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Guruvayoor: Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred
and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction
is the Sree Krishna temple.
Sabarimala: One of the most famous pilgrim centres
in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges
of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 m above sea
level and is accessible only by foot from Pamba (4 km).
The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa.
Kaladi: Kaladi near to Angamali is pilgrim center
on the banks of Periyar. It is also the birth place
of the great Indian Philosopher Sri Adi Sankara Acharya.
Vadakkunnatha Temple: A prominent Siva Temple, this
is one of Kerala’s most ancient shrines which also
houses a museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings
and art pieces of immense historical value. The ‘Pooram’
festival, falling in April/may, attracts devotees and
tourists from all over the world. It is a spectacular
event, combining majestic elephant pageantry with the
frenzied playing of drums and cymbals and rounded of
with a fireworks extravaganza.
Koodalmanikyam Temple: The only temple in India
dedicated to Bharata, who, according to mythology, was
the brother of Lord Rama. This ancient temple with a
unique deity hosts a colourful eleven-day annual festival
with a display of twelve caparisoned elephants. Falling
in April/May, this festival marks the end of Hindu festival
season in Kerala.
Arattupuzha: The place owes its fame to yet another
Pooram festival celebrated in April – May. The
images of 41 deities from neighboring temples are brought
with much pomp and gaiety to the village. This is amongst
the most colorful festivals of Kerala where one gets
the opportunity to see a parade of around 50 caparisoned
elephants in full regalia.
Thrithala: On the banks of the Bharathappuzha.
Of archaeological importance are the ruins of a large
fort with a deep moat hewn from laterite and the Kattil
Madam temple, a domed structure of granite slabs on
the Pattambi-Guruvayur road. Built around the 9th and
10th century, the temple probably marks the transition
from Chola to the Pandya style of architecture.
Kalpathy: The Viswanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest
Siva temple, is situated here. The annual chariot festival
of the temple is a gala event.
Thirunavaya: Situated on the banks of Bharathappuzha
River, this was the venue of the ‘Mamankam’,
a congregation of rulers of local provinces to choose
an emperor. It was an event held once in every 12 Years.
Now, a marital arts festival of ‘Kalarippayattu’
is conducted during summer on the sand banks of the
Bharathappuzha.
Lokanarkavu: A temple frequently alluded to in the
northern ballads or the ‘Vadakkanpattu’ of
Kerala. The three rock art caves in the temple premises
are artfully engraved with beautiful carvings and fascinating
murals. The main deity is Goddess Durga, with two adjacent
shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Siva. The main temple,
according to legend, is more than 1500 years old. The
annual festival called ‘Pooram’ is celebrated
in March/April.
Thali temple: An important temple of the erstwhile
Zamorin Kingdom of Kozhikode. Famous for the ‘Revathi
Pattathanam’, an annual competition of pedagogic
skills. A square sanctorum with a ‘Mukhamandapam’,
very high laterite walls and an expansive temple pond
are some of the specialties of this Siva temple. The
annual festival falls in April/May.
Thirunelli Temple:Legend has it that this temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu was built by Lord Brahma (The
Creator). An architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces
supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge
square granite blocks. Papanasini, the holy mountain
spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve
the soul of all its sins, is situated nearby.
Parassinikkadavu: A scenic spot on the banks of
the Valapattanam River. The Madappura Sree Muthappan
temple here is an important Hindu shrine. This is the
only temple in Kerala where ‘Theyyam’, a ritual
dance form is performed every day. To catch a glimpse
of Theyyam, it is best to visit the temple when the
pooja is held between 5 and 8 a.m., or 6.30 and 8.30
p.m. Liberal customs allow non – Hindus too into
the temple to watch the performance. The annual festival
falls in December. The Kathakali club in the temple
arranges Kathakali performance on request.
Ananthapura Temple: Renowned for the lake temple
of Anantha Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu. The temple, constructed
in the middle of a lake, is uniquely picturesque. The
annual festival of the temple falls in March/April.
Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple: Amabalappuzha Sreekrishna
Temple on the Kollam-Alappuzha Highway is called the
Dwaraka of the South. It is frequented by thousands
of devotees especially during the annual festival which
falls in April every year. 'Ambalappuzha palpayasam'
the devotional delicacy of the temple, is renowned for
its unique taste.Ambalappuzha is also famous for the
traditional visual martial art of Kerala, Velakali.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple: Mannarassala near
Harippad 32 Kms. south of Alappuzha is an important
centre of pilgrimage in the district. The famous Mannarassala
temple devoted to the serpent deity is a rare phenomenon
of worship. The Ayilyam festival held in November every
year is very famous.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple: The temple is located inside
the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend
of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.
It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings.
One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the
presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on
anantha the serpent.
Rameshwara Temple: This temple which shows Pandyan
influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating
from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster
sculptures in this temple give one the impression that
the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the
stairs with their outstretched paws.which is situated
at kollam district.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple: Only women are allowed
at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Trivandrum during the
pongala. Festival highlights include preparation of
pongala by thousands of women devotees in the temple
courtyard. The chief priest to the temple goes around
carrying the sword of the Goddess, blesses the devotees,
sprinkles holy water and flower petals on them, procession
of the deity's idol, Thalapoli, Kuthiyottam, Caprisoned
elephants, Chendamelam, Nadaswaram, Kumbhamkudam, Classical
music recitals, Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali.
Deity of the temple: Goddess Bahagavathy.
Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple: This Mahotsavam
(grand festival) is at Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple,
Chenganoor, 35 kilometers from Kottayam. This is the
only temple in Kerala, which conducts a twenty eight-day
annual festival. The last ten days are the most important.
Puliyarmala Jain Temple: A prominent Jain temple
devoted to Ananthanatha Swami, one of the prominent
Jain Saints.
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Malayattur: The famous Catholic Church of Malayattur
is on a height of 609 meters and is dedicated to St.
Thomas who had landed the Kerala coast in 52 AD. Thousands
of devotees undertake a trip to the shrine to participate
in the annual festival Malayattur Perunnal in March.
St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.
St Andrew's Forane Church Arthunkal: Arthumkal
Church is famous for the St. Sebastian's church which
is situated south west of Cherthala town 22 Kms north
of Alappuzha. The famous Arthumkal Perunal is held in
January every year. Catholics from all parts of the
state participate in the feast of St. Sebastian.
Bharananganam
Church: Also known as Anakkallu Palli is an important
pilgrim centre in Kottayam district.The mortal remains
of blessed sister Alphonsa who died on 28th July 1948,
is kept there. Thousands of devotees come here on 28th
July every year to pray on her death anniversary. Bharanarganam
is 5kms from Pala.
Edathua Church: Established in 1810, the church
is dedicated to St. George.It is believed that prayers
and offerings at this church help to heal all mental
disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast
(5th, 6th and 7th of May) pilgrims from all parts of
South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit
the church and seek the blessings of the saint.
Manjanikara Church: Mar Ignatius Elias 111, the
holy patriot of Anthiod while on a visit to India, died
at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved
at this church. Later this place developed into a pilgrim
centre. The annual festival (ormaperunnal) is held in
February.
Parumala church: The ormaperunnal (commemoration
day) of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint
of Malankara Orthodox Church, is celeberated on the
first and second of November.
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The Jama-at Mosque, Malappuram: This is an important
pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day
annual festival at the mosque (nercha) is celebrated
in April. Adjoining the mosque is the mausoleum of the
Malappuram Shaheeds (martyrs) whose brave exploits have
been immortalised in the Mappila ballads.
Madayi Mosque: Malik Ibn Dinar, a Muslim preacher,
originally built this beautiful ancient mosque in 1124
AD. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed
to have been brought from Mecca by its founder, who
came to India to spread the word of the Prophet. Nearby
is a dilapidated fort believed to have been built by
Tippu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.
Kondotty Mosque: Situated at Kondotty on the
Malappuram – Kozhikode route, this mosque is believed
to date back to the 18th Century. It is commonly known
as Pazhayangadi and is associated with the Muslim Saint
Mohammed Shah, popularly referred to as ‘Kondotty
Thangal’. ‘Kondotty Nercha’, the main
festival, falls in March.
Malik Dinar Mosque: A Muslim pilgrim center.
Believed to be one of the ten earliest mosques built
in India, subsequent to the advent of Islam in the country.
Built by a Muslim preacher Malik Mohammed Dinar, whose
tomb lies adjacent to the mosque.
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