as an umbrella. On each side of the idol, Sri and Bhumi devis are also consecrated. Thus, it is clear that this is the form of the Lord in which sage Amalaka is believed to have got darshan. As there is a slight presence of Lord Shiva also in this idol, a lamp is always burnt on the back, thus called 'Pinvilakku'. The idol of Lord Lakshamana in the east facing shrine is around 3 ft tall. This is one of the rare shrines in India where this brother-cum-companion of Lord Rama is constructed. This idol is around 3 ft tall, and it is also made up of 'Pathalanjana Sila'. There are no special decorations on this idol, unlike that in the west nada. This is considered to be the older one of two sreekovils. As the west nada has an idol in the form in which sage Amalaka is believed to have got darshan, this is considered to be the idol consecrated by Lord Parasurama for the welfare of the ghosts. Both deities have separate priests. There are two vathilmadams (raised platform) on both sides of the western entrance. On the north-western corner of the nalambalam, there is a store room and a dark room. There was a 'Koothambalam' on the south-eastern side, where, as the name suggests, the temple art forms like Koothu and Koodiyattam were conducted in olden days. Near the Koothambalam is the Thidappally (temple kitchen), where food offerings are made. On the south-western side, Lord Ganapathi is installed facing east, as seen in almost all Kerala temples. For the blessings of Lord Ganapathi for removing obstacles, Ganapathi Homam is performed here daily in the morning. Unlike many temples, there are three balikkallus (altar stone) here. One is on the west nada, and the other two are on the east nada at different locations. There is balikkalppura on west nada. The balikkallu on the west nada is huge in size. Outside the nalambalam, on the south-eastern side, is the shrine of Lord Hanuman. Here, the monkey God resides as a gatekeeper of the temple, and has his own importance. The legend says that after killing the asura who tried to destroy the temple, the remaining asuras came to Vilwadri, and began to attack the temple far away from it, as they could not approach the temple. But, for preventing their attack, Lord Rama sent his faithful