Kerala, renowned for its natural beauty, is also home to many stunning temples. Explore this list of 10 divine Kerala temples that offer a spiritual and visual feast.
Kerala is a traveller’s dream, with gorgeous rivers and streams, expansive hills, picturesque settings, and thick flora packed with coconut farms.
It’s no surprise that it’s known as “God’s Own Country.” In some ways, this characteristic also appears to fit the state because it has many majestic and historic temples that are not only marvellous in terms of their heritage, folk tales, and aesthetic value but also because most of these temples are conducted conventionally with an increasing focus on rituals and practices.
As a result, a pilgrimage to these temples should be a must whenever in Kerala. Though Kerala has hundreds or even more temples, we feature the 10 most famous and frequented temples of the region.
Sabarimala Temple
Among the first images that immediately spring to mind is the Sabarimala temple, which is set on a hill surrounded by deep trees. The Sabarimala temple, situated in the Western Ghats in the district of Pathanamthitta worshipping Ayyappan, the son of Lord Shiva, and Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is attended by thousands of followers from all fields of life.
Because automobiles may only drive up to Pampa, the trek to the temple must be made by rugged woodland pathways. A considerable hike is needed to attain the shrine, and only male worshipers are permitted to visit. Women under the age of ten and then over the age of 50, however, are allowed to enter.
Ayyappa devotees show incredible faith by trekking through dense forests to reach Sabarimala Temple, perched at 914 meters above sea level. They fast for 41 days, walk barefoot through tough forest paths, and chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” to see Lord Ayyappa and seek his blessings. This historical temple has traditional Kerala-style architecture and a stunning gold-plated roof. Sabarimala Temple is open for worship only during the first five days of each Malayalam month and the pilgrim season.
Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is a tourist city in Thrissur and one of the state’s most prominent temples. It is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, also recognized as Lord Guruvayurappan. Each month, millions of people are captivated by the temple’s rituals and ceremonies. The Father or Lord of Guruvayur is depicted and characterized as a four-armed Deity, demonstrating his great abilities and enormous ability to perform many actions at once.
Lord Vishnu is shown in the centre, holding the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki, and a lotus with a sacred basil wreath. Guruvayur temple complex is renowned as the Dwarka of South India and a prominent pilgrimage site in Kerala and around India.
What sets this temple apart is its distinctive architectural style. Unlike the traditional South Indian temple design, it embraces a unique and simplistic approach reminiscent of Kerala’s traditional houses.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is among the most revered abodes of the Hindu God Mahavishnu and is located in Trivandrum, Kerala’s metropolis. It is regarded as the wealthiest temple on the globe. The temple’s construction is a combination of Keralan and Dravidian traditions, as it is the holiest site in Kerala. The temple houses an 18-foot-tall statue of Lord Mahavishnu, which provides a stunning sight for worshippers who approach the temple.
The 18-foot-tall idol of Lord Vishnu is visible through three different doors. The first door reveals the head and chest, the second the hands, and the third the feet. Visiting this temple to seek the blessings of Padmanabhaswamy (Lord Vishnu) is an awe-inspiring experience. Inside, you’ll find breathtaking mural paintings and intricate stone carvings that will leave you in awe of its beauty and grandeur.
Padmanabhaswamy (Vishnu) is seated atop the snake Adi Shesha in the “Anantha Shayana pose.” The temple’s ceremonies and visitors are thought to be stringent. Tourists are supposed to join the shrine grounds barefoot. Electronic devices and photography are banned on the grounds of the temple.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a Hindu site in the Kerala town of Attukal. Devi Bhadrakali is the major goddess idolized here. Bhadrakali is revered as the deity of wealth and protection for her worshippers. This well-known Kerala temple exemplifies the fusion of ancient Tamil and Kerala architectural traditions.
The temple is also famous for its yearly Attukal Pongala Festival. Thousands of women take an active part in the Attukal Pongala event, which has been inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Attukal Devi is commonly revered in three forms: Maha Saraswati (Deity of Knowledge), Maha Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), and Mahakali/Durga/Parvathy (deity of power).
