Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple / Koodalmanikkam Temple is a Hindu temple which is situated in Irinjalakuda, Trissur district, Kerala state, India. The temple comprises the main structure, walled compound with citadels, four ponds around the main structure where in one of the ponds is situated within the walled structure.The temple belonged to the Thachudaya Kaimals of TravancoreThe Royal family of Travancore appointed Thachudaya Kaimal long, long ago as their representative to administer the temple. The authority of administration was conferred ceremonially (avarodham). Kaimal was expected to be a bachelor, being in service of the Lord, who himself is depicted as the puranic ascetic ruler awaiting the return of Lord Rama. The Lord was ruling the nation as a representative of Sree Ramachandra, as a hermit. The Lord is famous for his nobility and humility in that he worshipped the sandals of Sri Ramachandra he kept on the throne. The spiritual heads of the temple belong to six namboodiri illoms. True, Thachudaya Kaimal wielded immense powers. But he was not above Travancore King. He was, at best, a Governor as we now have (entitled to continue during the pleasure of the Governor) though history does not mention any occasion of displeasure of His Majesty. His office was incapable of succession as per personal law. and HH The Thachudaya Kaimal is considered the chief and temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates. The thanthris had the last say in spiritual matters. The line goes back into antiquity and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The Thachudaya Kaimals enjoy considerable immunities by law even in modern times such as being preceded by a personal escort of attendants with lamp and sword. The Ruling Chief has an escort of the Travancore Nayar Brigade. He has no acknowledged superiors and does not rise even in the presence of the King of Cochin, who is the head of the Kshatriyas of Kerala. The Maharaja of Travancore stands with his head bowed and the Raja of Cochin symbolically carries the palanquin of the Thachudaya Kaimal. The residence of the Kaimal is the Kottilakkal Palace in Irinjalakuda. The Arms of the Kaimal and that of the temple bear the insignia of a coiled conch-shell with the words 'Manikkam Keralar'. With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution in 1971, the Princely order in India was abolished and the Thachudaya Kaimals lost their ownership of the temple and its estates. It is now managed by a Trust managed by the District Collector although a vestige of former power lies in his being the chief trustee of the temple. However, no current members of the family in Trivandrum have staked claim to the position. The Devaswom then allotted land to accommodate institutions such as the Christ College, and for public use to facilitate development activities in the region. Much land that belonged to Koodalmanikyam was subjected to encroachment.