Sree Satrughnaswamy Temple, Payammal

Datable to ancient period, the legend says that a local chieftain by name Vakkayil Kaimal saw in a dream at night some mysterious persons appearing before him and telling him that four idols had been washed off the coast west of Triprayar and that they should be consecrated at four different places with the sankalpam of Sree Rama, Sree Bharata, Sree Lakshmana, and Sree Satrughna. Next day morning Kaimal went to the seashore and to his great surprise he saw four beautiful idols of Lord Vishnu. All these idols were installed as per the instructions in the dream, Sree Rama at Triprayar, Sree Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Sree Satrughna at Payammal and Sree Lakshmana at Thirumoozhikkulam. The temple flourished as a Maha Kshetram for a long period till the Dutch destroyed its structures.

From known times the temple was owned and managed by Tharananelloor mana. In 1978 A.D. its administration was vested with Sree Satrughna-swamy Kshetra Seva Samiti. The members of the samiti elect annually a 20-member Executive Committee (inclusive of five office-bearers). The Secretary of the samiti attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Details of land owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple owns 74 cents of land which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil with mukha-mandapam, namaskara-mandapam, sub-shrines, chuttambalam with agra-mandapam, Valiya-balikkal, nata-panthal, pradakshina-vazhi, oottupura, office building, well and tank.

The square dwi-tala Sreekovil of sandhaara type and facing east has granite adhishthaanam with moulding of paadukam, jagathi, vritta-kumudam, kumuda-Pati, utharam, kampam, galam, gala-Pati, valaru and Pati. The sopanam has five direct steps with vyaali face on the top and the sides of banisters.
The pranaalam has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sundu and go-Mukha end. The walls have two ghanadwaaras and two doors. On the southern antharaalam, Lord Ganapati is installed facing south. The roof is tiled. The namaskara-mandapam (side: 2.50 m.) has four wooden pillars.

The chuttambalam has three entrances, east, west, and north. The thidappali is at southeast. The southwestern room is used as store. Around the chuttambalam, there is platform. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-mandapam. The nata-panthal built on eight pillars has concrete roof. A seven layered deepastambham is installed within the nata-panthal. The granite pradakshina-vazhi has a width of 1.5 m. and a thickness of 7 cm. The oottupura is at the north and the office room at northeast. The laterite compound wall has three entrances, one at east and two at west. The temple tank is at the western side.

The granite dwaarapalakas are exquisite carvings.

The Krishna-sila idol of Lord Satrughna is of standing pose (105 cm.) with four arms having conch, disc, club, and lotus in hands. The idol of Lord Ganapati is of sitting pose (20 cm.).

The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 11 A M. and from 5-30 to 8 PM. Three poojas are held daily  , Usha-pooja (7:30 AM) Ucha pooja (9-30 AM and Athazha  pooja (7 PM.).

The important vazhipadu are Sudarshana Pushpanjali, Sankhaabhishekam, Avil -nivedyam and Ganapathi homam. All are popular.

The annual six-day festival is held from Pooyam nakshatram with Kodiyettam. On second and third days the important items are sreebhoothabali and sreebali at 8 AM and Niramala with Chuttu-vilakk at dusk. At 8 PM vilakku – ezhunnellippu is held. The fourth day is known as Valiya-vilakku day. In the morning the important item is kazhcha sheeveli with five elephants. At 8 PM valiya-vilakk is performed. The fifth day is the Palliveta day, the Palliveta being held at 8 PM. On the sixth and final day aarattu is performed at 8 AM followed by kodikkal-para, Kodi-irakkam and arattu-kanni. At dusk Niramala and Chuttu-vilakk are held. Chakyar-koottu and ottam-thullal and variety entertainments are staged on the first four days. The whole of Karkadakam month is celebrated as Ramayana month with Ramayanam recital and special poojas.

Details of the Tantri who installed the idol are not known. The present Tantri belongs to Nedumbulli mana. The Shantikkaran is appointed from Malayala Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam and adichu-tali.

Situated seven km. southwest of Irinjalakuda at Oluppukkuzha via Cheloor on Mathilakam road and thence 800 m. west, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Irinjalakuda.