9 Famous Temples In Kerala That Exemplify The Grandeur Of Spirituality

Kerala is known as "The Land of Gods," having been supposedly constructed by the warrior-sage Parasurama. In addition to being a place of myths and stories, this southernmost state is home to some of the oldest temples, which serve as verifiable historical markers. Let us check out 9 famous temples in Kerala that exemplify the grandeur of spirituality. 

9 Famous Temples In Kerala 

1. Sabarimala Sastha Temple, Pathanamthitta - Situated next to the Periyar Tiger Reserve is the Sabarimala Sastha Temple, arguably one of Kerala's most well-known temples. It's also one of those places where a lot of people go on pilgrimages. An estimated 50 million pilgrims are thought to come here each year. After vanquishing the evil Mahishi, the Hindu god Ayyappan is said to have meditated at Sabarimala. 

Kerala is home to several gorgeous and ancient temples with a rich history. (Image Source: Canva)

2. Chottanikkara Temple, Chottanikkara - One of Kerala's most well-known temples in terms of Hindu shrine architecture is Chottanikkara Temple. Chottanikkara Devi, the chief deity of this temple, is worshipped in three distinct forms at different times of the day: Devi Saraswati in the morning, Devi Lakshmi at midday, and Devi Durga in the evening draped in crimson. Lord Shiva is also worshipped in this temple. 

3. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam - The magnificent Ettumanoor Mahadeva is an old temple devoted to Lord Shiva. One of the few Shiva temples in Kerala that is renowned for its exquisite Dravidian architecture is this Shiva shrine. While the frescoes Pradosha Nritham (Dance of Shiva) painted on the walls are regarded as some of the best in South India, the mural paintings both inside and outside the temple are merely outstanding. It is thought that while residing in the temple, renowned philosopher Adi Shankaracharya penned "Soundarya Lahari."

4. Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad Valley - The gorgeous Thirunelli or Maha Vishnu Temple, is a well-known ancient Vishnu temple in South India among Hindu devotees. This shrine is frequently referred to as the Kashi of the South. Thirunelli Temple has a quite lengthy history because it is also mentioned in the Puranas. It is believed that Lord Brahma himself constructed Thirunelli. 

5. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom - The magnificent Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, one of Kerala's most revered temples, is a significant component of the trio formed by combining two other Shiva temples, namely Ettumanoor Shiva Temple and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva. It's a widely held notion that a devotee's desires come fulfilled if they worship at these three temples prior to "Ucha pooja." 

6. Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Parassinikadavu - The revered Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, also called Muthappan Temple, is a temple distinguished from other shrines in Kerala by its distinct rites. This temple on the Valapattanam River bank is not a Satvic Brahminical place of worship. This sacred temple used the Muthappan Theyyam, a traditional dance, to perform a ritual portrayal of both figures. 

7. Thiruvalla Temple, Thiruvalla - The Thiruvalla Temple, one of the largest temples in Kerala, is an extremely traditional temple. The sacred place of worship, which is renowned for its magnificent architecture, honours Purusha as Lord Sreevallabhan. As one of the Divya Desams, the shrine is distinguished by its beautiful mural murals inside the temple and its exquisite stone and wooden carvings. 

8. Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram - Located in the centre of Trivandrum, the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is a component of the East Fort. There are roughly thirty-two sculptures of Lord Ganesha in various forms at this well-known Ganpati temple in Kerala. The Travancore Army originally considered the temple to be a significant centre of worship in Kerala. 

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8. Pandalam Ayyappa Temple, Pandalam - The Pandalam Ayyappa or Valiyakoikal Temple is a significant Ayyappa temple that is located near the Pandalam fort. According to mythology, Lord Ayyappa lived as the king's son in Pandalam throughout his human journey. As a result, King Rajasekhara was distraught upon Lord Ayyappa's departure for Sabarimala.