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Divine Destinations: The Most Famous Temples in Kerala
Divine Destinations: The Most Famous Temples in Kerala

Kerala’s temples are well-known, drawing visitors from all around India and even beyond its borders. To experience the divinity of these temples, one must visit the locations in person. Kerala is referred to as God’s own land for a reason, after all. 

You must explore the famous temples in Kerala, whether you are going for a leisure trip or to visit holy sites. These ancient temples were constructed with the highest devotion thousands of years ago. Seeing the splendour and background of these hallowed places of worship leaves one in a state of amazement. If you’re not already a believer, get ready to change your ideology, because a trip to Kerala might just convert you into one!

The Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple—the richest temple in the world! Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the temple signifies “the land of Lord Anatha,”  since Lord Anatha resides in the temple.

Beautiful Dravidian and Keralian architecture combine to form the temple. Although information about the temple’s establishment is not precisely known, its history is claimed to date back to the eighth century.

Lord Vishnu, the principal deity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, sits on Anathanag, a massive hooded serpent. The temple is so prominent that a large number of devotees from all over the world come here to pay their respects every year.

When the Panguni festival is held in March and April, you can visit the famous temples in Kerala. The Alpashy festival also draws a large crowd of people.

The Temple of Chottanikkara

One of the most significant pilgrimage sites near Kerala is the Chottanikkara Temple near Kochi. Goddess Rajarajeswari, who is adored in three different avatars, is the most revered deity in this temple. She is worshipped as Devi Saraswati in the morning, Goddess Laxmi in the afternoon, and Devi Durga in the evening.

The peaceful atmosphere of the Chottanikkara Temple calms every worried mind. Every evening, in a unique ritual, homage is paid to the goddess in hopes of invoking her. This is something that shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting the temple; the scene is truly view-worthy. Furthermore, if you get a chance to visit the temple during Navratri, do not miss it by any means. This makes the temple one of the most famous temples in Kerala.

 Shrikrishna Temple at Guruvayoor

The Guruvayoor Temple is everything that devotees of Lord Krishna could ask for. The name of this temple comes from the devotion of Lord Krishna as Lord Guruvayoorappan. The temple is also known as the “Dwarka of the South” since it has become so significant over time. Patalanjana stone is used to create this image of Lord Krishna. The building has four arms and stands four feet tall.

Many elephants live on the grounds of this temple in Thrissur. It is a well-known location for weddings and also hosts rice-feeding rituals, making this temple one of the most famous temples in Kerala.

During the yearly Guruvayur festival, which takes place in February and March, you can visit the temple. 

Sree Krishna Temple in Ambalapuzha

The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple is situated in the Kerela district of Alappuzha. It is well-known for possessing Lord Krishna’s incarnation, Unnikrishna, which means Little Krishna. Its establishment is supposed to be from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries. The temple is well-known for its sweet milk offering, Palpayasam.

The temple has become one of the most famous in Kerala because the ten avatars of Shri Krishna are displayed here in the form of various paintings. In the pond by the temple, you can go on a sacred pilgrimage. Within the shrine, there are drums, bells, and a steady chanting sound.

If you are fortunate enough to travel in June or July, you will have the opportunity to see the Pampa River’s yearly boat race event. 

The Nagaraja Temple at Mannarsala

Many snakes are said to have their nests around the Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple in Haripad. The primary deity of this temple, Nagaraja, is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It makes sense that snakes appear in both the physical environment and the artwork here. There is no need to fear, as the snakes are very well acquainted with human presence and do not cause any harm unless provoked.

The primary reason people attend the shrine is to honour the snakes.

Another reason for this temple to be among the most famous temples in Kerala is that infertile women are said to frequently become pregnant after worshipping Nagaraja. These blessed women then return to express their gratitude.

The temple is surrounded by a forest, resulting in a serene ambience. To avoid crowds, make sure you visit in the afternoon. 

Bhagavathy Temple at Attukal

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, which is situated in Thiruvananthapuram’s downtown, is recognised as “the largest gathering of women in the world” by the Guinness Book of World Records. The temple is well-known for hosting the Pongala festival, which draws an unprecedented number of women to the premises to celebrate.

Devi Parvati’s avatar, Goddess Bhadrakali, is the principal deity in this place. The temple’s overall design combines Tamilian and Keralian architectural elements. Several other deities are also worshipped here, such as Devi Parvati, Mata Kaali, Lord Shiva, and other avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Seeing the Attukal Pongala festival in person, which is celebrated in February and March, would be an unforgettable experience, putting the Attukal Bhagavathy temple on the list of the most famous temples in Kerala.

The Temple of Vadakkunnathan

The UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have bestowed the “Award of Excellence” upon the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur. Once you take a stroll around the temple, you’ll see why it has gained so much recognition, even from foreign countries.

This wooden and stone temple dates back hundreds of years, and it is painted with ancient artwork. The Mahabharata stories are depicted in these artworks. It is stated that Parasurama, a Vishnu incarnation, constructed this temple. Since Lord Shiva is this temple’s primary deity, Shivaratri is celebrated here with great devotion.