VAIKOM MAHADEVAR TEMPLE

VAIKOM MAHADEVAR TEMPLE 

Among all the ancient and unique temples of South India, Vaikom Mahadevar Temple of Kerala, South India occupies the most significant position in the whole world. One can find the Vaikom Mahadevar temple along the western side of Kottayam district, the temple also has its border shared with Vembanattu Kayal (lake). A tourist finds Vaikom about 40kms from Kottayam town.
Being the oldest town of Vaikom in the Kottayam district as well as in Keralam has historical importance. During the freedom struggle of India 'Vaikom Satyagraham' against untouchability started here in 1925 wherein Mahatma Gandhi took an active part. Spiritually the city of Vaikom is known as the City of Shiva or Vaikathhapan. Vaikom Mahadevar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as Annadanaprabhu in local language.Pilgrims flock to the shiva temple during the Sabarimala season and Vaikattu Ashtami festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in February-March and in November and December.
The temple at Vaikom was established when the demon Khara of Ramayana a great devotee of Lord Shiva set one shivalingam on the ground which got attached to the ground. According to legends Lord Shiva was worshipped by Parasuram also. The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is locally known as Thekkan Kashi or Dakshina Kasi which means Southern Varanasi.The spectacular attribute of this temple is the famous elephant parade. The offering of food or prathal to the devotees since ancient times is the oldest custom followed here. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Dakshinamurthy, Kiraata Murthy and Satchitananda during morning or panthirati pooja, noon or Uchcha pooja and evening respectively.
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple has an oval chamber which is covered with a copper plates and the roof is crowned with a golden kalasam (dome). The temple's engraved wall painting is 15 and 18 centuries old. The Mukhamandapam is in the front of the oval shaped chamber. A visitor can have a view of the 129909nandi (vehicle of shiva). The wall is decorated with lamps on wooden framework lined together in

VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE

VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE 

The Vadakkunnathan temple, of Kerala finds its place in a hillock at the centre of Trichur. One of the largest temples in Kerala devoted to Lord Shiva is the Vadakkunnathan temple which is one of the most ancient of its kind. The town of Trichur is developed surrounding the Vadakkunnathan temple. Trichur gets its name from Tiru-Siva-Perur. The Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the most important sacred shrines of Kerala. According to the legends it was built 1000 years ago by parasurama.
According to the myths Adi Sankaracharya parents' prayed at the Vadakkumnathan or the Vrashacala temple for his birth after remaining childless for long. Vrishachala and Vrisha are the other names of Vadakkkunnathan Temple which literally mean Nandikeswara.

THIRUVANCHIKULAM SHIVA TEMPLE

THIRUVANCHIKULAM SHIVA TEMPLE 

God's own country, Kerala, on one hand offers tourists with mesmerizing hill stations and on the other hand it has many wonderful temples having both historical and spiritual importance. The Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is one among them. The temple of Thiruvanchikulam Shiva temple is at a distance of about 30 kms from Thrissur, Kerala. Located at Kodungallur, the temple was built many centuries ago.
There are a number of stories making up the history of the temple. One among them is something like this: Two very close friends, Saint Sundarmoorty Narayan and Cheraman Perumal worshipped Lord Shiva leading to eternal bliss. They reached the abode of Shiva, Kailas by Narayan riding a 1000-tusked elephant and Perumal a blue horse.

THIRUVALLU TEMPLE ,KERALA 

Thiruvallu Temple of Kerala is another prominent temple of the southern region. It is also one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. A tour to Kerala is significant for a visitor once he visits the temples and praises its architectural style.
Kerala is described as God's own country and is known for its beautiful temples. Most of them are unique of its style and wall paintings. The typical south Indian style is followed in each of the structure. The temple structure started developing in the Chola periods and thus became a tourist destination. Apart from the backwaters and greenery Kerala thus enhances its position through the temples.

