When it comes to temples, probably Kerala's temples are not that well known as other South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. But they are still every bit worth a visit and carry their own way of expressing the depth of religious faith.
Dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology, the temples of Kerala are architectural delights. Built in the traditional architectural style the significant temples in Kerala include the Guruvayoor Temple, Kalpathy Temple, Sabrimala Temple, and Thriprayar Temple. Some huge and richly decorated while other small with simple decor, all speak volumes about the highly religious temperament of the people.
Traditional Hindu temples in Kerala are simple structures made of wood, brick and laterite stone. Often, from afar, the only sign that marks the presence of old temples is a tall, ceremonial flag-mast. The main sanctum hosting the deities - “Sreekovil” - is invariably a single storied building of a circular or square plan.
Inside the temples, use of oil lamps in contrast to electrical lights lends an air of serenity and mysticism. Walls of the Sreekovil are rarely left bare and are instead, covered with intricate, beautiful mural paintings or wood carvings. The sloping roof buildings are able to cope very well with the almost year-round torrential rains that are a hallmark of Kerala's climate.
Ambalapuzha Temple
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.
Chottanikkara Temple
Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The Devi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. Together, they are known as Lakshminarayana.
Sri Padmanabh Swamy Temple
A famous pilgrimage centre and one of the major attractions in Thiruvananthapuram city, the Maharaja of Travancore built this famous temple with its seven-storey carved gopuram in the Dravidian style in 1733. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings of natural pigments. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu who reclines on the sacred serpent Ananda. The image of Vishnu is 18 feet long and a lotus grows from Vishnu's navel and Brahma is seen in the lotus. Several arts forms like Krishnanattam, Koodiyattom, Pavakkoothu, Nokkuvidya, Velakali, Kathakali and others thrived under the patronage of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
Vadukkumnathan Temple
The Vadakkunnathan Temple at Thrissur is one of the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest temples in Kerala. Adi Sankaracharya is supposed to have spent his last days in this temple. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The shrines and the Koothambalam (Temple theatre), display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend says that Parasurama built this temple. This temple is famous for its Pooram Festival, which includes colorful and magnificent processions, brightly decorated elephants and fireworks.
Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of kerala. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.
Kalpathy Temple
he Vishwanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Shiva temple is situated 3 kms from Palakkad. The annual chariot temple is a gala event. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days.
Mangla Devi Temple
Mangala devi temple, the ancient temple is located 15 kms from Thekkady. It lies hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture.
Oachira Temple
Oachira Temple, Kerala Temple Travel PackagesOachira is unique place of worship with neither a structure to house an idol nor an idol around which temples are usually built. The presiding deity at this sanctum-sanctorum is the abstract principle of the 'Parabrahmam' or the 'Divine Omnipresence' or 'Universal Conciousness'.
Thali Temple
Thali Temple, located downtown is an important temple of the erstwhile Zamorin Kingdom of Kozhikode. The temple is famous for the 'Revathi Pattathanam', an annual competition of pedagogic skills.
Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple
Thiruvanaya Navamukunda Temple, near Ponnani in Malappuram district is situated on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha. Holding immense historical importance, this is the place where 'Mamangam', a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala was held here once every 12 years, in olden times.
Thiruvalla Temple
Thiruvalla Temple is one of the largest temples of Kerala and a fine specimen of its traditional style of temple architecture. The temple has many shrines though it is mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Vaikom Temple
Parasurama, the mythical founder of Kerala, is said to have built a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. The twelve-day festival of the temple falls in November -December, and is celebrated with classical dance and music performances.
Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim center crowning the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine here is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The Village of Sabarimala is named after Shabari who did severe penance in order to meet Rama. As the legend goes, touched by her devotion and faith, Lord Rama lovingly ate the half-eaten 'ber' (kind of berries) that she offered. In her simplicity, she had preferred to taste them first to ensure that they were sweet and tasty.
Dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology, the temples of Kerala are architectural delights. Built in the traditional architectural style the significant temples in Kerala include the Guruvayoor Temple, Kalpathy Temple, Sabrimala Temple, and Thriprayar Temple. Some huge and richly decorated while other small with simple decor, all speak volumes about the highly religious temperament of the people.
Traditional Hindu temples in Kerala are simple structures made of wood, brick and laterite stone. Often, from afar, the only sign that marks the presence of old temples is a tall, ceremonial flag-mast. The main sanctum hosting the deities - “Sreekovil” - is invariably a single storied building of a circular or square plan.
Inside the temples, use of oil lamps in contrast to electrical lights lends an air of serenity and mysticism. Walls of the Sreekovil are rarely left bare and are instead, covered with intricate, beautiful mural paintings or wood carvings. The sloping roof buildings are able to cope very well with the almost year-round torrential rains that are a hallmark of Kerala's climate.
Ambalapuzha Temple
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.
Chottanikkara Temple
Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The Devi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. Together, they are known as Lakshminarayana.
Sri Padmanabh Swamy Temple
A famous pilgrimage centre and one of the major attractions in Thiruvananthapuram city, the Maharaja of Travancore built this famous temple with its seven-storey carved gopuram in the Dravidian style in 1733. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings and mural paintings of natural pigments. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu who reclines on the sacred serpent Ananda. The image of Vishnu is 18 feet long and a lotus grows from Vishnu's navel and Brahma is seen in the lotus. Several arts forms like Krishnanattam, Koodiyattom, Pavakkoothu, Nokkuvidya, Velakali, Kathakali and others thrived under the patronage of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
Vadukkumnathan Temple
The Vadakkunnathan Temple at Thrissur is one of the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest temples in Kerala. Adi Sankaracharya is supposed to have spent his last days in this temple. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The shrines and the Koothambalam (Temple theatre), display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend says that Parasurama built this temple. This temple is famous for its Pooram Festival, which includes colorful and magnificent processions, brightly decorated elephants and fireworks.
Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of kerala. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.
Kalpathy Temple
he Vishwanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Shiva temple is situated 3 kms from Palakkad. The annual chariot temple is a gala event. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days.
Mangla Devi Temple
Mangala devi temple, the ancient temple is located 15 kms from Thekkady. It lies hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture.
Oachira Temple
Oachira Temple, Kerala Temple Travel PackagesOachira is unique place of worship with neither a structure to house an idol nor an idol around which temples are usually built. The presiding deity at this sanctum-sanctorum is the abstract principle of the 'Parabrahmam' or the 'Divine Omnipresence' or 'Universal Conciousness'.
Thali Temple
Thali Temple, located downtown is an important temple of the erstwhile Zamorin Kingdom of Kozhikode. The temple is famous for the 'Revathi Pattathanam', an annual competition of pedagogic skills.
Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple
Thiruvanaya Navamukunda Temple, near Ponnani in Malappuram district is situated on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha. Holding immense historical importance, this is the place where 'Mamangam', a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala was held here once every 12 years, in olden times.
Thiruvalla Temple
Thiruvalla Temple is one of the largest temples of Kerala and a fine specimen of its traditional style of temple architecture. The temple has many shrines though it is mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Vaikom Temple
Parasurama, the mythical founder of Kerala, is said to have built a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. The twelve-day festival of the temple falls in November -December, and is celebrated with classical dance and music performances.
Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim center crowning the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine here is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The Village of Sabarimala is named after Shabari who did severe penance in order to meet Rama. As the legend goes, touched by her devotion and faith, Lord Rama lovingly ate the half-eaten 'ber' (kind of berries) that she offered. In her simplicity, she had preferred to taste them first to ensure that they were sweet and tasty.
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