Famous Temples In Kerala: List of 8 Sacred Hindu Kerala Temples
Kerala is a state in on the Malabar Coast in South India and is divided in 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and it boasts of a lot records – the highest literacy rate, the highest human development index, the highest sex ratio and the highest life expectancy. The cutting edge state also has a rich and vibrant history. It is perhaps the most culturally rich area in the country. It was ruled by the British, Dutch, French and Portuguese. Before colonization, it saw the rise and fall of several empires including Cheras, Advaita and Venad. It has majestic monuments to show for its vibrant history. It also has a lot of grand and well-designed temples which attract a lot of devotees. Here is the list of must visit temples in Kerala –
List of 8 Famous Temples You Must Visit In Kerala
1. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
It is one of the most popular temples in Kerala and was constructed in Dravidian Style in the 8th Century. According to sources lord Balarama visited Phalgunam, took bath inPanchapsaras and made a gift of 10,000 cows to holy men. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu and the temple is well known for its architectural superiority and grand design.
- Temple Timings: 03:45 am – 12 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:15 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Vishnu
- Best Time to Visit: 8:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Trivandrum International Airport | Nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central
2. Sabarimala Sastha Temple
According to sources, God Ayyappan meditated here after destroying the demon Mahishi which led to the creation of this temple. It is located near Periyar Tiger reserve and is famous for its pilgrimage which is performed on a large scale. The pilgrims wear blue or black dresses, smear chandan on their forehead and remain unshaven till the journey comes to an end.
- Temple Timings: 04:45 am – 12 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:15 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Ayyappan
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport | Nearest railway station is Bhagavathipuram
3. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
The presiding deity of this temple is goddess Kannaki (incarnation of Goddess Parvati) who is considered the supreme mother and the creator of all things. It also holds the record of the single largest gathering of women who participate in its AttukalPongola Festival.
- Temple Timings: 04:30 am – 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Goddess Parvati
- Best Time to Visit: 8:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport | Nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central
4. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple
It was built in the 17th Century and the presiding deity in this temple is lord Krishna. According to legend, Lord Krishna appeared in the form of a sage to the presiding king here and asked him for a game of chess. As for the prize, he told the king he has to simply give him rice grains per square with the condition that the amount doubles:- one rice grain for first square, two for second and four for third and so on. When lord Krishna won, the king realized that he has to give trillions of rice grains which he just doesn’t have in his granary. It is said that the temple gives paalpayasam of rice as Prasad to devotees to commiserate the wit an greatness of Lord Krishna.
- Temple Timings: 04:30 am – 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Goddess Parvati
- Best Time to Visit: 8:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport | Nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central
5. Chottanikara Temple
It is renowned for its architectural design which is a great example of wooden sculpture. According to legend, there was a man named Kannapan who used to live in the forest and trap young calves to offer to goddess Kali but one day he caught a black calf which he was going to sacrifice but was stopped by his daughter. He saw friendship blooming between his daughter and the calf when one day his daughter died and disappeared. He later learned that he is being denied peace because he stole calves and has to repent to the Goddess Kali till he is forgiven so he helped build the temple.
- Temple Timings: 04:00 am to 8:45 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Goddess Kali
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Cochin Nedumbassery Airport | Nearest railway station is Eranakulam
6. Guruvayoor Srikrishna Temple
It is said to be more than 5000 years old and the temple became popular during the battle between Kozhikode and Valluvanad. There is a strict dress code which asks men to wear mundu around their waist and the girls are asked to wear long skirts and blouses while the women have to enter wearing sarees. The main deity is Lord Krishna whose idol is 4 feet tall and has the conch, the chakra, the mace and the lotus in his four hands.
- Temple Timings: 05:00 am to 8:00 am, 4:30 to 6:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Krishna
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Cochin International Airport | Nearest railway station is Guruvayur
7. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The architecture style of the temple is Dravidian, with one roof above the other. Excellent and detailed murals can be found both inside and outside the wall. The sage Vyasa worshippedat this temple and it was constructed during Pandava’s reign. The temple has ornamental rooftops covered with copper sheets which make it idyllic and beautiful.
- Temple Timings: 04:00 am to 12:00 pm, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Shiva
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Cochin International Airport | Nearest railway station is Ettumanoor Railway Station
8. Vadakkunathan Temple
This temple is recognized as a National Monument of India under the AMASR Act. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva and the temple is full of carved paintings and murals that enrich it. It has multiple rooftops and monumental towers which attract a lot of devotees. The main shrine is ideal to absorb the holiness around to enhance one’s spirituality.
- Temple Timings: 04:00 am to 11:00 pm, 4:30 to 8:20 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Shiva
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Cochin Nedumbassery International Airport | Nearest railway station is Thrissur Railway Station
