Located in Payammal, Thrissur, the Shatrughna Swamy Temple is amongst the few temples in India that are dedicated to Lord Shatrughna, Lord Rama's youngest brother from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The Shatrughna Temple is among the four temples which devotees visit while they embark on Nalambalam (Four Temples) yatra. Nalambalam is considered a very sacred event during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Three main poojas are performed at this Temple - Usha pooja, Athazha pooja and Utcha pooja. The temple opens for darshan in two sessions. The first session starts at 4:30 am and ends at 10 am. The second session begins at 4:30 pm until finally, the temple closes at 8 pm.
While the other three temples have a circular Sreekovilil (Sanctum) here, the sreekovil is rectangular. The idol, made from granite exudes a capturing kind of divinity. A lamp is lit behind the athrughna idol inside its Sanctum. It is believed that this lamp is for the wife of lord Shatrughan, who was called Sruthakeerthi. The architecture of the temple is done in the distinct Kerala style by making lavish use of wood due to the rich forest cover in those areas.
A five-day festival is celebrated at this temple that starts on the Pooyam star of Kumbha month when submission of Sudarshana Chakra and Sudarsana Pushpajali are offered which is considered to boost the prosperity of the family members of the devotees. The visit to Payammal Shatrughna temple marks the end of the Nalambalam Yathra.