PilgrimCenters

Guruvayoor 
Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods, and Vayu, the God of winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the Chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 m high gold plated Dwajathambam (flag post). There is also a 7 m high Dipastambham (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple there are also the images of Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Edathedattu Kavil BhagaVathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Sabarimala 
It is, 191 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 210 km from Kochi: One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot from Pamba (4 km). The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa. Pilgrim season: November to mid January. Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during vishu (April). Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla (102 km) People of all castes and creeds are permitted into the temple. However, entry not allowed to women between 10 and 50 years of age.

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Kaladi 
Kaladi near to Angamali is pilgrim center on the banks of Periyar. It is also the birth place of the great Indian Philosopher Sri Adi Sankara Acharya. There are two shrines of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. One dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other to Goddess Sarada, maintained by the Sringeri Mutt. On the same premises there is a spot, Vrindavan where Adi Sankaracharya's mother Aryamba was cremated. In addition to it there is a an ancient Srikrishna Temple close by which was the family temple of Sankaracharya. Another temple known as International temple dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna Deva has been built with a hope that it would become a temple for all religions and an abode of peace.
 
Sri Sankara took to Sanyasa, (renunciation) at the spot of Crocodile Ghat. According to legend it was here that the crocodile caught hold of Sri Sankara, mother Aryamba permited him to accept Sanyasa and the crocodile disappeared.
 
Malayattur 
The famous Catholic Church of Malayattur is on a height of 609 meters and is dedicated to St. Thomas who had landed the Kerala coast in 52 AD. Thousands of devotees undertake a trip to the shrine to participate in the annual festival Malayattur Perunnal in March. St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.
 

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The Jama-at Mosque, Malappuram
 This 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. 

St Andrew's Forane Church Arthunkal
Arthumkal Church is famous for the St. Sebastian's church which is situated south west of Cherthala town 22 Kms north of Alappuzha. The famous Arthumkal Perunal is held in January every year. Catholics from all parts of the state participate in the feast of
St. Sebastian.

Vadakkunnatha Temple
Location: Downtown Thrissur.
A prominent Siva Temple, this is one of Kerala’s most ancient shrines which also houses a museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of immense historical value. The ‘Pooram’ festival, falling in April/may, attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world. It is a spectacular event, combining majestic elephant pageantry with the frenzied playing of drums and cymbals and rounded of with a fireworks extravaganza.

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Koodalmanikyam Temple
Location: 21 Kms fromThrissur.
The only temple in India dedicated to Bharata, who, according to mythology, was the brother of Lord Rama. This ancient temple with a unique deity hosts a colourful eleven-day annual festival with a display of twelve caparisoned elephants. Falling in April/May, this festival marks the end of Hindu festival season in Kerala.

Arattupuzha
Location: 14 Kms from Thrissur.
The place owes its fame to yet another Pooram festival celebrated in April – May. The images of 41 deities from neighboring temples are brought with much pomp and gaiety to the village. This is amongst the most colorful festivals of Kerala where one gets the opportunity to see a parade of around 50 caparisoned elephants in full regalia.

Thrithala
Location: 75 Kms from Palakkad.
On the banks of the Bharathappuzha. Of archaeological importance are the ruins of a large fort with a deep moat hewn from laterite and the Kattil Madam temple, a domed structure of granite slabs on the Pattambi-Guruvayur road. Built around the 9th and 10th century, the temple probably marks the transition from Chola to the Pandya style of architecture.

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Kalpathy
Location: 3 Kms from Palakkad.
The Viswanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Siva temple, is situated here. The annual chariot festival of the temple is a gala event.

Kondotty Mosque
Location: 18 Kms from Manjeri.
Situated at Kondotty on the Malappuram – Kozhikode route, this mosque is believed to date back to the 18th Century. It is commonly known as Pazhayangadi and is associated with the Muslim Saint Mohammed Shah, popularly referred to as ‘Kondotty Thangal’. ‘Kondotty Nercha’, the main festival, falls in March.

Thirunavaya
Location: 8 Kms south of Tirur.
Situated on the banks of Bharathappuzha River, this was the venue of the ‘Mamankam’, a congregation of rulers of local provinces to choose an emperor. It was an event held once in every 12 Years. Now, a marital arts festival of ‘Kalarippayattu’ is conducted during summer on the sand banks of the Bharathappuzha.

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Lokanarkavu
Location: 5 Kms from Vadakara.
A temple frequently alluded to in the northern ballads or the ‘Vadakkanpattu’ of Kerala. The three rock art caves in the temple premises are artfully engraved with beautiful carvings and fascinating murals. The main deity is Goddess Durga, with two adjacent shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Siva. The main temple, according to legend, is more than 1500 years old. The annual festival called ‘Pooram’ is celebrated in March/April.

