Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India devoted to Bharatha, who, according to mythology was the brother of lord Rama. This ancient temple with a unique deity hosts a colorful eleven-day annual festival with a display of twelve caparisoned elephants. Falling in April/May, this festival marks the end of Hindu festival period in Kerala.

Festival is held for all days in Medom (April-May) from Utram to Thiruvonamasterisms, the flag hoisting being on the Utram day. Procession accompanied by caparisoned elephants is the particular features of the festival.

The earliest historical reference to Koodalmanikyam Temple is found on a stone inscription attributed to the Chera king Stanu Ravi Varman dated 854 A.D, donating vast extents of land for the temple. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that the temple must have been in existence for quite some time before this date and that even then Koodalmanikyam occupied a place of importance among temples of Kerala.