| Kerala
is rich in places of worship , with a secular tinge. As well
historically noted fo its cohesive culture. The major places
of worship are listed.
1.
The lake temple at Ananthapura :
12
km, east of Kasargod town, Anathapura is famous for lake temple,
believed to be the original seat of Anathapadmanabha , Shri
Padmanabha Swami Temple Trivandrum .
2.
Thrichambaram Vishnu Temple , Thaliparambu :
20
kms , north east of Kannur , Taliparambu is famous for the
tenth century Trichambaram Vishnu Temple, a finest piece of
of medieval temple architecture.
3.
Muthappan Temple , Parachinikkadavu
Situated
on the Valappatanam river banks , 18 kms away from Kannur
. Presiding diety Muttappan is believed to be the reincarnation
of Lord Shiva. Teyyam , the ritual dance performed daily .
A distinguishing feature of the temple is the unusual offering
of fish and toddy to the diety.
4.
The Maha Vishnu Temple , Thirunelli :
Thirunelli
,a beautiful landscape 42 kms from Manathavadi , Wayanad District
offers the panaromic view of the Brahmagiri Hills with an
idyllic charm of the enticing nature . Thrunelli is renowned
for the famous Maha Vishnu Temple , popularly known as the
Southern Kashi. The idol of the temple , Maha Vishnu is believed
to be installed by Brahma himself . The river flowing besides
, Papanaashini , is believed to havethe mystical powers to
wash off one’s sins.
5.
Navamukunda Temple , Thirunavai , Malappuram
Thirunavai
is 8 kms south of Tirur , comprising of historical and religious
significance.
Navamukunda temple , the Banaras of the south is believed
to have been founded by Nine Great Saints . The historically
noted ‘Mamankam’ festival , the grand assembly for rulers
of Kerala , was being conducted here. This festival is believed
to be initiated by the famous Chera Emperor , Cheraman Perumal
.
6.
Punarjani Guha ( Cave Of Rebirth )
It
is situated 2 kms from Thiruvillwamala Temple , Pallakad .
It is a natual 15 mts long tunnel in the rocky cliff. The
main deity Shree Rama , presides over the cave and the idol
is believed to be born on its own. The religious performance
to wash away one’s sins , to attain rebirth is named ‘Noozhal’
( Crawling through the tunnel) . Only men are permitted to
perform the Noozhal.
7. Shri Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor
One
of the most famous and important religious centers in India
, Guruvayoor is hailed as ‘ The Dwaraka Of South ‘. The temple
dates back to 16th Century , dedicated to Lord Krishna worshipped
as Guruvayoorappan . The popular belief is that th templewas
created by Guru , the preceptor of Devas and Vayu , the Lord
of Winds. It is well known that the famous Sanskrit devotional
work , ‘Narayaneeyam’ is composed at the feet of Lord Guruvayoorappa.
Devotees in thousands flock the temple daily with different
types of offerings for the blessings of Guruvayoorappan.
8.
Vadakkunnadhan Temple , Thrissur
One
of the renowned temples dedicated to Lord Shiva , Vadakkunnadhan
is one among the largest temples of Kerala. Aadi Shankaracharya
is believed to have spent his last days in the temple , a
classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The shrines
and Koothambalam ( Temple Theatre ) are famous for the exquisite
wood carvings . the legendary temple , said to be built by
Prashurama hosts the internationally famous tourist attraction
THRISSUR POORAM . The POORAM is religious festival with magnificent
pageantry of brightly decorated elephants and fire works.
9.
Aadi Shankara Sthoopam , Kaladi
The
venerable sage , Aadi Shankara took birth at Kalady , a pilgrim
center,45 kms from Cochin , on the banks of river Periyaar.
Two shrines , memoirs of Aadi Shankaracharya -One to Aadi
Shankara as Dakshinaamoorthy and other to Saradamba - rae
maintained by Shringeri Mutt.
10.
Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple
Vaikkom
, 40 kms from Kottayam is a renowned temple town on the Eastern
banks of the expansive Vembanaad Lake is famous for the ancient
Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The legendary temple
is believed to be constructed by the mythological Parashurama.
The 12 day Ashtami festival during Nov / Dec is famous for
the religious and traditional temple dances and music performances,
with a tinge of colorful elephant processions. It is also
believed that Lord Shiva gave Darshan to the venerable sage
Vyaghrapaada Muni at the temple precincts.
11.
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple , Kottayam
Thirunnakara
Mahadeva temple , one of the famous temples dedicated to Lord
Shiva is situated at Kottayam. The wall paintings and the
annual temple festival are religious and tourist attractions.
12. Ambalapuzha Shree Krishna Temple
14
kms south of Alappuzha , Ambalapuzha is famous for the Shree
Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha Paalpayasam ( A sweet porridge
of milk , rice and sugar ) and Ottantullal , a solo dance
performance of the highest social significance.
13.
Sabarimala
The
well known forest temple and secular pilgrim center is in
the terrains of the western ghats , is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa
. the 5 kms stretch from Pamba to Sabarimala shrine can be
reached only by trekking . During the pilgrimage season Nov
to Jan millions throng the holy temple irrespective of caste
creed and religion for the blessings of Lord Ayyappa.
14.