Thali temple
Location: Downtown Kozhikode.
An important temple of the erstwhile Zamorin Kingdom of Kozhikode. Famous for the ‘Revathi Pattathanam’, an annual competition of pedagogic skills. A square sanctorum with a ‘Mukhamandapam’, very high laterite walls and an expansive temple pond are some of the specialties of this Siva temple. The annual festival falls in April/May.

Thirunelli Temple
Location: 30 Kms northeast of Mananthavadi.
Legend has it that this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu was built by Lord Brahma (The Creator). An architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks. Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve the soul of all its sins, is situated nearby.

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Puliyarmala Jain Temple
Location: 5 Kms north of Kalpetta.
A prominent Jain temple devoted to Ananthanatha Swami, one of the prominent Jain Saints.

Madayi Mosque
Location: 22 Kms from Kannur.
Malik Ibn Dinar, a Muslim preacher, originally built this beautiful ancient mosque in 1124 AD. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca by its founder, who came to India to spread the word of the Prophet. Nearby is a dilapidated fort believed to have been built by Tippu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.

Parassinikkadavu
Location: 18 Kms from Kannur.
A scenic spot on the banks of the Valapattanam River. The Madappura Sree Muthappan temple here is an important Hindu shrine. This is the only temple in Kerala where ‘Theyyam’, a ritual dance form is performed every day. To catch a glimpse of Theyyam, it is best to visit the temple when the pooja is held between 5 and 8 a.m., or 6.30 and 8.30 p.m. Liberal customs allow non – Hindus too into the temple to watch the performance. The annual festival falls in December. The Kathakali club in the temple arranges Kathakali performance on request.

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Ananthapura Temple

Location: About 13 Kms from Kasaragod.

Renowned for the lake temple of Anantha Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu. The temple, constructed in the middle of a lake, is uniquely picturesque. The annual festival of the temple falls in March/April.

Malik Dinar Mosque
Location: Situated at Thalankara.
A Muslim pilgrim center. Believed to be one of the ten earliest mosques built in India, subsequent to the advent of Islam in the country. Built by a Muslim preacher Malik Mohammed Dinar, whose tomb lies adjacent to the mosque.

Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
Amabalappuzha Sreekrishna Temple on the Kollam-Alappuzha Highway is called the Dwaraka of the South. It is frequented by thousands of devotees especially during the annual festival which falls in April every year.'Ambalappuzha palpayasam' the devotional delicacy of the temple, is renowned for its unique taste.Ambalappuzha is also famous for the traditional visual martial art of Kerala, Velakali.

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Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarassala near Harippad 32 Kms. south of Alappuzha is an important centre of pilgrimage in the district. The famous Mannarassala temple devoted to the serpent deity is a rare phenomenon of worship. The Ayilyam festival held in November every year is very famous.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Padmanabha Swamy Temple : The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.

Rameshwara Temple
This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.which is situated at kollam district.

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Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Only women are allowed at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Trivandrum during the pongala. Festival highlights include preparation of pongala by thousands of women devotees in the temple courtyard. The chief priest to the temple goes around carrying the sword of the Goddess, blesses the devotees, sprinkles holy water and flower petals on them, procession of the deity's idol, Thalapoli, Kuthiyottam, Caprisoned elephants, Chendamelam, Nadaswaram, Kumbhamkudam, Classical music recitals, Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali. Deity of the temple: Goddess Bahagavathy.

Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple
This Mahotsavam (grand festival) is at Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple, Chenganoor, 35 kilometers from Kottayam. This is the only temple in Kerala, which conducts a twenty eight-day annual festival. The last ten days are the most important. Festival highlights: Spectacular procession in the mornings and evenings, all night Kathakali for two nights, Arattu, Thiruvathirakali, Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal, Kavadiyattam, Mayilattam, Karakkattam, Ammankudam. Deities of the temple: Lord Siva & Sree Parvathi.

Jewish Synagogue
Built in 1568 AD, the Synagogue still has the sacred scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates, which recorded the grants of privilege bequeathed by the Kochi rulers. The exquisite hand painted blue Chinese tiles are another interesting sight. Not one of the nearly two hundred year old tiles resembles another. There are also several finely wrought gold and silver criwns gifted to the Synagogue by various patrons.

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Bharananganam Church
Also known as Anakkallu Palli is an important pilgrim centre in Kottayam district.The mortal remains of blessed sister Alphonsa who died on 28th July 1948, is kept there. Thousands of devotees come here on 28th July every year to pray on her death anniversary. Bharanarganam is 5kms from Pala.

Edathua Church

Established in 1810, the church is dedicated to St. George.It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the blessings of the saint.

Manjanikara Church

Mar Ignatius Elias 111, the holy patriot of Anthiod while on a visit to India, died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved at this church. Later this place developed into a pilgrim centre. The annual festival (ormaperunnal) is held in February.

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Parumala church

(10km from Thiruvalla): The ormaperunnal (commemoration day) of Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, is celeberated on the first and second of November.