KERAL PILGRIM CENTRES

KERALA PILGRIM CENTERS

THE CAVE TEMPLE

A rare entity among the temple architecture of Kerala, cave temples is few and arouses great curiosity. The one at Ittiva at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district is one such temple, virtually carved out from a gigantic piece of rock, lying in the middle of a paddy field. From a distance this architectural wonder gives the impression of a sleeping elephant. This rock cut temple represents the vibes of an ancient culture and also the traditional artistic excellence prevalent at that time. The temple known as Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple has two square rooms with the main deity of Lord Ganapathy in between. The other deities include Lord Siva in the form of Siva Lingam, Hanuman and Nandikeswara. A Mandapam (roof) in front of one of the rooms stands testimony to the skill of those who build this temple from a single piece of rock. The temple premise also has a well that never dries up. Getting there: By road: 10 km East of MC Road from Chadayamangalam.

CHURCHES

St. Mary's Church, Cheriapalli (2 km of Kottayam town): Built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor Maharajah, this church displays outstanding architecture which is a blend of Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriental and western styles on biblical and non biblical themes.

Thazhathangadi Valiapalli (2 km from west of Kottayam town): Built in 1550 AD, this church belongs to the Knanaya Orthodox Syrian Community. The Persian cross, believed to be one of the seven brought here by St. Thomas, and the Pahlavi inscriptions of this church are famous.

Jama Masjid, Thazhathangadi (2 km from Kottayam town): This ancient mosque on the banks of the Meenachil River is believed to be 1000 years old. It is one of the oldest in India. St. Mary's Church, Manarcad (8 km from Kottayam Town): This is one of the most important churches of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians. The ettunompu (8 day fasting) is the main annual event when devotees from far and wide congregate to participate in the prayers and rituals St. George's Church, Puthupalli: This church is believed to have been built by the Thekkumkoor Rajas. The golden cross in this church is well known. The feast of St. George (Gee Varghese) is the annual event. The CSI Cathedral Church, built over 175 years ago, is a monument from the British Era. The Old Seminary, Marthoma Seminary and Vadavathoor Seminary proclaim Syrian and Roman Christian traditions. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has its headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam. St. Thomas Mount: This holy place of Christians is located 1200 ft. above sea level and offers a panoramic view of the Vaikom Lake and the surrounding areas St. Mary's Church, Kuravilangad: Built in 355 AD on the high ranges of Kuravilangad town, this church has an old bell which bears an undeciphered inscription. St. Mary's Church, Athirampuzha This church was built in 1080 AD and was renovated in 1874. The annual feast here celebrated in honour of St. Sebastian is a big event with fireworks and illuminations. Votive offerings of gold and silver arrows set this event apart from other festivals. St. Mary's Church, Kudamaloor:This church, 800 years old, was built by Chempakasseri Maharajah. The ritual offering here is a traditional water bag and rope used to draw water from the well. The Kudamaloor Temple is equally famous. St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam (Near Medical College): This church was built by the blessed Father Chavara Kuriakose Elias. The mortal remains of this saintly priest is preserved here. Thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to the saint every day. Kaduthuruthi Valiapalli (on MC Road between Ettumanoor and Vaikom): Built in 500 AD, the church has a huge cross sculpted out of a single stone at the entrance. Vimalagiri Church: This temple built in the Gothic architectural style has a 172 ft. tower which is one of the tallest church towers in Kerala. The feast is celebrated in December. St. Thomas Church, Pala:The church dates back to 1002 AD and was renovated once in the 18th century. St. Thomas Church, Cherpungal: Believed to have been established by the apostle St. Thomas, this church was relocated to the southern banks of the Meenachil River with the cooperation of poet Kunchan Nambiar and his family. In 1107, the Valiapalli was built on the original site. Here oil poured into lamps kept before the image of Infant Jesus is the votive offering - a ritual similar to the devotional practices of Hindus. Aruvithira Church (11 km from Kottayam): Believed to be one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas, this is also one of the churches in Kerala which collects the largest amount of monetary offerings during the festival days. The annual feast is celebrated on the 22, 23 and 24th of April. Pazhayapalli, Changanacherry (21 km from Kottayam town): This 950 year old mosque is one of the most famous ones of Central Travancore. The annual festival, Thangal adiyanthiram, is well known and is marked by a grand community feast. Meat and two tonnes of rice, offered by the devotees, is used to prepare biriyani for the community feast on this day. The Chandanakuddam festival at the mosque is one of the largest crowd pulling events in Changanacherry town. Puthenpalli, Erattupetta: The famous Chandanakudam is celebrated here in February/December

MALAYALAPUZHA

The goddess at the Bhagavathy Temple here is believed to grant boons to devotees and help them realise dreams. The temple has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.

NIRANAM

Situated 7 km from Thiruvalla, this famous church is believed to be among one of the seven-and-a-half churches originally established by St. Thomas (52 AD) in Kerala. This church displays a marked influence of ancient temple architecture and is a renowned centre of worship for the Christian community. Niranam is also famous as the birthplace of a band of 14th century poets known as the Niranam Kavikal or Kannassa Panikkars. They were renowned for their many translations from Sanskrit to Malayalam, the most illustrious being 'Kannassaramayanam', a translation of the epic Ramayana. Getting there: Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 7 km from Niranam. Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km

PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is 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. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.Dress code: Men - Dhoti; Women - Saree and blouse.

PARASURAMA TEMPLE

This 2000 year old temple on the bank of river Karamana, is the only one in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala.This temple is a venue for ancestor worship.As part of the Bali ritual, devotees make offerings to the souls of the dear departed, after taking a dip in the holy water.

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.

