St.
Mary's Church, Cheriyapally- This church
contains exquisite murals and paintings of Biblical
and non-Biblical thems.
Thirunakkara
Siva Temple - Built in the indigenous
style of architecture, this temple has many
interesting paintings on its walls. The sanctum-sanctorum
is covered with pictures from the epics. Three
festivals are celebrated here in Thulam (Oct-Nov)
Mithunam (Jun-Jul) and Meenam (Mar-Apr)
of which the last one is the most important.
The 'Aarattu', conducted on the last day of
the festival, is the festival, is the festival
of Kottayam, irrespective of the caste and creeds.
The main festival Phalguna Utsavam is celebrated
during March.
The Mosque
at Thazhathangadi is one of
the ancient mosques in India which is made in
the old Kerala style. It is believed that malik
Dinar had built this mosque about 1000 years
ago. Now it is an important pilgrim centre at
Kottayam. The artistic value of this mosque
is of special interest to the tourists.
Goodshepherd
Church situated behind the civil station
at Kottayam, this is the first church of Diocese
of Vijayapuram. The construction of this church,
which is completed in Italian style, was completed
in 1882 and was renovated in 1964. The feast
at St. Sebastian is on 20th January and that
of Good Shepherd, is from 10th to 12th April.
Vimalagiri (Angathattu Palli) is the cathedral
of the Dioceses of Vijayapuram.This church,
constructed in Gothic style. The main steeple
has a height of 172 ft., which is considered
as the highest church steeple in the state.
Vimalambika is the deity here. The main feast
is in December. This church is situated near
Kottayam railway station. The chief ecclesiastical
dignity of the Orthodox Syrian Church, the Catholics
of the East, has his head quarters in Devalokam
Aramana at Muttambalam Catholic Church, Latin
Catholic Church and the Church of South India
have their Head quarters in Kottayam. The Arch
Bishop of Changanassery who follows the Syro-malabar
rite, has his Head Quarters in Changanassery.
The Bishops of Knanaya Jacobite and the Church
Mission Society have their headquarters at Chingavanam
and Kurichy respectively.
Ettumannoor:
The Siva Temple here, built in 16 AD, is a good
specimen of the indigenous Kerala Style of temple
architecture. The shrine contains exquisite
mural paintings and sculptures depicting scenes
from Hindu mythology. Nearby is a mural art
centre, preserved by the state Archaeological
Department. The annual festival of the temple
is celebrated for ten days during February/March.
Bharananganam:
The church here, containing the mortal remains
of Sister Alphonsa is one of the important pilgrim
centres of the Christian in Kerala.
Erumeli:
Located on the bank of Manimala river, Erumeli
is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus and
Muslims. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight
here at the Sastha temple to worship the deity.
These pilgrims also offer prayers at an ancient
mosque here.
Alappuzha:
Ambalapuzha:
The Sree Krishna Temple here, built in the typical
Kerala architectural style, is famous all over
Kerala for "Palpayasam", the daily
offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge,
which tastes like rice pudding. It is also in
this temple that pallipana is performed by Velans
(sorcerers) one in twelve years Human sacrifice
was conducted in ancient times. However cocks
have now replaced humans on the sacrificial
altar.
Mannarasala:
Situated near Harippad, is is a serpent shrine
under the patronage of a Brahmin family, headed
by a priestess. Legend has it that the first
priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five
headed snake, which is believed to reside in
the ancestral houses to safeguard the family.
At Mannarasala barren women are believed to
be blessed with children, and a special turmeric
paste available at the shrine is credited with
powers to cure even leprosy.
Arthunkal:
The St. Sebastian's Church here is an
important Christian pilgrim centre. Annual festival
Arthunkal Perunnal - the feast of the patron
saint (January).
Cochin:
The
St. Francis Church here is the oldest
church built by an European power in India.
This Protestant church was built by the British,
and Vasco Da Gamma was initially buried here.
The church is located at Kamalakada near Fortkochi
beach. The Santacruz Basilica nearby, has some
very beautiful paintings on the ceiling.
Aluva:
An important pilgrim centre and summer resort.
The Periyar river widens here and is therefore
ideal for bathing and picnicking. The annual
Sivarathri Festival is celebrated on the banks
of the Periyar during March/April. Aluva is
also an important industrial centre.
Chottanikkara
Devi Temple
Kodungallur
Devi Temple
Malayattor
Church
A
famous church at the hill tops
The
Rock Cut Cave Temple : The Rock Cut Siva
temple, is of great archeological significance.
Dating back to the 8th century AD, this temple
bears close resemblance to the Pallava style
of architecture. The stone engravings here are
among the earliest specimens of stone sculpture
in Kerala.
Maramon
: Situated near Kozhencherry, Maramon is
the venue of a mammoth religious convention
of Christians from all over the world. It is
attended by people from all communities. The
convention which is usually held in February
is addressed by religious thinkers and Christian
scholars from all over the world. This is perhaps
the largest Christian convention in Asia.
Thrissur
:
Vadakkunathan Temple: One of the most
ancient temples in the state, the Vadakkunathan
temple contains many decorative wall paintings
and historically important pieces of art. The
temple itself, with its thick mansonry walls
and lofty gopurams is a classic example of the
Kerala style of architecture. Exquisite wooden
carvings can also be seen in the central shrines.
