TIRUVIL WAMALA - THE SEAT OF RAMA & LAKSHMANA

They are two-storeyed shrines, the Lower part, a truncated pyramidal shape acid the upper adorned with gabled roofs and shining Kalasas over the copper plated roofs. The Srikoils are prototype in construction but have a single Pradakshinumarga-circumambulatory path. Even in the archamurthis similarities are striking in their posture, pose, form etc., expect the size - Srirama's image is slightly bigger than Lakshmana's. As the Lakshmana's image came into existence under extraordinary conditions on the unstinted devotion of spiritual luminary Bhargava Rama, and the other Srirama's being Swayambhu in addition to receiving Mahavishnu's tejas at the instance of Amalaka Maharshi, they are worshipped with unprecedented devotion. 

Moreover, this Tiruvilwamala shrine is deemed the best and holiest among the three more dedicated to Srirama, others being Triprayar and Tiruvangad for Sriram, and the only one for Lakshmana at Venmamala near Kottayam. There are two more minishrins built for Ganapathi to the south. Down below this shrine there is a flight of stone steps leading the Hariharaputra shrine who is installed on a charming Vedika flanked by Siva and Parvathi. Except these, there is nothing that detains the visitors long.    

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