Tiru Moozhikalam

Tiru Moozhikalam is one of the few Divya Desams in Kerala, situated near Kodungallur (Cranganore) in Thrissur district. The presiding deity is Koodal Manikyam Perumal — the ruby gem of the confluence — whose name refers to the koodal (confluence) of sacred rivers near Kodungallur. Kulasekara Alvar, one of the twelve Alvars and a Kerala king-saint, sang Mangalasasanam here in the Perumal Tirumozhi. The temple reflects the Kerala style of sacred architecture — sloping tiled roof, wooden mandapam interiors, and the distinctive Kerala temple sanctum design — in contrast to the stone Dravidian gopuram style of Tamil Nadu. The Bharat Mata shrine is in the same sacred region. The goddess consort is Manikaval Thayar. The Kerala temple atmosphere — forest canopy, jackfruit and coconut trees — gives this Desam a distinctly different quality from the Tamil Nadu Divya Desams.

The Puranic legend holds that Brahma was conducting a great cosmic yajna and, desiring Vishnu's presence as the yajna's presiding deity, prayed here at the sacred river confluence. Vishnu appeared as the resplendent ruby-gem — Koodal Manikyam — blazing at the junction of the rivers, so brilliant that Brahma could barely look upon him. The deity then settled permanently at this confluence point to be eternally visible and accessible to Brahma's descendants on earth.