The Pooram Festival here, is celebrated in April-
May, on a grand scale.
Guruvayoor:
It is one of the most sacred and imported pilgrim
centers of Kerala. Its main attraction is the
Sree Krishna temple known as 'Guruvayoor Ambalam'.
This historic temple is shrouded in mystery.
According to belief, the temple is the creation
of Guru, the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu
the Lord of Winds. The eastern nada is the main
entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam
(outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 mt. high
gold plated Dwajasthambam (flag post). There
is also a 7 mt. high Deepasthambham (pillar
of lamps), whose 13 circular receptacles provide
a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square
Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of
the temple which houses the main deity. Within
the temple there are also images of Ganapathy,
Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy.
Irinjalakkuda
Koodal Manikam Temple: This temple
is situated 10 Km. away from Irinjalakkuda railway
station. This ancient temple is dedicated to
Lord Bharatha, the brother of Lord Sree Rama.
It is perhaps the only temple in India with
Bharatha as the deity. The colourful annual
festival with thirteen caparisoned elephants
is held for eleven days in April-May every year.
Festivals in this temple mark the end of the
Hindu temple festival season in Kerala.
Kannur
:
Kottiyoor:
There is a famous Siva Temple here, on the banks
of the Bavail river. Lakhs of devotees attend
the annual 27 day long festival during May -
June.
Sree
Ramaswami Temple, Thiruvangadi: The temple
dedicated to Sree Rama is one of the most prominent
temples in Malabar. The exquisite carvings in
the temple are said to have been done nearly
400 years ago.
Parassini
Kadavu Temple & Snake Park: Sri. Muthappan
Temple stands on the banks of the Valapattanam
River. This pilgrim centre is famous for the
Muthappan Theyyam performed every morning and
evening. The DTPC provides pleasure boating
on the river near the temple. Accommodation
is available nearby. The Snake Park is the only
one of its kind in the state and perhaps, in
the whole of India. There are three snakes pits,
fifteen glass cases for snakes and two large
glass houses for King Cobras in the park. Snake
demonstrations conducted every hour draw large
number of visitors.
Kollam
:
Ochira
: The unique feature of this famous pilgrim
centre is that there is no deity or idol at
the famous Para Brahma temple dedicated to universal
consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid June and the
twelve day 'Panthrandu Vilakku' in November/December
are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali
is a mock fight enacted between groups of men
dressed as warriors an the padanilam (fighting
spot). They perform a martial dance standing
in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields,
and splashing water every direction. There are
frequent buses from Kollam and Alappuzha.
Matha
Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikkavu : The
residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi
Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu.
The Ashram is accessible both by road and boat.
Kozhikode:
Tali
Temple: Built in the 14th century by
Swami Thirumulpad, the Zamorian, within his
palace complex, this temple was the venue of
Revathy Pattathanam the annual culture and intellectual
event at eh Zamorin's court.
Others
Pooram at Arakkal Temple (Mar/Apr)
Lokanarkavu Temple (Two annual festivals Mar/Apr,
Nov/Dec )
Utsavam at Pishrikavu temple (March)
Sivarathri
Utsavam at Sreekandeshwara Temple (Feb/Mar)
Malappuram:
Thirunavaya:
Situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha,
this is a place of great historical importance.
The Bharathapuzha, this is a place of great
historical importance. The Mamangam, a grand
assembly of the rulers of Kerala was held here
once every 12 years in olden times. This extravagant
festival was held for the last time in 1755.
Today Thirunavaya temple is also a famous pilgrim
centre.
Thali
Temple, Perinthalmanna: The temple, is located
about 3 Km west of Angadipuram, is dedicated
to Goddess Durga, this is an important pilgrim
centre in Malappuram. The annual Pooram festival
celebrated in March/April attracts large gatherings
of devotees.
The
Jama-at Mosque 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.
Pazhayangadi
Mosque Kondotti: The three day long Valia
Nercha feast at this 500 years old Muslim pilgrim
centre, celebrated in February/March, is more
of a local cultural event with people from all
communities participating.
Pallakad:
Jain
Temple Of Jaininedu: Situated on the western
suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway
station this historic 32 feet long 20 feet wide
granite temple display images of the Jain Thirthankareas
and Yakshinis. The region around the temple
is known as Jainmedu, is one of the few places
in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have
survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet
Kumaran Asan wrote his monumental poem Veenapoovu
(the Fallen Flower).
Wayanad:
Thirunelly
Temple: Surrounded by Kambamala. Karimala
and Varadiga, the Thirunelly temple is a marvel
of temple architecture. The shrine is shielded
with 30 granite. The crystal clear waters of
the Papanasini river running downhill adds to
the enchantment of the place.
Thiruvananthapuram
:
Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple - The temple,
located near the bus stand at
East Fort, is the city's most impressive landmark.
Its 7 stored gopuram built in the 16th Century
is one of the finest specimens of traditional
South Indian temple architecture which reflects
the Kerala influence. The temple corridors are
lined with 368 sculpted stone pillars. Beautiful
murals and ornamentation adorn the walls. Temple
was renovated by the Maharaja of Thiruvithamcore
in 1733. Only Hindus can enter the temple, wearing
dhoti in a certain style.