Koodalmanikyam Temple is a Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda Municipality, Thrissur district, Kerala, India . The temple comprises a main structure, a walled compound with citadels, and four ponds around the main structure one of which is within the walls. Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only ancient temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata, the second brother of Rama, however the idol is that of god Vishnu. "Sangameshwara" ("the Lord of the Confluence") is another name associated with the deity at Koodalmanikyam. The temple is one of four in Kerala that form a set called "nalambalam", each temple dedicated to one of the four brothers in the epic Ramayana: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The Thachudaya Kaimal as "Manikkam Keralar" is the spiritual chief and the temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its estates. The line goes back to antiquity and is mentioned in the sacred Skanda Purana. The temporal rights over the temple, that is the office of the kaimal (as opposed to "Manikkam Keralar") and the office of "melkoyma". History The earliest historical reference to Koodalmanikyam Temple is found on a stone inscription attributed to the Chera Perumal king Sthanu Ravi Kualsekhara dated 854/55 AD, leasing out vast extents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. Koodalmanikyam temple plays a key role in the history of Irinjalakuda as most land in and around the region belonged to the Koodalmanikyam Temple and the Thachudaya Kaimals of Travancore until 1971. The temple attracts devotees and tourists. Rituals and festival The custom in most of the temples in Kerala is to have five pujas and three sivelis a day. But in Koodalmanikyam Temple there are only three pujas and no siveli. There is no usha puja and pantheeradi puja at this shrine. The deity is taken out for ceremonial procession only during the annual festival. There is no deepa-aradhana. This is the only temple without deepa-aradhana. Sticks and camphor are not used for the puja. The floral offerings to the deity consist of lotus, tulasi (ocimum sanctum) and thechi (ixora). But they are not grown in the temple compound. No other flower is taken for puja or for making garlands. Lotus garland is an important offering to