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Kerala is rich in places of worship , with a secular tinge. As well historically noted fo its cohesive culture. The major places of worship are listed.
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| 1. The lake temple at Ananthapura |
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| 12 km, east of Kasargod town, Anathapura is famous for lake temple, believed to be the original seat of Anathapadmanabha , Shri Padmanabha Swami Temple Trivandrum . |
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| 2. Thrichambaram Vishnu Temple , Thaliparambu |
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| 20 kms , north east of Kannur , Taliparambu is famous for the tenth century Trichambaram Vishnu Temple, a finest piece of of medieval temple architecture. |
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| 3. Muthappan Temple , Parachinikkadavu |
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| Situated on the Valappatanam river banks , 18 kms away from Kannur . Presiding diety Muttappan is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Shiva. Teyyam , the ritual dance performed daily . A distinguishing feature of the temple is the unusual offering of fish and toddy to the diety. |
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| 4. The Maha Vishnu Temple , Thirunelli |
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| Thirunelli ,a beautiful landscape 42 kms from Manathavadi , Wayanad District offers the panaromic view of the Brahmagiri Hills with an idyllic charm of the enticing nature . Thrunelli is renowned for the famous Maha Vishnu Temple , popularly known as the Southern Kashi. The idol of the temple , Maha Vishnu is believed to be installed by Brahma himself . The river flowing besides , Papanaashini , is believed to havethe mystical powers to wash off one’s sins. |
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| 5. Navamukunda Temple , Thirunavai , Malappuram |
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Thirunavai is 8 kms south of Tirur , comprising of historical and religious significance.
Navamukunda temple , the Banaras of the south is believed to have been founded by Nine Great Saints . The historically noted ‘Mamankam’ festival , the grand assembly for rulers of Kerala , was being conducted here. This festival is believed to be initiated by the famous Chera Emperor , Cheraman Perumal . |
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| 6. Punarjani Guha ( Cave Of Rebirth ) |
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| It is situated 2 kms from Thiruvillwamala Temple , Pallakad . It is a natual 15 mts long tunnel in the rocky cliff. The main deity Shree Rama , presides over the cave and the idol is believed to be born on its own. The religious performance to wash away one’s sins , to attain rebirth is named ‘Noozhal’ ( Crawling through the tunnel) . Only men are permitted to perform the Noozhal. |
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| 7. Shri Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor |
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One of the most famous and important religious centers in India , Guruvayoor is hailed as ‘ The Dwaraka Of South ‘. The temple dates back to 16th Century , dedicated to Lord Krishna worshipped as Guruvayoorappan . The popular belief is that th templewas created by Guru , the preceptor of Devas and Vayu , the Lord of Winds. It is well known that the famous Sanskrit devotional work , ‘Narayaneeyam’ is composed at the feet of Lord Guruvayoorappa. Devotees in thousands flock the temple daily with different types of offerings for the blessings of Guruvayoorappan.
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| 8. Vadakkunnadhan Temple , Thrissur |
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One of the renowned temples dedicated to Lord Shiva , Vadakkunnadhan is one among the largest temples of Kerala. Aadi Shankaracharya is believed to have spent his last days in the temple , a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The shrines and Koothambalam ( Temple Theatre ) are famous for the exquisite wood carvings . the legendary temple , said to be built by Prashurama hosts the internationally famous tourist attraction THRISSUR POORAM . The POORAM is religious festival with magnificent pageantry of brightly decorated elephants and fire works.
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| 9. Aadi Shankara Sthoopam , Kaladi |
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| The venerable sage , Aadi Shankara took birth at Kalady , a pilgrim center,45 kms from Cochin , on the banks of river Periyaar. Two shrines , memoirs of Aadi Shankaracharya -One to Aadi Shankara as Dakshinaamoorthy and other to Saradamba - rae maintained by Shringeri Mutt. |
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| 10. Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple |
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| Vaikkom , 40 kms from Kottayam is a renowned temple town on the Eastern banks of the expansive Vembanaad Lake is famous for the ancient Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The legendary temple is believed to be constructed by the mythological Parashurama. The 12 day Ashtami festival during Nov / Dec is famous for the religious and traditional temple dances and music performances, with a tinge of colorful elephant processions. It is also believed that Lord Shiva gave Darshan to the venerable sage Vyaghrapaada Muni at the temple precincts. |
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| 11. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple , Kottayam |
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| Thirunnakara Mahadeva temple , one of the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated at Kottayam. The wall paintings and the annual temple festival are religious and tourist attractions. |
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| 12. Ambalapuzha Shree Krishna Temple |
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| 14 kms south of Alappuzha , Ambalapuzha is famous for the Shree Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha Paalpayasam ( A sweet porridge of milk , rice and sugar ) and Ottantullal , a solo dance performance of the highest social significance. |
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| 13. Sabarimala |
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The well known forest temple and secular pilgrim center is in the terrains of the western ghats , is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa . the 5 kms stretch from Pamba to Sabarimala shrine can be reached only by trekking . During the pilgrimage season Nov to Jan millions throng the holy temple irrespective of caste creed and religion for the blessings of Lord Ayyappa.
