Temples in Kerala

indianholidays.biz gives more information about temples in Kerala and Kerala pilgrim centers

Attukal Bhagavathi Temple

Attukal Bhagavathy temple knows as the Sabarimala of women, is in Thiruvananthapuram. Attukal Ponkala, the annual festival commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February - March) and continues for nine days.

Chettikulangara Devi Temple

One of the renowned Devi temples in Kerala is Chettikulangara temple, Kayamkulam in Alappuzha. Highlights of Bharani festival, celebrated in February-March, are Kuthiyottam and Kettukazhcha. Of these, the former is performed as an offering to Bhagavathy

Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple

A big pilgrim draw, Guruvayoor is known as Kasi of South. Round the year devotees throng to worship Guruvayoorappan, little Krishna, the reigning deity

Mannarsala Temple, Harippad

Mannarasala temple at Harippad is the seat of God of Serpents. Built in a grove, the temple is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state.

Thrichambaram Sree Krishna Temple

The temple dedicated to Sree Krishna is at Thrichambaram, Kannur, 14-kms from Pappinisserry railway station. The fortnight festival begins on 22nd Kumbham (February - March).

Saraswathi temple, Panachikkad

Known as the Mookamoika of the South, this temple holds the Saraswathi Pooja every year in October/November. Children are initiated into the world of letters at the Vidyaramobham ceremony here.

Mangala Devi Temple

The ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day in April.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple

This temple, a sprawling complex with a magnificent seven-storied tower houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananthapadmanaoha (the Lord who upheld creation on a lotus which sprang forth from His navel). The 6 m image, partly covered with gold and embellished with precious stones is viewed in three sections through three doors. Historical records show that in 1750, the Maharaja of Travancore on being victorious in a battle laid down his sword and, offered himself to this temple's deity. Since then, all his successors have ruled the land as Padmanabhadadasas (servants of Padmanabha). Arattu is an important festival here.

Sree Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam

This is the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala. This 2000­year-old temple is a venue for the Bali ritual for departed souls.

Sivagiri Mutt

Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala is the final resting- place of the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The Papanasham (redemption from sins) beach here is the place where Narada is believed to have thrown his valkalam. The 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy temple here is famous for the Arattu, the annual festival celebrated in March-April.

Parabrahma Temple, Ochira

This pilgrim center owes allegiance to the Advaitha philosophy in Hinduism. The presiding deity here is the Parabrahma or 'absolute reality'. Being an abstract concept that cannot be symbolized in an iconographic manner, there is no temple structure here. The Ochirakali in the month of, June is famous.

Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt

This is the place where Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma was born. It is today the headquarters of her worldwide mission and the spiritual home of thousands of devotees.

Sree Vallabha Temple, Thiruvalla

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple houses a tank supposed to be a natural one. Ladies are allowed entry to the sanctum sanctorum only on two days. Vishu and Thiruvathira. The annual festival. Uthraseeveli is celebrated on the Makayiram asterism in Meenam (March - April).

Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula

A major attraction of this temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is the snake boat race held as part of the festival in August/September.

Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala

A well-known pilgrim center in the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. The devotees known as Ayyappas negotiate the hills to reach the shrine after undergoing 41 days of vrutham (self-imposed devotional penance). The pilgrimage season, viz.Mandala Pooja and, Makaravilakku comes between the latter half of November and the first half of January, every year. Ablution in River Pamba is considered as holy as a dip in the Ganga. The presence of Ayyappa's lieutenant Vavar makes this esteemed pilgrim centre a model of communal harmony and casteless ness. Vehicular traffic cannot go beyond Pamba and the last 5 km to the shrine can be reached only by trekking. Women aged between 12 and 50 are not allowed inside the shrine.

Pandalam

As a holy town, Pandalam ranks second only to Sabarimala. Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn here as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakozhikkal Temple on the banks of the River Achenkovil has been modeled on the Sabarimala shrine. Three days prior to the Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken from here, in a procession to Sabarimala.

