Sree Subramanya Swami Temple, Perunna

Located 20 km from Kottayam, Perunna Muruga Temple is the place where a Very Ugra Bhava of Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped.The idol of Lord Muruga of this temple unique. There is a specialty in this idol, comparing with other idols in temples. The Vel which the Lord is holding is pointed downwards. Muruga is worshipped here in the bhava of "devasenapathi" and he is in a very angry mood as he had just killed 'Tharakasura". The main festival is Pallivetta utsavam (November - December)

Siva Temple, Vaikom

Situated 40 km away from Kottayam, the temple is associated with the legendary Parasurama. This temple is a typical example of the Kerala style of temple architecture. More popular as the Kasi of the South, this temple is famous for its elephant pageants and traditional art performances.

Annual festival: Vaikathashtami (November/December)

Kodungalloor

The small country town of Kodungalloor is situated 35 km South of Thrissur. Kodungallur situated on the West coast, was once a great port of the Chera rulers of Tamilnadu. It was known by the Greek as the Muziris and is a place immersed in rich history. Kodungalloor is surrounded by backwaters and the sea is also famous as Cranganore and has an illustrious past. It is said to be the place where St. Thomas first preached Christianity in India.

Cheraman Juma Masjid: This mosque in Kodungalloor resembles a Hindu temple in appearance. It was earlier made of wood. Built in 629 A.D., this is the first mosque in India where Juma prayers were started. Recent changes have been made and it now has concrete minarets. The interiors remain wooden with a Kerala oil lamp right in the centre. This lamp is of great significance to people of all religions. Some of them bring oil for the lamp on the auspicious occasion of major family events.


Kodungalloor Bhagawati Temple: The Bhagawati Temple at Kodungallur is of great renown throughout Kerala. The Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagawati Temple is one of the grandest in Kerala. It is a month of festivities from the Bharani asterism in the month of Aquarius to seven days after the Bharani asterism in the month of Pisces. During this occasion, one can also witness the largest congregation of oracles, not seen anywhere in Kerala.

The Bharani festival also witnesses the offering of worship to the deity in the innermost sanctum by those belonging to castes other than the priestly class. One day before the final Bharani, the Chandanapodi Chartal or the smearing of the image with sandal paste is carried out.

St.Thomas Church: Christ's apostle St Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor (formerly called Muziris) in 52 AD. The St.Thomas Church established by him houses ancient relics.

St. Thomas is portrayed in the gospels as a courageous and challenging personality. He had preached the gospel from Ethiopia to China. Many a church in West Asia considers him as the father of its faith. At Kodungalloor, he established the first Christian church in India and is the architect behind other Churches in Kerala: Kodungallur, Kottakkavu, Palayur, Kollam, Kokkamangalam, Niranam and Nilackal.

Other places of interest nearby Kodungalloor include Cheramanparambu, the ancient Thiruvanchikulam Temple, and the Portuguese Fort.

Getting there:

By road: You can reach Kodungallur from Thrissur's Shakthan Thampuran stand.

Nearest railway station: Irinjalakuda, about 20 km.

Nearest airport: Nedumbaserry International Airport at Kochi, about 60 km.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Located inside the East Fort, this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Serpent. The idol, plated in gold and made out of a rare composition known as katu-sarkara-yogam, is acclaimed as a marvel. It is also noted for its mural paintings and stone carvings. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

(Open 0415 - 0515 hrs, 0645 - 0715 hrs, 0830 - 1115 hrs, 1145 - 1200 hrs, 1700 - 1815 hrs, 1845 - 1930 hrs)

Dress code: Men - Dhoti without any upper clothing; Women - Saree or full skirt and blouse; Handbags, mobile phones, cameras etc. not allowed. Ph: 2450233

Website: padmanabhaswamytemple.org

Kadampuzha

(3 km north of Vettichira on the highway connecting Kozhikode and Thrissur) Kadampuzha is famous for its Bhagavathy temple said to have been set up by Sree Sankaracharya, the philosopher.

Thirunavaya

(8 km south of Tirur) Situated on the banks of the River Bharathapuzha, this was one of the venues for Mamangam, a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, held once every 12 years. This extravagant festival was conducted for the last time in 1766. Today, Thirunavaya is the venue for the annual Sarvodaya Mela. The Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple is also a famous pilgrim centre. During Karkidakavavu, people flock at the banks of River Bharathapuzha here, to perform the pithrukriya for the departed souls. The site of Melpatthur Illam, the home of the great poet, Melppatthur Narayana Bhattathiri; author of Narayaneeyam, is about 2 miles from here

Mamburam

The shrine and mausoleum of the Thangals (the religious leaders of the Malabar Muslims) in A R Nagar village is a major pilgrimage centre

Guruvayoor

Location: 29 km West of Thrissur.

Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. 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. Within the Chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 m high gold plated Dwajasthambam (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 houses 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.

Website: www.guruvayurdevaswom.org

Getting There:

Nearest railway station: Guruvayoor, enquiry: Ph: 2554300 2556820
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 87 km.

Train timings

From Ernakulam: 0720, 1120, 1305, 1720, 2125 hrs
From Nagarcoil: 2125 hrs (via Thiruvananthapuram)
From Thrissur: 0710, 1120, 1305, 1720, 2125 hrs

By road: Guruvayoor is connected by road with several important cities of India. (KSRTC enquiry: 0487-2556450)

Madhur Temple

(8 km northeast of Kasaragod, on the banks of the Madhuvahini River. Open 0500 - 1230 hrs, 1730 - 2000 hrs) The Srimad Anantheswara Vinayaka Temple, with its unique three-tiered dome, copper-plated roofing and a cloistered court rises majestically against the beautiful landscape of the Madhuvahini River. Believed to contain the essence of spirituality, a cleansing dip here is considered to be purifying. Ph: 04994-240240

Sabarimala

Sabarimala : The hill Temple of Lord Ayyappa

(72 km from Pathanamthitta town, 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. Mandalapooja 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).

People of all castes and creeds are permitted into the temple. However, entry is not allowed to women between 10 and 50 years of age.

Website:www.sabarimala.org
Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla about 102 km.