Temples Of Kerala

A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites is called Mandir or Kovil (Tamil) or Devasthanam or Dega (Nepal Bhasa) or Ambalam (Malayalam) or other words in different Indian languages. It is usually dedicated to a primary deity called the presiding deity, and other deities associated with the main deity. Most practicing Hindus maintain a 'mandir' in their homes for daily worship.

Hindu Festivals

Kerala is a land of temples with numerous temples. You can enjoy colourful festivals - Aarat and Pooram - with grand elephant processions.

Arattu (holy bath) is ritual connected with the closing of a festival. The idols of deities are carried in a procession to the river for the holy bath. The purified idols are then escorted back to the temple accompanied by a grand elephant pageant, 'panchavadyam', 'nadaswaram' and 'chendamelam'.

The major Hindu pilgrim centres in Kerala are Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple, Thrissur Vadakkum Natha temple, Sabarimala temple

Thiruvananthapuram

Pilgrim centres in Thiruvananthapuram

Sri Padhmanabha Swami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Attukal Devi Temple, Thiruvananthapuram (Listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest gathering of women in the world") | Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam | Mandakkattamman Temple, Iraniyal, Kalkkulam | Thiruvattar Mahavishnu Temple | Chitharal Bhagavathy Temple, Kuzhithura | Sri Mahadeva Temple, Parassala | Srikrishna Temple, Neyyattinkara | Ottashekharamangalam Shiva Temple, Vellarada | Valiyashala Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Srikanteswaram Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Devi Temple, Shankumukham | Aniyoor Sribhagavathi Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Aruvippuram Shiva Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | Sri Balasubramanya Temple,Ullur | Thrippadapuram Temple, Srikaryam | Srimahadeva Temple, Kazhakkuttam | Sri Durga Temple, Aruvikkara | Sri Mutharamman Temple, Nedumangad | Sri Bhagavathy Temple, Chirayinkeezh | Sharkara Devi Temple, Chirayinkeezh | Sankaranarayanaswami Temple, Navayikkulam, Attingal | Devi Temple, Thiruvarattukavu, Attingal | Sri Janardhanaswami Temple, Varkala | Palakavil Devi Temple, Edava | Vaikuntapuram Vishnu Temple, Parippalli - Sivagiri temple (Narayana Guru built a hermitage on top of the Sivagiri hill and stayed there).

Kollam

Sri Narasimha Swami Temple, Anayadi, Kollam (81 elephants) - Parippaly Bhadrakaali Temple (Gajamela) - Ammachiveedu Devi Temple - Bhagavathy Temple, Mannatikkavu, Kollam - Visharikkavu Bhadrakali Temple, Mannamangalam, Kollam - Dharmashastha Temple, Achankovil, Kollam - Dharmashastha Temple, Aryankavu, Kollam - Kottarakulam Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, Kollam - Rameshwaram Shiva Kshetram, Anchukallumoodu, Kollam - Ashramam Srikrishna Temple, Kollam - Anandavalleeswaram Temple, Kollam - Mukhathala Srikrishna Temple, Kollam - Thirumullavaram Mahavishnu Temple, Kollam - Umikkicham Veedu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Main Road, Kollam - Sree Maha Ganapaty temple, Thamarakulam - Ochira Parabrahma Temple , Karunagappally - Balasubramanyaswami Temle, Panmana, Karunagappally - Devi Temle, Chavara, Karunagappally - Poruvazhi Dhuryodhana Temple, Kunnathoor.

Pathanamthitta

Pilgrim centres in Pathanamthitta

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple - Rektha Kanda Swamy Temple, Omallur (4 km from Pathanamthitta) is famous for Vayal vanibham (annual cattle fair) held in the month of Meenam - Kottarakkara Ganapathi Temple, Kottarakkara - Pattazhi Bhagavathi Temple, Kottarakkara - Velinallur Sriramaswami Temple, Kottarakkara - Sri Dharmashastha Temple, Kulathuppuzha - Sri Mahalingeswara Temple, Adoor - Ezhamkulam Devi Temple, Adoor - Sri Valiya Koikkal Temple, Panthalam - Sri Mahadeva Temple, Nilakkal - Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula - Thiruvalla temple (pre Christian era temple with beautiful corridors of granite and a natural pool) - Sri Vallabha Temple, Thiruvalla - Muthoot Devi Temple, Thiruvalla - Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Anaprambal, Tiruvalla - Panayannarkkavu Bhadrakali Temple, Parumala, Thiruvalla - Thiruvalla Mundayamparamba Devi Temple - Puthenkavu Devi Temple, Nedumprom, Thiruvalla - Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple, Nilakkal, Laha - Sri Ganapathy Temple, Pamba.