Shiva temple, Ettumanoor

The deity here is considered a celebrated exorcist of evil spirits. Exquisite mural paintings and sculptures adorn the temple. The central shrine is circular, with scenes from the Ramayana. Santhana Gopala Krishna Leela and Bhagavatham carved beautifully. The annual ten-day festival falls in February/March. This temple is famed for the Ezharaponnana, (literally seven and a half elephants, the half denoting a baby elephant) and a bunch of areca nuts - all made of gold.

Erumely

Erumely is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus and Muslims. Sree Dharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The Petta Thllilal of Kanni Ayyappas (those who go for the first time to Sabarimala) is an important festival which is held in December/January. Erumely is also famous for the Vavarambalam dedicated to Vavar, the friend of Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims customarily worship here before their trek to Sabarimala.

Shiva Temple, Vaikom

Believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala, this temple is famous for the 12 day Ashtami festival in November - December.

Kaladi

The birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher of the 8'h century Kaladi houses temples dedicated to Sree Sankara, Sarada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramakrishna. On the banks of River Periyar in Kaladi is the sacred bathing ghat where Sankaracharya is said to have been caught by a crocodile and which according to legends refused to release him until Sankara's mother Aryamba permitted him to accept Sanyas" (renunciation).

Shiva Temple, Aluva

Situated on the banks of River Periyar, the Shivalinga of this temple rises out of the sandbanks of the river and is believed to have worshipped by Lord Rama. During the monsoon season the whole region gets flooded and the idol gets submerged in water. Worship is then done in a small shrine on the upper banks of the river. A dip in this river at the brahmamuhurtha (3 am) after observing the rituals of Shivarathri is considered very sacred.

Thrikkakara Temple

Onam, the festival of Kerala takes its origin from this temple, as thiruvonam is the avathara day of Lord Vamana, the presiding deity of this temple.

Chottanikkara Temple

The Goddess is revered in three forms - as Saraswathi in the morning, as Bhagavathy at noon and Durga in the evening. During the annual festival in kumbham , devotees especially women seek blessings from the Goddess.

Ramakrishna Advaitha Ashram, KaIadi

This ashram was founded by Ramakrishna Mission in 1936. In 1976, a new type of shrine, Viswakshetra representing the styles of architecture associated with temples, churches and mosques was opened here for the followers of all religions.

Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple

Guruvayoor, known as Kasi of the South is famous for the Sree Krishna temple, which has Guruvayoorappan or the infant Krishna, as the deity. Legend has it that the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods and Vayu, the God of winds. The most famous offering of the temple is Thulabharam, where a devotee presents to the deity his own body weight against products like bananas, rice etc. The Vishnu's idol here, made of rare stone is believed to possess healing qualities, especially for rheumatism. The 16th century poet Melppathur Narayana Bhattathiri, who suffered from rheumatic pain, is said to have sought relief from Guruvayoorappan, after which he composed Narayaneeyam, in praise of the Lord. Exquisite paintings around the Sreekovil depicting stories of the pranks of little Krishna stand testimony for the art of a period. The 111alldapam facing the Sreekovill is resplendent with beautiful carvings. Non-Hindus are not allowed in Guruvayoor temple.

Bhagavathy Temple, KodungaIIoor

This temple is famous for the Bharani festival .On bharani day, special nivedya (nectar) known as Variyarippayasamam is offered to Bhagavathy. This is performed by Adikals (priests). Early morning, the deity is ceremoniously taken out of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and placed on a raised pedestal for public worship. Simultaneously, the temple flag is hoisted signifying the victory of Bhagavathy over Darika (evil). After the bharani day, the temple doors remain closed for six days during which period, pooja is offered only once in a day. On the seventh day when the Sreekovil is opened, thousands have d harshan (vision) of Devi, which is considered most auspicious.

Vadakkunathan Temple

This is a classic example of the Kerala's traditional architecture. Holy shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sree Rama and Sree Krishna are housed here. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. This temple is the site for the famous Thrissur Pooram. The main vazhipaad (offering) here is ghee.

Anandashram

This was founded in 1931 by Swamy Ramdas and Mother Krishna Bhai known as Pappa and Mathaji to devotees. This spiritual centre is said to offer all kind of facilities for the spiritual regeneration.

