| The temples of Kerala are dedicated to various gods and goddesses from the Hindu mythology. An architectural delights, these temples are carved in the traditional style. Some of the significant temples in Kerala include the Padmanabhaswamy temple, Vadukkumnathan Temple, Vaikom Temple, Chottanikkara Temple, Mannarshala Temple, Ananthapura Lake Temple and the Ambalapuzha Temple. These temples reflects the religious fervor of people of Kerala |
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| Kerala temples find expression in a mixed medium of stone, brick, laterite and wood this unique approach to temple building resulted in a distinctive form of architecture, laying stress on sanctity, simplicity and a prevailing naturalism which marked the worship in temples. The earlier temples of Kerala were primarily for Shiva and Vishnu or their manifestations (Krishna, Parasurama, Rama, Vamana). Swayampradhana shrines to Ganesha, Kartikeya are of later origin |
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| The history of Kerala dates back to the Cheras of the third century BC. The temples of Kerala are referenced in the works of the Tamil Alwar Saints and the Nayanmar Saints. Kulasekhara Alwar and Cheraman Perumaal (one of the Nayanmaars)belonged to the Cheras of the ninth century AD. There are several works on temple architecture written in Kerala during the 15th and the 16th centuries. |
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| Major Temples in Kerala |
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| Padmanabhaswami Temple at Tiruvananthapuram |
| The majestic 18-feet-long idol of the principal deity at the sprawling Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is found to have been covered in gold and invaluable precious stones, spurring an unprecedented swell in the flow of devotees to the centuries-old shrine here . The chance discovery on the idol of Anantha Padmanabha -- Lord Vishnu in reclining posture on the Serpent Anantha -- was made during a restoration work of a part of the idol made of 'Kudusarkara' mixture processed with several costly ingredients, including ayurvedic herbs, and inlaid with 'Salagramam'. The idol is said to be a rare one, as 'Salagramam' is not normally used in Kudusarkara idols |
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| Attukal Bhagavathy Temple - Women's sabarimala |
| The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women, as women form the major portion of devotees. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all. The pilgrims from all over the country, who visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and worship the Lord, do not consider their visits complete without the visit to the shrine of the supreme Mother Attukalamma. Vishnumaya took the incarnation of Bhagavathy to annihilate the evil and protect the good in the world in the present Era namely Kaliyuga |
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| Ayyappan Temple at Sabarimala |
| Kerala is a land of temples; perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala, high up in the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa |
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| The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad |
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| Chettikulangara Temple at Puthupalli |
| Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Chettikulangara, Alappuzha district. Chettikulangara Bharani is an important festival of this temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The festival is held on the Bharani asterism in the month of Kumbham, according to the Malayalam calendar. The temple draws large crowds of devotees for this colourful festival |
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| Chotanikara Bhagawati Temple at Chotanikara |
| The Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple is known all over Kerala as an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Tradition has it that worshipping in the temple over a prolonged period cures many illnesses. An array of oil paintings adorns the wall of the vimana (towered sanctuary) of the temple. The festival of Navaratri (see Festivals of India) is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare in the temple |
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| "MAKOM Thozhal" (worship on the Makom day) is the most important festival of the temple which is celebrated in the month of Kumbham. (Feb / March) It is believed that Bhagavathy in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darsan to the devotees in her special appearance. The Bhadrakaali at Kizhukkavu is believed to exorcise evil spirit from devotees, after conducting bhajanam |
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| Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple at Ettumanoor |
| Mahadeva Temple at Ettumanoor is located 13 km away from Kottayam town.The 'Ezharaponnana' and 'Kedavilakku' of this temple is famous. Myths have it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple. The arattu festival of this temple is celebrated on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in Kumbham (February-March) every year. Large number of people flock to this temple on the 8th and 10th day of the festival when seven and half elephants(Ezharaponnana) made of gold (nearly 13 Kgms) will be held in public view. The temple, the wealthiest Devaswom in Kerala, has many valuable possessions |
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| Parassinikkadavu Temple |