Alappuzha

Mullakkal Bhagawathy Temple, Alappuzha - Pazhaveedu Bhagwathy Temple, Alappuzha - Kottamkulangara Temple, Alappuzha - Vettikulamkara,Alappuzha - Sri Subramanya Swami Temple, Harippad - Mannarsala temple, Harippad - Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple - Chettikulangara Sri Bhagavathy Temple, Mavelikkara - Shastha Temple, Thakazhi - Vethalan kavu Temple, Krishnapuram, Kayamkulam - Angadickal devi temple, Chenganoor - Bhagavathy Temple, Chengannur - Mahavishnu Temple, Puliyur, Chengannur - Mahadeva Temple, Chenganoor - Sastamkulangara Narasimhamurthy temple, Chenganoor - Dhanvanthari Moorthy Temple, Mavelikkara - Bharanikkavu Devi Temple, Kattanam, Mavelikkara - Bhadhrakali Temple, Mankompu - Varanattu Bhagavathy Temple, Cherthala - Sri Karthyayani Temple, Cherthala - Thuravur Mahadeva Temple, Cherthala - Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple, Mararikkulam, Cherthala.

Kottayam

Pilgrim centres in Kottayam

Thirunakkara Temple, Kottayam - Ettumanur Mahadeva Temple (architectural beauty with beautiful mural paintings, 16th C)- Devi Temple, Kadampuzha, Ettumanoor - Vaikom Mahadeva Temple - Udhayanapuram Temple, Vaikom - Erumeli Shastha Temple - Vavar Swami Temple, Erumeli - Sri Mahavishnu Temple, Mukkuttuthara, Erumeli - Sri Mahavishnu Temple, Thrikkodithanam, Changanassery - Palli Bhagavathy Temple, Neelamperur, Kottayam - Parippil Mahadeva Temple, Parippu, Kottayam - Bhadrakali Temple, Pallippurathukavu, Kottayam - Panachikkad Sarasvathi Temple, Kottayam - Shastha Temple, Pakkil, Kottayam - Kilirur Kunninmel Bhagavathy Temple, Kottayam - Bhagavathy Temple, Kumaranellur, Kottayam - Sri Subramanya Svami Temple, Kidangur - Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthuruthy - Adhithyapuram Surya Temple, Kaduthuruthy - Malliyur Ganapathi Temple, Kaduthuruthy - Subramanyaswami Temple, Iravimangalam, Kaduthuruthy - Kailasapuram Temple, Kaduthuruthy - Lakshmana Swami Temple, Mulakkulam, Piravom - Pazhur Perumthrukkovil, Piravom - Vamanamurthy Temple, Vellur - Mudakkari Bhagavathy Temple, Vellur - Ilankavu Mahadeva Temple, Vadayar, Thalayolapparambu - Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva temple.

Idukki

Pilgrim centres in Idukki District

Mangala Devi Temple, Kumaly - Sri Krishna Temple, Thodupuzha - Sri Narasimhamurthy Temple, Thykadu, Thodupuzha.

Ernakulam

Pilgrim centres in Ernakulam District

Shiva Temple, Ernakulam - Sri Krishna Temple, Chittur, Ernakulam - Sri Bhavaneeswara Temple, Palluruthi - Chottanikkara Devi Temple - Sri Ganapathy Temple, Edappally - Ponekkara Bhagavathi Temple, Elamakkara - Nagaraja Temple, Ameda, Thrippunithura - Sri Poornathrayeesa Temple, Thrippunithura - Thamarakkulangara Shastha Temple, Thrippunithura - Sri Vallabha Temple, Poothotta, Thrippunithura - Perumthrukkovil Mahadeva Temple, Udayamperoor - Sri Narasimhamurthy Temple, Perumbilly, Mulanthuruthy - Vamanamurthi Temple, Thrikkakkara - Vana Durga Temple, Kalamassery - Elanjikkal Temples, Eloor, Udyogamandal - Sri Naranathappan Temple, Eloor, Udyogamandal - Pattupurakkal Bhagavathi Temple, Eloor, Udyogamandal - Uliyannur Temple, Aluva - Sri Krishna Temple, Aluva - Thiruvairanikkulam Temple, Kaladi via, Aluva - Sri Kallil Bhagavathy Temple, Perumbavoor - Sri Krishna Temple, Chelamattom, Perumbavoor - Mahadeva Temple, Thrikkariyur, Kothamangalam - Sarasvathy Temple, Avanamkodu - Dhakshina Mukambi Temple, N.Paravur - Neeleswaram Mahadeva Temple, Pattanam, N Paravur.

