As Ramayana Masam begins, homes and Mandirs across Kerala echo with sacred chants, storytelling, and rituals celebrating the eternal values of the epic.
Sacred Month Begins
Ramayana Masam (Ramayana Month) begins today, marking the start of a spiritually significant period in Kerala’s Hindu calendar. Observed during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (mid-July to mid-August), this month is dedicated entirely to the recitation and reflection of the Ramayana, particularly the Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu composed by Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam literature.
This tradition, followed devoutly across homes and Mandirs, aims to offer solace, strength, and spiritual insight during what is believed to be a challenging time of the year, both climatically and emotionally.
Spirit of Ramayana Masam
Karkidakam is often referred to as the “month of scarcity” due to heavy monsoons and agricultural inactivity. In such times, the Ramayana serves not just as scripture but as a moral compass and source of inner peace. The verses emphasise dharma (righteousness), bhakti (devotion), sacrifice, and truth, mirroring the hardships and virtues of Bhagwan Rama’s journey.
Daily readings of the Adhyatma Ramayanam begin at dusk, often led by elders or Mandir pujaris. Devotees sit together as each chapter unfolds lessons from Rama’s life, invoking collective prayer, discipline, and family bonding.
Common Observances and Preparations
Ramayana Parayanam (Daily Reading) – Families read one sargam (chapter) each day, completing the epic by the end of the month. It is customary to light a nilavilakku (traditional lamp) and offer prasadam after reading.
Vratham and Fasting – Many observe partial fasts, practice celibacy, and avoid tamasic food. The emphasis is on a sattvic lifestyle — simplicity, prayer, and introspection.
Charity and Seva – Acts of kindness and feeding the poor are encouraged. Donating to Mandirs or supporting Ramayana recitation programs is also considered auspicious.
Chanting and Bhajans – Mandirs hold Ramayana chanting sessions, devotional singing, and discourses by scholars.
Four Must-Visit Mandirs in Kerala During Ramayana Masam
As the spiritually significant month of Karkidakam unfolds in Kerala, thousands of devotees set out on a sacred pilgrimage known as Nalambalam Darshanam, a unique Mandir circuit that honours the four brothers of the Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna.
The word Nalambalam translates to “four temples,” and this ritual involves visiting four specific shrines in a single day, an act believed to cleanse the soul, remove obstacles, and deepen one’s spiritual connection to the Ramayana and its timeless virtues.
Four Mandirs of Nalambalam
Thriprayar Sree Ram Mandir (Thrissur District)
The journey begins with the Thriprayar Mandir, the most prominent among the four. Dedicated to Bhagwan Ram, this Mandir houses the deity in a unique Chathurbahu (four-armed) form. It is believed to be the eldest brother’s seat, and hence, the starting point of Nalambalam Darshanam.
Koodalmanikyam Mandir, Irinjalakuda (Thrissur District)
The only Mandir in India dedicated to Bhagwan Bharata, Rama’s devoted younger brother. The murti here radiates simplicity and selfless service, mirroring Bharata’s noble sacrifice in the Ramayana. The Mandirs distinct rituals and serene atmosphere offer a rare spiritual experience.
Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Mandir (Ernakulam District)
Located in a peaceful village setting, this Mandir is dedicated to Bhagwan Lakshmana, known for his unwavering loyalty and courage. The Mandirs architecture and lush surroundings add to its charm, and it is the third stop on the Nalambalam route.
Payammal Shathrughna Mandir (Thrissur District)
The final leg of the pilgrimage takes devotees to the Payammal Mandir, dedicated to Bhagwan Shatrughna, the youngest of the four brothers. Though smaller in size, the temple holds great spiritual significance and completes the Nalambalam cycle.
A Journey of Inner Awakening
Beyond rituals and Mandir visits, Ramayana Masam is about internal transformation. In the face of life’s trials, symbolised by the storms of Karkidakam, the Ramayana reminds devotees of the strength of virtue, patience, and unwavering faith. It’s a month to shed ego, embrace humility, and walk the path of maryada purushottam, the ideal human being, Bhagwan Rama.
As lamps glow and verses echo in the rain-washed evenings of Kerala, Ramayana Masam stands as a testimony to the timeless relevance of India’s spiritual epics and the cultural heartbeat of devotion that endures.
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