Vilwadrinatha temple is situated in Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur district. The temple located on a hilltop, 100 feet above the sea level, is one among the four temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Rama and among the rarest ones that house Lord Lakshmana. Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, locally known as “Vilwadranathan” is worshipped in here along with his brother Lakshmana.
The main temple has two separate shrines for the deities. The idol of Lord Rama in the form of Lord Vishnu is 5 ft tall, made out of a rare piece of stone, Pathalanjana Sila. The second largest river in Kerala, Bharathapuzha, flows around 3 km away from the temple. As the temple resides on top of a hill, the river can be spotted flowing majestically down the hill. Nirmala is the annual festival celebrated in the temple around mid-September, in the Malayalam month of Kanni.
The ever famous Punarjani cave, the 150-meter natural tunnel, is situated very near to the temple. The entry to this cave is only allowed once in a year. The temple has a huge peepal tree on the eastern side and a hill of ghosts, Bhoothanmala. Visit this varied temple residing on top of a hill, dedicated to Lord Rama for the clear and pristine environment it provides. A trip to the temple is a picnic indeed along with a pilgrimage, as you need to walk your way upto the hilltop. Upon reaching the height you are startled at the enormous charm around.