Thrissur

Pilgrim centres in Thrissur

Vadakkumnatha Temple, Thrissur - Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur - Mammiyur Temple, Guruvayur - Uthralikkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Vadakkanchery - Sri Paramekkavil Bhagavathi Khetram, Thrissur - Thiruvambadi Lord Krishna Temple, Thrissur - Ammathiruvadi Temple, Urakam - Sri Vailikulagara Bhagavathi Temple, Kakkassery - Mahadeva Temple, Peruvanam - Sri Rama Temple, Thripayar - Sri Hanuman Temple, Nattika, Thripayar - Arattupuzha temple (Pooram of 61 caparisoned elephants) - Koorkanchery Sree Maheswara temple - Bhagavathi Temple, Kodungallur - Thiruvanjikkulam Mahadeva Temple, Kodungallur - Mathilakam Mahadeva Temple, Kodungallur - Sathrughna Temple, Payamel - Lakshmana Temple, Muzhikkulam - Koodalmanikya Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Pambummeykkattu Temple, Mala, Irinjalakkuda - Sri Mahavishnu Temple, Thirumittakkode - Sri Karthyayani Temple, Pazhayanadakkavu - Sri Durga Temple, Paruvasseri - Mahadeva Temple, Chovvallur - Bhagavathi Temple, Pazhayannur - Sri Muruka Temple, Thiruviluamala - Cherpu Bhagavati(Devi) Temple, Cherpu - Cherumukku Mahavishnu temple - Kizhe Thrikkovil Temple, Cheruvathery - Midhunappilli Shiva Temple, Thrissur - Poonkunnam Shiva Temple, Thrissur - Viyyoor Shiva Temple, Thrissur.

Palakkad

Kalpathi Temple, Palakkad (Ratholsavam in Nov) - Brahmeeswaran Temple, Palakkad - Killikkurussi Mahadeva Temple, Palakkad - Manappullikavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palakkad - Nellikkulangara Annapoorneswari Temple, Nenmara (Vallangi Vela) - Kalikavil Bhagawathy Temple, Mathur, Palakkad Celebrates Kooth Festival (April - May) - Anjaneya Mandir (Gangothri NAgar), Nemmara - Vayambatta vishnu temple, Kolathur, Nemmara - Kattilmadom Temple, Pattambi - Sri Krishna Temple, Pattambi - Sri Durga Temple, Njangattiri, Pattambi - Kattakambal Temple, Pazhanji - Poockulangara Bhagavati Temple, Kunisseri - Maangottukavu Temple, Athipotta - Sri Parakkattu Kavu, Kavassery - Puthukkulangarakavu, Alathur - Sri Krishna (Thrikkanadevan) Kshethram, Kattussery - Siva Temple, Thrippallur - Bhagavathi Temple, Vadakkanthara - Hemambika Temple, Kallekulangara - Siva Temple, Pallavur - Perunkulathu Bhagavathy Temple, Kottayi - Vayilliamkunnu Bagavathy Temple, Kadampazhipuram.

Malappuram

Pilgrim centres in Malappuram

Sri Varaha Temple, Panniyur, Kuttippuram - Nava Mukunda Temple, Thirunavaya, Kuttippuram - Sri Hanuman Temple, Alathiyur, Tirur - Chamravattom Ayyappa Temple, Tirur - Shiva Temple, Thrikandiyur, Tirur - Mukkola Temples, Ponnani - Sri KandaKurumba Bhagavathi Temple, Kottathara, Ponnani - Thrikkavu Sri Durga Bhagavathi Temple, Ponnani - Thirumandham Kunnu Bhagavathi Temple, Perinthalmanna - Sri Subramanya Temple, Karikkad, Manjeri - Sali Gramam Temple, Arikkode - Devi Temple, Kadampuzha, Kottakkal.

Kozhikkode

Pilgrim centres in Kozhikode

Thali Siva Temple, Kozhikkode - Siva Temple Arakkiladu, Badagara - Lokanarkavu Temple, Badagara - Sree Valayanad Devi Temple, Govindapuram.

Wayanad

Valliyurkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Mananthavady - Thirunelli Temple, Brahmagiri Hill, Kalpetta - Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Kshethram - Anantha Swami Jain Temple, Puliyarmala, Kalpetta.

Kannur

Pilgrim centres in Kannur District

Sarasvathy Temple, Pallikkunnu, Kannur - Sri Muthappan Temple, Parassinikkadavu - Thodeekkulam Shiva Temple, Kannur - Annapoorneswari Temple, Cherukunnu, Kannur - Kadalai SreeKrishna Kshethram, Kannur - Jagannatha Temple, Thalassery - Thiruvangad Sreerama Temple, Thalassery - Mahadeva Temple, Kottiyur - Sri Rajarajeswari Temple, Thalipparambu.

Kasarkod

Ravaneshvaram Temple, Bekal, Kanjangadu - Iritty Kodoth Bhagavati Temple, Kodoth, Kanjangad - Madiyankulam Bhadhrakali Temple, Hosdurg - Ananthanatha Swami lake Temple, Kasargod.

Hindu festivals of Kasarkod