The idol has four arms, holding a conch, a discus, a bow, and a garland. The temple is beautifully situated on the banks of the river 'Thirupurayar', which means "The Sacred River." Over time, the pronunciation evolved into "Triprayar."
In the late 18th century, this river developed into a part of the inland water route known as the Canoli Canal, which connects Kozhikode and Kodungallur.The temple is not only significant for its deity but also because Lord Rama here is considered the presiding deity of the Arattupuzha Pooram, one of Kerala’s major temple festivals. In addition to the main shrine of Rama, the temple complex includes shrines dedicated to Shiva as Dakshinamoorthy, Ganesha, Shastha, Krishna, and also accommodates the worship of Hanuman, Karthikeya, Chathan, and serpent gods.
According to legend, the idol of the temple was discovered by local fishermen while fishing along the beach. They handed the idol to a nearby landlord, who subsequently constructed a temple for its worship. Initially, the temple came under the ownership of the Blahayil Nair family and is now managed by the Cochin Devaswam Board. As a mark of respect and tradition, a group of fishermen visit the temple annually to honor their ancestors' connection with its origin.
Festivals
Triprayar Ekadasi is a prominent and widely celebrated festival in central Kerala. It occurs during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid-November to mid-December), on Ekadasi, the 11th day after the full moon. This particular Ekadasi is known as "Karutha Paksha Ekadasi". Devotees believe that the deity at Triprayar carries along with him certain spirits, including Chathan and other mystical presences, which is why this darker lunar phase is chosen for the celebration. In contrast, the nearby Guruvayur Temple observes Ekadasi after the new moon. The festival at Triprayar is marked by grand processions featuring caparisoned elephants, and the rhythmic, powerful performances of the traditional Melam drum orchestra.
