Koodalmanikyam,
the festival which marks the end of the Hindu festival season in
Kerala.
Date: Kodiyettam (marks the beginning
of the festival)
Venue: Sree Koodalmanikyam temple,
Irinjalakkuda, about 21 km from Thrissur, north Kerala.
The only temple in India dedicated to Bharatha, who according to
mythology was the brother of Lord Rama, the Koodalmanikyam
temple hosts a colourful eleven day annual festival
with a display of twelve caparisoned elephants. This festival
marks the end of the Hindu festival season in Kerala.
The temple built in the traditional Kerala style
of architecture, sprawls over a hectare of land. It is believed
that the entire area was once a dense forest where learned sages,
headed by Kuleepini Maharshi, lived and meditated. The temple walls
are adorned by beautiful murals. There is also a Koothambalam, the
theatre for traditional temple art forms, in the temple courtyard.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Irinjalakkuda,
about 10 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International
Airport, 58 km from Thrissur.
Festivals
: Kerala is a land
of colourful festivals, which have a long history and tradition behind them.
Kerala's innumerable festivals however stand out because of their uniqueness.