Karkidakam gives a boost to pilgrim tourism

KOCHI: Karkidakam is known as the month of famine and scarcity. Old-timers call it panja masam (lean season). But this is also known as the ‘Ramayana masam,’ is normally dedicated to reading the Ramayana and there will be a rise in the number of devotees visiting temples. With a number of famous temples in and around the district, pilgrimage tourism gets a boost during this time in the city. “The number of people visiting temples has registered a 40% increase this year, compared to the same period last year,” said Vivekananda Tours and Travels manager Narendran. He said the number of NRIs visiting the temples has also increased. Karkidakam entails an obligatory visit to the Nalambalam (four temples), consisting the shrines of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Bharata and Shatrughna the celebrated quartet of the epic Ramayana. The temples that form the quartet are Thriprayar temple, Koodalmanikyam temple, Thirumoozhikkulam temple and Payammal temple. Visiting these temples on a single day during the holy month of Karkidakam is believed to shower blessings and ensure prosperity, and has become a popular with pilgrim tourists. “March to May is the season of temple festivals in Kerala. But now July-August season is also getting attention, because of the observance of Ramayana masam and also it is a time closer to Onam and related festivities. Pilgrimage tourism has a lot of potential in Kerala and should be promoted in a better way,” said M R Krishna Warrier, a tour consultant based in Kochi. With the inauguration of the international airport in Kochi the connectivity got better, and many tours start from the city. “The discovery of a treasure in Sree Padmanabha Swami temple in Thiruvananthapuram might have taken some sheen off the city, but otherwise most of the pilgrim tours operate with Kochi as the base during the temple seasons in March-April and July-August,” said Satish K, a city based tour operator. With a number of famous temples in and around the district, pilgrimage tourism gets a boost during this time in the city.