17 Most Historic Temples In Kerala You Must See In Your Lifetime
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Kerala is synonymous with natural beauty. This extremely beautiful place has the best tea plantations, hills, waterfalls, beaches and backwaters. Kerala is also home to some of the best temples in India. The state’s religious history is largely influenced by its neighbour, Tamil Nadu. Until the 3rd century AD, Kerala had been influenced by Tamil culture, which can be seen in the architecture of ancient temples in Kerala. From the 16th century, Kerala temples have Malayalam inscriptions and have their own architectural style. Unlike Tamil temples, Kerala temples are usually simple structures. This article explores some of the most famous temples in Kerala.
The most famous temples in Kerala:
Here is a list of Hindu temples in Kerala with images.
1. Ayyappa Temple Kerala:
The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is world-renowned and one of the largest pilgrimage destinations, visited by 50 million devotees every year. It is located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, a densely forested area. The main temple is located on the top of the hill and is said to be the place where Prince Ayappa meditated. It is famous for the Makaravilakku which takes place in January.
2. Guruvayoor Temple:
The Guruvayoor temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna. Located in the town of Guruvayur, this temple is called Bhuloka Vaikunta by devotees. According to legend, the statues here are more than 5000 years old and there is also a temple tank called Rudratheertham. There is a strict dress code for those entering the temple and no exceptions are allowed.
address: Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala 680101.
Temple fair time: 3:00am to 12:30pm, 4:30pm to 9:15pm.
3. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvantapuram:
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruventuram, built in Dravidian style, is the richest Hindu temple in the world and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The deity is enshrined in the “Anantha Sayanam” pose or eternal yogic sleep on Mount Adisha of the Serpent. Only Hindus are allowed in the temple and a dress code is strictly adhered to. The main festivals celebrated here are Alpashy and Panguni.
address: Sinada, East Fort, Pazarwangadi, Trivandrum, Kerala 695023.
Temple fair time: 3:30 am to 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
4. Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple in Mullassery:
Pathiyanadu Sree Bhadrakali Temple, located in Mullassery near Thiruvantapuram, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. It has a shrine to the goddess Bhadrakali as the main deity, who is the daughter of Lord Shiva. There is also the idol of the goddess Kali. Many festivals are celebrated inside the temple such as Swayamvara Parvathi puja, Grahalakshmi puja, Grahadosha Nivarana puja, Balithooval, Sarppabali, Kalamkaval, Dikkubali, Parnettu, Nilathilporu, Aaraattu and Pongala.
address: Mullassery, Vazhayila – Kallayam Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695564.
Temple fair time: 4:00am to 12:30pm, 4:00pm to 7:30pm.
5. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Attukal:
Located in Attukal, the Attukal Bhagavathy temple is dedicated to the goddess Kannaki, a form of the temple’s main deity, Parvati. The temple is world famous for its annual Attukal Pongala festival, which is attended by more than 1 million women. The 10-day festival is a grand event and other festivals are celebrated as Mandala Vratham, Pooja Vyapu, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Shivaratri and many more.
address: Attukal, Attukal – Chiramukku Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695009.
Temple fair time: 5:00am to 12:30pm, 5:00pm to 8:30pm.
6. Andoor Kandan Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Neyyattinkara:
The Andoor Kandan Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is located in Neyyattinkara, southeast of Thiruvantapuram. The main god of the temple is the god Kandan Sree Dharma Sastha. There are other deities like Ganapathy, Durga Bhagavathy, Easwara Kala Bhoothanan, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi as well as elephant idols at the entrance. The annual festival celebrated at the temple is Makaravilakku Mahotsavam.
address: Tholady, Karakonam, Parassala Vellarada Road, Thiruvananthapuram – 695504.
Temple fair time: 6:00am to 7:00pm.
7. Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple in Edava:
Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple is located in Edava in Thiruventuram district and is dedicated to Bhadrakali Devi, the main god here. There are many sub-gods such as Goddess Annapurna, Lord Ganesha, Navagraham, Adityan, Hanuman, Brahma Lakhas, Yoggswaran and Nagarukavu . Held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, Karthika Thirunal Mahatsovam is an annual festival where the entire city is dedicated to the temple.
address: Varkala Edava Kappil Road, Vettakada, Edava, Kerala, 695311.
Temple fair time: 5:30 am to 10:30 am, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
8. Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram:
Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple located in Thiruventuram is an ancient Hindu temple with over 600 years of history dedicated to Goddess Chamundi. The Panchaloha idol of Goddess Karikkakathamma is a form of Chamundi and is enshrined in temples. Goddess Chamundi is worshipped in the temple in three different forms namely Maha Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi and Bala Chamundi. There are other shrines like Ganapati, Sastha, Bhuvaneshvari, etc. An annual festival widely celebrated in temples is Pongala.
address: Karikkakom, Karikkam, Trivandrum, Kerala 685007.
Temple fair time: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
9. Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram:
The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Kerala Temple is located in the East Fort in the city of Thiruventuram and is dedicated to the main deity Sri Maha Ganapathy or Ganesha. The temple also houses other deities such as Dharmasasta, the goddesses Durga and Nagaraja, as well as 32 different forms of sculptures of Ganesha. The main festivals celebrated here are Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanthi, Virad Chaturthi and many more.
address: Padmavilasam Road, Pazhavangadi, Padma Nagar, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023.
