Kerala Temples

The Main Festival: There are two main pujas called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which are celebrated from November to Middle of January in Kerala, during which time the devotees perform austerities and penance. Devotees wear black 'dhotis' and are bare-chested as they prepare for the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The temple is at the top of the Neeli hills and the devotees have to climb the treacherous route carrying their meager provision in a bundle called "Iru Mudi" meaning in "two folds".

Guruvayoor Temple: Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of Kerala. The walls of the sanctum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. This is probably the only temple in the state that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice feeding ceremonies.

The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local belief, the temple was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of winds'. In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham' (flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brillant spectacle, when lit.

The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Sri Padmanabh Swamy Temple (Trivandrum): Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is an awe-inspiring structure that has a 100 feet high 'gopuram', built in Dravidian style. The temple, known for the Mural paintings and stone carvings is one among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu in India.

Vadukkumnathan Temple (Trichur): Vadukkumnathan is a prominent Shiva temple, in downtown Thrissur (Trichur), Kerala. This is one of Kerala's most ancient shrines, which also houses a museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of immense historical value. The 'Pooram' festival, falling in April/ May, attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world.

Chottanikkara Temple
Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, is one of the most popular deities in Kerala. On way is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The goddess is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. People who have mental illness seek refuge in the divine mother, who graciously cures all her devotees. Goddess Rajarajeswari is the presiding deity. This deity is worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue. The image in the shrine is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground.

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