irinjalakuda Kudalmanikyam Temple
Deity: Lord Bharata
Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple
Deity: Lord Shatrughna (Final Destination)
Rituals & Major Festivals
Three daily poojas are performed in the temple. Additionally, the Sudarshana Pushpanjali, which commences on the Pooyam star in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, is one of the key special observances at the temple.
Karkidakam Month (Ramayana Month)
During the month of Karkidakam, celebrated as Ramayana Month, thousands of devotees visit the Payammal Temple as part of the Nalambalam Yatra.