| 18 kilometres north of Kannur, on the banks of the Valapattanam river in a setting of great natural beauty stands the Shri Muthappan Temple at Parassinikkadavu. Steeped in legend it’s a hallowed spot. Open to all this is the only place where one can see the theyyam performed all around the year |
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| Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride with trees zooming around you; the wide river opening up to the blue expanse of the sea ahead. On the way to Parassinikkadavu Temple is the snake park. The demonstration of snakes is held every hour at the snake park |
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| Siva temple -aruvippuram - Trivandrum |
| The idols in this temple where installed by Sri Narayana Guru."Sivarathri" festival,during which devotees observe fast and forgo the night's sleep and perform puja and adore Lord Siva,is famous here |
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| Tali Temple at Kozhikkode |
| About 2 km from Vadakara,this temple dedicated to Lord Siva built by the Zamorian Swamy Thirumulpad is a structure of the 14th century architectural excellence.'Revathy Pattathanam',the annual cultural event with its cognate intellectual features is indeed a discource in Sanskrit,the India's ancient and one of the world's forst languages.The temple celebrates an eight day festival every year |
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| Lokanarkavu Bhagawati Temple at Vadagara |
| At about 6km on the east of Vadakara,in the place called Memunda,this temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali,the Goddess of Bravery.Another example of a splendid architecture,the temple's walls,portray ancient paintings and carvings.The 41 day Mandala Vilakku festival is a famous here |
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| Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor |
| About 29 km west of Thrissur,Guruvayoor also known as the 'Dwaraka of the South' is where this famous temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is situated.A belief says that this was created by 'Guru' and 'Vayu'.This is a popular pilgrim spot |
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| Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha |
| The ancient Sree Krishna Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna is situated 8 miles south of Alappuzha. This temple is famous throughout Kerala for the milk porridge, 'Palpayasam' served here. At Karumadi, near by, is an image of the Buddha, a relic of the times when Buddhism flourished in the State. It is also in this temple that 'Pallipana' is performed by 'Velans' (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted in ancient times. However, cocks have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar |
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| Sri Rama Temple at Triprayar near Trissur |
| On the banks of a beautiful river near Thrissur in Kerala almost bordering the trunk road is a big temple dedicated to Sri Rama, which combines attractive location, traditional legend and superb architecture. In the dim past, this river is believed to have skirted the temple on three sides and hence the sacred place is called Thirupuraiyar or most popularly as Triprayar |
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| The main idol of Sri Rama which is installed and worshipped at this temple is believed to have been originally worshipped by Sri.Krishna at Dwaraka in Sowrashtra coast. When Dwaraka was submerged, the idol of Sri Rama was lying in the sea bed along with the further idols of Lakshmana, Bharata and shaturghna |
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| Tirunakkara Mahadeva Temple at Kottayam |
| This Temple,situated in the busy area of Kottayam is dedicated to Lord Siva.The legend has it that the idol here is 'Swayambu' and not installed.A10 day festival is celebrated annually |
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| Trikkara Temple at Trikkara near Alwaye |
| The Thrikkakara temple, located 10 kms north-east of Kochi, is considered to be the seat of famous 10 days Onam celebrations in Kerala. Thrikkakara is considered to be capital of the good asura (demon) King Mahabali, whose rule was prematurely stopped by Lord Vishnu in the diguise as a Brahmin boy, when the Hindu gods became jealous of the growing power of the generous and kind-hearted king. The Vishnu temple here is the only one of its kind to have Vamana (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu) as the deity |
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| Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy temple (Angadipuram) |
| This temple at Angadipuram,3 km on the west of Perinthalmanna is an important pilgrim centre,whose presiding deity is Goddess 'Durga'.In the months of March and April the annual festival,pooram is celebrated |
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| Kodungalur Bhagawati Temple at Kodungalur |
| Kodungallur Bhagavati temple is a unique temple dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by banyan and peepal trees. The srikovil is facing north. The western chamber of the inner temple is the seat of Sapthamatrukas (seven mothers) who also face north. The idols of Ganapathi and Veerabhadra are also found in the chamber, one facing east and the other facing west respectively. The idol of bhagawati is about six feet high and made of wood, carved from a jack fruit tree. The idol has eight arms which carry various weapons and symbols |
