Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple is located in Palakkad district in Kerala. Karimpuzha is a village located in Ottapalam taluk. The temple is located on the banks of Karimpuzha River. The Karimpuzha River is one of the main tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Bharathapuzha is the fourth longest river in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Sree Ramaswamy temple is known as "Dakshina Ayodhya". The temple was owned by Kozhikode Samoodhiripad Eralpad, the heir to become Samoodhiri, who had his "Kovilakam" in Karimpuzha. The temple is one of the rarest and biggest temples in India. It is for this reason that the temple has been named as Mahakshetra. The idol depicts the ever sacrificing Lord Rama, enunciating on the shores of the Sarayu River before his ascent to heaven. He is accompanied by his Lord Hanuman. The deity of Hanuman can also be seen in the temple.
History of Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple
The history of Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple dates back to the times of the Calicut Zamorin. The Zamorin`s family shifted their royal residence from Kondotty to Calicut. They invaded Karimpuzha and declared Earalppad as the ruler of the province. Later they began developing Karimpuzha and also renovated the temple.
Legend of Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple
Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple is associated with a legend. According to it the idol of the lord broke on the day fixed for the installation of the deity. There was not much time left for making another deity. Thus, it was thought that the ceremony will have to be cancelled. The Earalppad was forced to look for another deity. It came to be known that there was a Sri Rama idol in the Kaypedath Nair family. However, the Nair did not wish to give the deity as he offered his daily poojas to it and also devoted to it. But the Earalppad did not bother for his words and forcefully took the idol and installed it in the temple facing the east direction. The Nair grieved and insulted went to the deity. He prayed with tears in his eyes saying that if the deity was his then the next day with the rising sun it would turn its face westwards. To everyone`s surprise the next morning people saw the deity facing the west direction. The Earalppad then realised his mistake and decided to do penance.
Deities of Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple
Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple has many deities installed in its shrine. The main idol here is of Lord Rama that faces the west direction. The other deities installed here are Lord Ganesha, Shivan, Bhagavathy and Chamravattath Ayyappan and Shasthavu. Lord Hanuman`s presence was felt near the northern side of the Thidappalli. It was then installed in the temple almost 2 years ago. According to a legend a sage used to worship an idol of Lord Rama with sincere devotion. Hence this place was later known as Arattukadavu Para. It is in memory of this ancient sage a lamp is lit on the eastern end for a banyan tree standing on the northern side of the river.
Festivals of Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple
Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy Temple celebrates many festivals on a grand scale. The temple is decorated beautifully and attracts many devotees from different places. Every year, on the Punnartham Nakshatram in the Kumbha Masam (Feb - March) the temple flag can be seen flying high. This announces the arrival of Utsavam. The temple festival begins with `Aanayottam` i.e. elephant running around the temple for a specific number of times, usually 21. Next at late night, Kodiyettam, festival flag is hoisted. The flag post is made of wood. Sri Hanuman adorns the flag post. This festival is celebrated for 8 days. During the festival time temple arts like Kathakali, Oattanthullal and Chakyaarkoothu also take place. Thayambaka by famous Chenda specialists is conducted at night. Palli Vetta is another grand festival celebrated by the temple. The day before Palli Vetta is known as `Utsava Bali.` It is a ritual in which all lords are given special offerings. This is a regarded as a very special ritual. On the Palli Vetta day, the temple is decorated attractively and looks magnificent. Pilgrims throng the temple to bestow their worship and other offerings to the Lord and receive his blessings. Palli Vetta represents the hunting of Lord Ramaswamy. With the Aarratttu i.e. the holy bath the festivities come to an end. Panchari Melam, Pandi Melam, Panchavaadyam are other arts performed here in the temple during the festivals. All through the festival time many rituals are celebrated with the temple premises. Some of them are Usha Pooja, Sheeveli with Panchari Melam, Navakam, Panchagavyam, Uchchapooja, Sree Boothabali, Kalampattu, Theeyattu, Utsava Bali.
Apart from the festivals many other rituals are celebrated by the temple. Murajapam, Kalampattu, Theeyattu, Kundahomam are some of these rituals. The temple has special offerings and poojas. In the evenings Vaara Sadhya, in the name of Agram is also offered. The temple maintains Panja praakara Pooja and Saparivaara Pooja. Panja Prakara means the five Poojas namely, Usha Pooja in the early dawn, the morning Pooja, Pantheeradi Pooja , the Ucha Pooja and the Athaza Pooja in the night. The 3 shivelis are done in the morning, noon and night. Other than this daily 9 Kalashams are also done. The Kalasham in the temple is done once in 12 years. This is done to set off the lost grandeur of the temple. The sacred Vedas are also chanted in the temple. Every morning, Seeveli will be held inside the temple accompanied by Panchari Melam. It can thus be said that the temple gives much priority to traditional rituals and other in house temple rituals.