THIRUVEGAPPURA SANKARANARAYANA TEMPLE

This temple in Palakkad district dates back to the 14th century while its koothambalam (temple theatre) was probably added in the 15th or 16th century.

PARASSINIKADAVU SRI MUTHAPPAN TEMPLE

This centre of worship and faith has in store many unique practices and rituals, and the temple architecture itself stands testimony to this aspect. Located 20 km away from Kannur, a northern district of Kerala, the Parassinikadavu Muthappan (Siva) Temple on the banks of the Valapatnam River attracts people from all sections of the society; irrespective of religion, caste and promotes the essence of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam - The whole world is one family." The origin of the Muthappan temple is connected to the appearance of a child who roamed the region with a string of interesting incidents and later vanished without a trace. The incidents up to the point of his disappearance later made the denizens feel the divine presence of Muthappan (Siva) who immediately erected a place of worship, which today is popularly known as the Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple. The temple is also a popular destination for travellers and pilgrims to savour the charm of Theyyam, a ritual that is performed here on a daily basis. Men adorning masks and costumes with a riot of colours perform this temple art form and it represents conflict between good and evil, with good ultimately emerging victorious. Getting there: Nearest Railway Station: Kannur, about 20 km away.Nearest Airport: Mangalore, about 120 km from Kannur town; Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode, which is 93 km from Kannur town.

TEMPLES

SSiva Temple, Thalikkotta (2 km from Kottayam): The place of worship of the erstwhile Thekkumkoor royal family. Annual festival - ten day utsavam (April-May), Sivarathri (January-February) Mahadevar Temple, Ettumanoor (12 km north of Kottayam town): This temple is famous for its murals, especially the painting of Nataraja in the gopuram and ezharaponnana (the 7 1/2 elephants finished in gold) Festival:Ezharaponnana ezhunallathu (10 days in February/March) Shiva Temple, Vaikom (40 km from Kottayam town): 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) Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple: In the heart of Kottayam town is this 500 year old temple built by the Thekkumkoor Maharajah. This temple built in the Kerala style of architecture has colourful murals on its walls which are worth exploring. The Koothambalam, the special building in the temple premises used for cultural purposes, is one of the best in Kerala. Saraswathi Temple, Panachikkad: This temple, also known as the Mookambika Temple of the South, holds the Saraswathi (goddess of learning and the arts) pooja every year in October/November. Children are initiated into the world of letters at the Vidhyarambham ceremony held here. Surya Temple, Adityapuram: The only temple in Kerala dedicated to Aditya, the sun god. The first and last Sundays of the zodiacs Scorpio ( November- December) and Aries (April - May) are considered auspicious. Bhagavathy Temple, Ambalakkadavu: The Arattu ritual of the Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple takes place here. Festival: Vishu (April/May) Pallipurathukavu: Festival: Patham udaya mahotsavam. Famous ritual offering: Nadel Thiyattu performance. Bhagavathy Temple, Manarcad: Centuries old temple dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. Main events: Kalamezhuthupattu, Kumbha bharani, Meena bharani, Patham udayam, Mandalam chirappu. Kavil Bhagavathy Temple, Changanacherry(18 km from Kottayam): Built by one of the Thekkumkoor Maharajas. Festival: Kavil chirappu (December - January) Sree Subramanya Swami Temple, Perunna(20 km from Kottayam): Festival: Pallimetta utsavam (November - December) Siva Temple, Vazhappalli, Changanacherry ( 17 km from Kottayam): Famous for its sculptures. Kalkulathukavu Temple, Vazhappalli: This temple is famous for its Mudiyeduppu utsavam (festival) celebrated once in 12 years and the rare art forms connected with it. The procession carrying madhu (honey), kulavazha (plantain tree with the fruit), bhairavi purapadu and darika vadha purappadu etc. is a grand affair.
THODIKKULAM TEMPLE

Location: Thodikkulam Siva temple, about 2 km from Kannavam near Thalasserry on the way to Mananthavadi, Kannur district, north Kerala. Temples and palaces were the ancient galleries for mural paintings in Kerala. One such at Kannur district which has been attracting a large number of art lovers from all over the world is the Siva temple at Kannavam. Here there are nearly 150 mural paintings, on an area of 700 sq ft. in about 40 panels, drawn on the four walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Based on Saivic and Vaishnavic (myths related to Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu respectively) themes, the murals here portray the village life from the 16th to 18th centuries. These are depicted along with scenes like Rugmini Swayamvaram (Vaishnavic), Ravana vadham etc from the epics. The murals reveal the skill and perfection of the artistes who once lived in this land. In these times mural painting followed certain standards in the choice of colour, proportions, methods etc. Only natural pigments were used in the making of murals. The commonly used colours in the murals of Kerala are saffron-red, saffron-yellow, green, red, white, blue, black, yellow and golden yellow. The Thodikkulam Siva Temple, said to have been constructed 2000 years ago, has the sanctum sanctorum constructed in two-storeys and is rectangular in shape. The outer building and an incomplete Mukhamandapam (portico) in front of the central shrine completes the whole structure. For the art lover who wants to learn this ancient art, Vasthuvidya Gurukulam a school dedicated to mural paintings, will be the ideal place to go to. Getting there : Nearest railway station : Thalasseri about 34 kmNearest airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 71 km to the south.

VARKALA

Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri.High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. According to a myth, sage Narada was approached by a group of mendicants who confessed to having sinned.Narada threw his valkkalam (cloth made of the bark of a tree) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala.The mendicants were directed by Narada to offer their prayers in the newly created place by the seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption, came to be known as the Papanasham Beach ( Papanasham means redemption from sins).The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions here.Getting there: Nearest railway station : Varkala. Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram international airport, nearly 57 km away.