Parthasarathi Temple , Aranmula
The
famous Parthasarathi Temple is situated at Aranmula , 10 kms
from Chengannur on the Trivandrum - Kottayam route , in the
Pathanamthitta district. The temple town Aranmula is surrounded
by green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. Aranmula
is well known across the globe for the hand made polished
metal mirror called
‘Aranmula Kannadi ‘ and the snake boat races held in connection
with the temple festival during Aug – Sep.
15.
Janardana Swamy Temple and Shivagiri Mutt, Varkala
Varkala
a beautifull beach resort and pilgrim center, 40 kms from
north of Thiruvananthapuram is famous for the Janardana Swamy
Temple and the internationally famous Shivagiri Mutt , devoted
to Shree Narayana Guru , a radical social reformer and a great
sage .
16.
Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram .
The
Travancore Maharaja built this Dravidian style temple with
seven storey carved Gopuram in the early 1700s. The temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on the sacred serpent Anantha
is famous for the innumerable pillars , intricate carvings
and mural paintings. The idol of Vishnu , 18 feet long and
a Lotus grown from the navel with Brahma is a masterpiece
of art. Temple arts like Pavakkoothu , Kathakali , Velakali
and Nokkuvidya thrived under the patronage of Shree Padmanabha
Swamy Temple.
17.
The Glass Temple at Kottamunda , Waynad
The
one and only Jain temple dedicated to Parswanatha Swamy ,
the third Thirthankara of the Jain faith is situated at Kottamunda
on the slopes of Vellarimala , 20 kms from the headquarters
of Waynad district , Kalpetta. The glass temple is significant
for the mirrors inside the temple walls reflecting magnificent
image patterns of the icons in the temple sanctum sanctorum.
18. Cochin Synagogue , Fort
Kochi
The
oldest synagogue in India built in 1568 has a holy collection
of the Great Scrolls of Old Testament , the recorded copper
plates in which the Cochin rulers made their grants of privilege
and the breath taking Chinese hand painted tiles.
19. The Mother of God Cathedral , Kozhikode
The
church is a congregation of scintillating Italian architecture
and skillful Indian craftsmanship. The headquarters of the
Latin Catholics in Malabar , the church , is built in Gothic
style. Noted in history as the donor of the land for the church,
Zamorin , gave all the encouragement to propagate Christianity
. Vasco da Gama , the renowned Portuguese sailor landed at
Kappad , near the church.
20.
Saint Thomas Church , Palayoor
The
oldest church in India built by Saint Thomas Apostle in AD
52 is situated at Palayur , Chavakkad near Thrissur.
21.
Saint Thomas Church , Malayattoor
The
church is 45 kms from Ernakulam and important among the Catholics
is set atop the 609 mt Malayattoor hill. Being one of the
most important Christian pilgrim centers, the church attracts
devotees from all over south India. Of late , The Malayattoor
has been declared the international pilgrim center. The first
Sunday after Easter is a very important ay at Malayattoor
and the church has a life size statue of Saint Thomas and
the feet of the apostle is imprinted on a rock.
22.
Saint Francis Church, Fort Kochi
India’s
oldest, European built Protestant church built in 1503 by
the Portuguese , now an Anglican church since 1795 accommodates
Tomb Stone of Vasco da Gama who did in Kochi in 1524.
23.
Bharananganam Church
It
is an important Christian pilgrimage center. The mortal remains
of Sister Alphonsa is interned in a chapel . The thosand year
old church has an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary .
24
Saint Mary’s Church , Kottayam
Known
as Valiyapalli ( Big Church ) built in 1550 AD , the church
is famous for its 8th Century Persian Cross with the Pahlavi
Inscription. Near the Valiyapalli , St. Mary’s Church ( Cheriya
Palli – Small Church ) is situated built in 1579 AD the church
houses some Biblical murals and paintings.
25.
Saint Andrew’s Church , Arthunkal , Alleppey
The
church is situated at Arthunkal , Cherthala , 22 kms north
of Alleppey. The church better known as Arthunkal Church was
established by the Portuguese Missionaries.
26.
Maramon Convention
It’s
an internationally famous Christian congregation attended
by world famous religious preachers conducted on the banks
of a beautiful Kerala river at Pathanamthitta . The congregation
is attended by thousands of devotees .
27.
Cheraman Juma Masjid , Kodungalloor , Thrissur
The
famous mosque was established in 1629 AD at Cranganore , Kodungalloor.
An important religious center of historical importance, the
masjid dates as back as the Chera Dynasty.
28.
Kizhakke Juma Ath Mosque , Kallupalam , Alleppey
The
mosque is more than 450 years old and a venerable place of
worship in the surroundings .
29.
Padinjare Shafi Juma Masjid , Alleppey
The
Masjid is 800 years old and has a social influence on the
lives of the people around .
30.
Beema Palli , Thiruvananthapuram
The
mosque is dedicated to Beema Beevi a pious pilgrim lady ,
said to have divine powers. The Chandanakudam Festival in
October is an important festival promoting religious harmony.
31.
Vavar Palli , Erumeli , Pathanamthitta
The
mosque dedicated to The Legendary Vavar, the intimate friend
and accomplice of Lord Ayyappa is very famous among the Ayyappa
devotees. The Ayyappa devotees, on their way to Sabarimala
pay their homages to Vavaru Swami at Erumeli Mosque . The
mosque is a finest cradle of religious harmony in Kerala.
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