The Chottanikkara Temple is a prime showcase of traditional Kerala temple architecture, believed to have been crafted by the divine architect, Vishwakarma. What makes this Bhagavathi Temple truly remarkable is its unique practice of worshipping the presiding deity, Chottanikkara Devi, in three distinct forms. She adorns a white attire as Saraswati in the morning, turns red as Lakshmi in the afternoon, and dons blue attire as Durga in the evening.
Mannarshala Nagaraja Temple
It is one of India’s few temples dedicated to snake Gods. The Mannarshala Nagaraja temple is located in Harippad, Kerala, and is stretched across vast acreage with several holy channels. The temple is therefore structured to encourage serpent circulation and living. All around the temple, there are 30,000 or more sculptures of serpent Gods. One of the most well-known traditions here is the ‘Uruli Kamizhthal’ or ‘laying a vessel’ pooja performed by infertile couples.
Those who are gifted with children after the pooja come back to the shrine to perform additional poojas and to reward the snakes with silver or gold statues. The Mannarshala Aayilam is a yearly temple celebration visited by thousands of worshippers. It takes place in either the month of October or November.
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple, situated close to Kottayam, is one of the country’s oldest shrines. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva and is famous for its distinctive Dravidian architecture. The temple is said to have been established centuries earlier, with refurbishment work completed in the 16th century.
The temple’s facade and interior are also covered with wall paintings. The yearly temple celebration, usually in February or March, is the best time to come since worshippers may observe several ancient ceremonies, which are interesting experiences in and of themselves.
Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple
Srikrishna temple, situated in Ambalapuzha town, is devoted to Lord Krishna, who is revered in his infant incarnation. The temple is thought to have been erected in the 17th century, and the prasadam, or sacrifice, consisting of milk, sugar, and rice, is noted for its distinct flavor. The primary figure at the Parthasarathi (another title for Lord Krishna) shrine is sculpted out of black marble and granite and holds the divine conch (shankh) in his left hand and a blow in his right.
The ideal season to travel to the temple is during the yearly temple celebration known as the Ambalapuzha temple celebration, which is hosted in July, and the Arattu Festival, which is conducted in March or April.
Chottanikkara Devi Temple
The famous Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is located in the Kochi outskirts and extends back to the 10th century CE. This is one of Kerala’s highly prominent pilgrimage sites. The three primary methods by which the supreme Goddess is adored are the key features of the Chottanikkara Devi temple. In the morning, she is worshipped as Devi Saraswati, in the midday as Goddess Lakshmi, and in the evening as Maa Durga.
There is a widespread belief that persons suffering from mental disorders can be treated here. The Makam Thozhal is one of Chottanikkara temple’s most prominent festivities. Millions of worshippers flock to the temple throughout this yearly event as well in the month of October.
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
The Vaikom Mahadeva temple, located in Kottayam, Kerala, is devoted to Lord Mahadeva or Shiva and is designed in the Keralan architectural style. The temple, renowned as the ‘Kashi of the South,’ is among the state’s oldest temples and is mentioned in several historical writings. The temple’s structure is very noteworthy. However the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) seems round from the outside, this is Kerala’s sole temple with an oval-shaped Sreekovil.
The shrine’s initial chamber is made from stone and a single block of wood. The inner Sanctorum, along with the roof, is made of marble. The yearly temple festival takes place in November or December, which is a perfect season to explore the temple in all its splendour.
Vadakkunathan Temple
Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the ancient sites in the country and also has wonderful architecture. It is situated in the state’s community centre, Thrissur. The Vadakkunnathan temple is supposed to have been built by Sage Parashuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Even though this is a Shiva temple, King Rama and Lord Vishnu are also venerated here.
The renowned Thrissur Pooram, a religious festival celebrated here in April or May, is a wonderful moment, with adorned elephants, multicoloured umbrellas, ancient drum beatings, and the joyful screams of thousands of worshippers transforming the entire environment into a holy backdrop.
What makes them truly unique is their distinct Dravidian architectural style, lush surroundings, and rich cultural heritage. These temples offer a glimpse into a little bit of history and traditions of Kerala, making them a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a deeper connection with spirituality and culture in India. The appeal reaches out to both the devout pilgrim and the admirer of art and history, promising an unforgettable and enriching experience.
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