Parassinikadavu Madapura Sree Muthapan Temple

The significant feature of this temple is the daily performance of Theyyam, the ritualistic art form of Kerala. The presiding deity is Muthappan, a manifestation of Lord Shiva in the guise of a kiratha (hunter).

Thirunelly Vishnu Temple

Tucked away in the Brahmagiri hills and encircled by the River Papanasini is Thirunelly temple. Several myths are woven around the temple. One of the mythical strands says the idol of Vishnu was installed by Brahma (creator) himself. The Papanasini River is believed to have the divine power to wipe away all the sins committed through generations. It is believed that the pithru-tharpana (oblations to manes) done here will also lead to the transformation of the spirits of the departed to salvation. The Koothambalam here is one of the best in the State and rare paintings adorn the temple walls.

Thunchan Parambu, Tirur

This is the birth- place of Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam language and the hallowed ground where children are initiated into the world of alphabets. On Vijayadasami day, people from different places come here for Vidyaramoham, the ceremony in which children are initiated into learning. The iron stylus with which Ezhuthachan wrote on palm leaves and the ancient kanjira tree (Nux vomica) under which he taught his disciples and composed his poems, are treasured exhibits here. Unlike the fruits of kanjira trees found elsewhere, the fruit of this tree is not bitter. The memorial also boasts of granite Sarawathi mandapam and a library with rare manuscripts.

Vettakkorumakan Temple, Nilambur

It starts with Kodiydtam, the hoisting of the festival flag brought by the tribes from the forest, who are warmly received by the royal family. The festival reaches a climax on Dhanu 23 with the singing of hymns in praise of the temple's presiding deity, Vettakkorumakan by the members of the Nilambur royal family, as well as the tribes. This temple is maintained by the Nilambur Kovilakam.

Navamukundha Temple, Thirunavaya

Thirunavaya, on the banks of the River Bharathapuzha, said to be the traditional headquarters of the mythical Brahmin hero, Parasurama, is a place of historical and religious significance. Thousands flock here on karkidaka vavu Day to perform the pithrukriya rites for the departed souls. The Navamukunda temple is said to be the sacred spot blessed with the presence of Saraswathi , Gayathri, Lakshmi, Parvathy, Shami, Ganga, and Yamuna.

Kadaampuzha Bhagavathy temple, Tirur

Dedicated to Kiraatha Parvathi, this is one of the most sacred Shakthi centres in Kerala. The uniqueness of the temple here is the absence of idols. Pooja is performed at a hole (about 6 cm in diameter) in the earth where the Goddess is said to have disappeared after showing her presence to Adi Sankaracharya. Poomootal i.e. offering flowers of thecchi (Ixora indica) to the hole is the important vazhipaadu . Matturakkal is another vazhipaadu that involves breaking of coconuts, the purpose of which is to remove the obstacles faced in day-to-day life

Thirumandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple, Angadippuram

Dedicated to Bhadrakaali, this is one of the ancient and renowned temples in Kerala. According to legends, King Mandhatha of Soorya dynasty, after tough meditation received from Shiva, the l illga worshipped by Parvathi. On his downward journey from Kailash he kept down the l illga at Thirumandhankunnu where it got fixed to the earth. The Shivalillgam in the Sreemoolasthanam here is split into two. This is attributed to the fight that took place between Mandhatha and Kali, who was ordered by Parvathi to get back her precious linga . Parvathi, who could not bear a separation from the linga is said to have entered it, instructing Mandhatha to install Kali near her on whose name all the pooja and festivals were to be conducted. An important custom of this festival is the arrival of Vellathiri to give audience to the Malayanlkutty, the headman of the Palla tribal community. Kalampattu is an important vazhipaadu here and is perhaps one of the longest to be performed, starting from first Vrishichikam to the end of Memam. Mallgalya pooja, Rigveda LakJharchalla and Challdattam are some of the other important poojas.

Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam.

This 2000 year old temple on the bank of river Karamana, is the only one in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala.

This temple is a venue for ancestor worship.

As part of the Bali ritual, devotees make offerings to the souls of the dear departed, after taking a dip in the holy water.