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| 14. Parthasarathi Temple , Aranmula |
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The famous Parthasarathi Temple is situated at Aranmula , 10 kms from Chengannur on the Trivandrum - Kottayam route , in the Pathanamthitta district. The temple town Aranmula is surrounded by green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. Aranmula is well known across the globe for the hand made polished metal mirror called
‘Aranmula Kannadi ‘ and the snake boat races held in connection with the temple festival during Aug – Sep. |
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| 15. Janardana Swamy Temple and Shivagiri Mutt, Varkala |
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| Varkala a beautifull beach resort and pilgrim center, 40 kms from north of Thiruvananthapuram is famous for the Janardana Swamy Temple and the internationally famous Shivagiri Mutt , devoted to Shree Narayana Guru , a radical social reformer and a great sage . |
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| 16. Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram . |
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The Travancore Maharaja built this Dravidian style temple with seven storey carved Gopuram in the early 1700s. The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on the sacred serpent Anantha is famous for the innumerable pillars , intricate carvings and mural paintings. The idol of Vishnu , 18 feet long and a Lotus grown from the navel with Brahma is a masterpiece of art. Temple arts like Pavakkoothu , Kathakali , Velakali and Nokkuvidya thrived under the patronage of Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
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| 17. The Glass Temple at Kottamunda , Waynad |
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The one and only Jain temple dedicated to Parswanatha Swamy , the third Thirthankara of the Jain faith is situated at Kottamunda on the slopes of Vellarimala , 20 kms from the headquarters of Waynad district , Kalpetta. The glass temple is significant for the mirrors inside the temple walls reflecting magnificent image patterns of the icons in the temple sanctum sanctorum.
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| 18. Cochin Synagogue , Fort Kochi |
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The oldest synagogue in India built in 1568 has a holy collection of the Great Scrolls of Old Testament , the recorded copper plates in which the Cochin rulers made their grants of privilege and the breath taking Chinese hand painted tiles.
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| 19. The Mother of God Cathedral , Kozhikode |
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| The church is a congregation of scintillating Italian architecture and skillful Indian craftsmanship. The headquarters of the Latin Catholics in Malabar , the church , is built in Gothic style. Noted in history as the donor of the land for the church, Zamorin , gave all the encouragement to propagate Christianity . Vasco da Gama , the renowned Portuguese sailor landed at Kappad , near the church. |
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| 20. Saint Thomas Church , Palayoor |
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| The oldest church in India built by Saint Thomas Apostle in AD 52 is situated at Palayur , Chavakkad near Thrissur. |
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| 21. Saint Thomas Church , Malayattoor |
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| The church is 45 kms from Ernakulam and important among the Catholics is set atop the 609 mt Malayattoor hill. Being one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers, the church attracts devotees from all over south India. Of late , The Malayattoor has been declared the international pilgrim center. The first Sunday after Easter is a very important ay at Malayattoor and the church has a life size statue of Saint Thomas and the feet of the apostle is imprinted on a rock. |
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| 22. Saint Francis Church, Fort Kochi |
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India’s oldest, European built Protestant church built in 1503 by the Portuguese , now an Anglican church since 1795 accommodates Tomb Stone of Vasco da Gama who did in Kochi in 1524.
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| 23. Bharananganam Church |
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| It is an important Christian pilgrimage center. The mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa is interned in a chapel . The thosand year old church has an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary . |
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| 24. Saint Mary’s Church , Kottayam |
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| Known as Valiyapalli ( Big Church ) built in 1550 AD , the church is famous for its 8th Century Persian Cross with the Pahlavi Inscription. Near the Valiyapalli , St. Mary’s Church ( Cheriya Palli – Small Church ) is situated built in 1579 AD the church houses some Biblical murals and paintings. |
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| 25. Saint Andrew’s Church , Arthunkal , Alleppey |
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The church is situated at Arthunkal , Cherthala , 22 kms north of Alleppey. The church better known as Arthunkal Church was established by the Portuguese Missionaries.
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| 26. Maramon Convention |
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| It’s an internationally famous Christian congregation attended by world famous religious preachers conducted on the banks of a beautiful Kerala river at Pathanamthitta . The congregation is attended by thousands of devotees . |
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| 27. Cheraman Juma Masjid , Kodungalloor , Thrissur |
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| The famous mosque was established in 1629 AD at Cranganore , Kodungalloor. An important religious center of historical importance, the masjid dates as back as the Chera Dynasty. |
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| 28. Kizhakke Juma Ath Mosque , Kallupalam , Alleppey |
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| The mosque is more than 450 years old and a venerable place of worship in the surroundings . |
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| 29. Padinjare Shafi Juma Masjid , Alleppey |
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| The Masjid is 800 years old and has a social influence on the lives of the people around . |
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| 30. Beema Palli , Thiruvananthapuram |
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The mosque is dedicated to Beema Beevi a pious pilgrim lady , said to have divine powers. The Chandanakudam Festival in October is an important festival promoting religious harmony.
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| 31. Vavar Palli , Erumeli , Pathanamthitta |
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The mosque dedicated to The Legendary Vavar, the intimate friend and accomplice of Lord Ayyappa is very famous among the Ayyappa devotees. The Ayyappa devotees, on their way to Sabarimala pay their homages to Vavaru Swami at Erumeli Mosque . The mosque is a finest cradle of religious harmony in Kerala.
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