Temple fair time: 5:00 am to 11:30 am, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
10. Sarkara Devi Temple in Chirayinkeezhu Taluk:
Sarkara Devi Temple is located in Chirayinkeezhu Taluk in the north-west of Thiruvanthapuram district. The main deity of the temple is Bhadrakali, who is also the main deity here. The Kaliyoot festival is the most popular festival in the temple, except for the Meena Bharani festival, which comes in second place, the temple is packed with devotees.
address: Pandakasala Sarkara Road, Sarkara, Chirayinkeezhu, Kerala 695304.
Temple fair time: 4:30 am to 11:30 am, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
11. Thirupalkadal Sreekrishnaswamy Temple at Keezhperoor:
Thirupalkadal Sreekrishnaswamy Temple in Keezhperoor Village is one of the oldest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, another form of Vishnu who is also the main deity here. The temple was built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The outer wall of this temple has a Garbagraha with Brahma and Shiva. Built between the 6th and 9th centuries, this temple is also considered to be one of the 108 main Divya Desams or shrines of the Vishnu sect.
address: Ponganadu Puthusserymukku Rd, Peroor Post, Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695601.
Temple fair time: 5:00 am to 9:00 am, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
12. Dali Temple:
Thali Temple is the oldest temple in Kerala and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in the 14th century by Swami Tirumalpad, a Samorin of Calicut at the time. This ancient temple is located in Kozhikode. It is said that lingam was installed by Parasuram at the end of Dwaparayugam. Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple under the name Umamaheswara.
address: Tali Rd, near Zamorins School, Markazudaawa, Palayam, Kozhikode, Kerala 673002.
Temple fair time: 5:00am to 9:00pm.
13. Temple of Etumanur:
The Temple of Ettumanoor, the residence of Lord Shiva, is located in Kottayam. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and was rebuilt in 1542 AD. According to legend, Pandavas and Vyasa Maharshi worship Lord Shiva in this temple. It takes its name from the word “manor”, which means land of deer. Ezhara Ponnanna is the most anticipated and celebrated event in the temple.
address: Ettumanoor Temple Rd, Ettumanoor, Kerala 686631.
Temple fair time: 4:00 am to 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
14. Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple:
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. The temple is said to have been built by local rulers between the 15th and 17th centuries AD. The idol of Krishna is worshipped in the form of Patassarati, who holds the whip in his right hand and the Sankkam in the other. The temple is famous for its Payasam Prada made of rice and milk.
address: SH 12, Ambalapuza, Kerala 688561.
Temple fair time: 6:00am to 11:30pm.
15. Tirunelli Temple:
Thirunelli Temple is the shrine of Sri Maha Vishnu and is located on the side of Brahmagiri Mountain at an altitude of 900m. According to legend, the place got its name from the word Nelli, which means Amla tree. It is believed that Lord Brahma found the idol of Vishnu under a gooseberry tree, hence the name. It is said that until today, Brahma also came to this temple to worship Vishnu.
address: Thirunelly, Mananthavady, Kerala 670646.
Temple fair time: 5:30am to 12:30pm, 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
16. Vadakkunnathan Temple:
This is another ancient temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Trisur city and exhibits typical Kerala architecture. The temple is famous for its many murals showing various scenes of Mahabharat and is therefore recognized as a National Monument. It is said that the temple was built by Parasurama. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.
address: Swaraj Round N, Kuruppam, Thekkinkadu Maidan, Thrissur, Kerala 680001.
Temple fair time: 5:00 am to 11:00 am, 5:00 pm to 6:25 pm.
17. Chottanikkara Temple:
Chottanikkara Temple is a very famous temple in Kerala dedicated to Goddess Mahala Kashmi. This temple is located in Chottanikkara, Kochi. This is one of the richest temples in Kerala and has a wood carving architectural style like the Sabarimala Temple. It is believed that people with mental illness can recover after visiting this temple.
address: Chottanikkara, Kochi, Kerala 682312.
Temple fair time: 3:30 am to 11:30 am, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Region wise list of top 5 temples in Kerala:
1. Trivandrum:
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple
- Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
- Old Srikanthwara Temple
- Major Vilayani Devi
2. Colum:
- Kottarakkulam Sree Mahaganapathy Temple
- Valiya Koonambaikulam Temple
- Sree Puthiyakavu Bhagavan Temple
- Sree Umamaheshwara Swami Temple
- Ashramam Sri Krishna Swamy Temple
3. Alappuzha:
- Kidangamparambu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple
- Venkatachalapathy Temple (Mullakkal)
- Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha
- Chakkulathukavu Goddess Temple
- Chetty Kurangara Bhagavati Temple
4. Patanantita:
- Malala Puza Goddess Temple
- Thazhoor Bhagavathi Temple
- Sri Kodumthara Subrahmanya Swamy Temple
- Omalloor Sree Rakthakantaswamy Temple
- Pandaram Mahadeva Temple
5. Kottayam:
- Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
- Thali Er Mahadeva Temple
- Kumaranalloor Karthyayani Devi Temple
- Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
- Pali Pratuka Temple
6. Iduki:
- Mangala Devi Kannaki Temple
- Ulupooni Sree Arthanareeswara Temple
- Sri Krishnaswamy Temple
- Kozhikanandvi Temple
- Villapara
7. Ernakulam:
- Ernakulam Shiva Temple
- Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple
- Meitian Temple
- Thrikkakkara Vamana Moorthy Temple
- Motian Temple
8. Terry Sur:
- Sri Vadakkumnathan Shiva Temple
- Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple Thrissur
- Thiruvanbatisri Krishna Temple
- Pu Kunan Shiva Temple
- Urakathamma Thiruvadi Temple
9. Palakkad:
- Supreme Shrine
- Sree Emoor Bhagavathy…