SREE POORNATHARAYEESA TEMPLE

 SREE POORNATHARAYEESA TEMPLE

Tripunithura, about 10 km Southeast of Ernakulam (Kochi), Kerala is known as the Land of Temples. And one such temple worth visiting is the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple. It is said that Arjuna of Mahabharata has established this temple. The deity here is Maha Vishnu (popularly known as Sree Poornathrayeesa) and it is one among three Vishnu Temples in Kerala. The Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple is famous for its yearly festivals. The main one being the Vrishchikoltsawam, which is conducted every year in the month of November- December. The other cultural festival includes the Athachamayam which is held during the harvest festival of Onam and is celebrated with procession of float, Tableau and dances like Pulikkali. This deity is Kula Daivam of Cochin Royal family.
The history of the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Kerala dates back to more than ten decades and was almost ruined by a major fire outbreak in the early 1900s. The current temple is a renovated one. It is believed that a couple who worships Lord Vishnu truly is always blessed with children.
On the fourth day of the Vrishchikoltsawam festival, apart from the usual procession of decorated elephants, a golden pot is kept on a raised platform and offerings made here are believed to bring in a better future. This custom is called Kanikka edal. Thousands of deities flock every year during this time. Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal, musical concerts are performed in the temple premises during the festival days.
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PARTHASARATHI TEMPLE

PARTHASARATHI TEMPLE 

The Parthasarathi Temple situated in Aranmula near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is dedicated to Parthasarathy or Lord Krishna. This temple dates back to the days of the Mahabharata and is one of the oldest temples in South India. A famous pilgrim place for Hindus, this temple is associated with the famous snake boat race. It is held as a part of the festival in August-September.
Aranmula is also famed for its hand-made mirrors made of polished metal called the "Aranmula Kannadi". "Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallomkali", the annual snake boat race is the major attraction here. Devotees and tourists from all over the world come here to see this boat race which is conducted on the river Pampa. It is held on the last day of the weeklong Onam festival as a part of the temple tradition.

GURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE

GURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE 

Among the various Vishnu Temples in India, the temple for Lord Guruvayurappan in Kerala has a special place of pride for the devotees from all over the world. The Guruvayurappan Temple is located at a distance of 29 kms in northwest of Thrissur, Kerala. The main deity worshipped here is Lord Krishna. The other name of the Guruvayurappan Temple is `Bhooloka Vaikunda' or the heaven on earth and it is also popularly called the   -  Dwaraka of the South  -  .
It is believed that the Guruvayurappan Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was destroyed when the holy city of Dwaraka was submerged under the sea. Guru, the preceptor of the gods and Vayu, the god of the winds were entrusted with the job of finding an equally holy place for a new temple. They finally selected this site which came to be known as Guruvayur and the deity, Guruvayurappan.
Thus, inside the Guruvayurappan Temple you will find the holy shrines of Lord Vishnu, Guru and Vayu. The town is a popular place for young couples to get married and one can find marriage halls scattered in the town.Guruvayurappan Temple organizes twenty four festivals annually. The prominent among the festivals are Eakadashi and Ulsavam. The temple remains open from 3 a.m. in the early morning to 10 p.m. at night. Thus, the temple stands as a symbol of spiritual power and knowledge center. Devotees from all corners of the world flock here to make them spiritually and culturally uplifted.

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Sabarimala Temple Kerala India

Sabarimala Temple
As we all know about sabarimala temple :

Amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats lies the sacred mountain 'Sabarimala', a major pilgrim centre in India. The landscape has vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and plantations. Evergreen and moist deciduous forest cover half the total district area. The holy Pamba river formed by the confluence of five smaller rivers, descends from the Sabarimala. The sanctum sanctorum nestles 914 metres above sea level.
The shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa who is believed to have been born from the union of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, and Lord Siva, the Destroyer. No woman devotee in the fertility age group is allowed to proceed beyond Pamba. Devotees undertake rigorous penance, ritualistic vows and fasts for 41 days before they visit the temple. The main festivals are the Mandala pooja, the Makara vilakku in December-January and the Vishu vilakku in April. Millions of devotees, irrespective of caste, creed and colour, from all over the country, climb the 18 sacred steps to the sanctum sanctorum for a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa.

Sabarimala - Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 28 km from Pathanamthitta
Sabarimala - Nearest airports : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km from Pathanamthitta; Cochin International Airport, about 133 km from Pathanamthitta

 [ Sabarimala – The abode of Lord Ayyappa ]

Sabarimala - Location : 72 km north-east of Pathanamthitta district.
Sabarimala - Altitude : 914 metres above sea level.
Sabarimala - Pilgrim season : November - mid-January.