Lakshmana Perumal Temple, Thirumoozhikkalam

Sthala Purāṇam

Thirumoozhikkalam (Moozhikkulam), near Aluva in Ernakulam, is the 68th Divya Desam and one of the thirteen Kerala divyadesams. Unusually, the presiding deity is Lakshmana, brother of Rama, worshipped here as Moozhikkalathan (also Sukti Natha Perumal), in standing posture (Nindra Thirukkolam) facing east. The sthala puranam draws from the Ramayana: when Bharata came toward the forest to bring the exiled Rama back to Ayodhya, Lakshmana suspected treachery and grew enraged, nearly attacking him. On learning of Bharata's innocence and devotion, the brothers reconciled and exchanged sweet, loving words, and worshipped together at this place. From these gentle words (mozhi) the site took its name, tiru-mozhi-kalam, later softened to Thirumoozhikkalam. As Lakshmana is regarded as an incarnation of Adisesha, the shrine venerates this aspect of the Lord. The temple was sung in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Nammalvar, who offered eleven pasurams, and by Thirumangai Alvar with three more. It is one of the Kerala shrines visited for relief during distress, included in the Nalambalam pilgrimage circuit observed in the month of Karkidakam. A distinctive feature is the performance of Koodiyattam, the ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition, within the temple.

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