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St Mary’s Church, Cheriapally, Kumarakom is 12kms from Kottayam built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor Maharajah, this church displays outstanding architecture which is a blend of Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriental and western styles on biblical and non biblical themes. The hanging lamps in the hall, the granite pillars and the larger outer brick-walls are similar to the ones in temples.
Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is a mosque situated in Thazhathangady, is considered to be one of the oldest in the country and is notable for its magnificent architecture as well as the beautiful carvings in wood which adorn its interior. (more…)
St. Mary’s Forane Church, Athirampuzha also known as valiya pally dedicated to Saint Mary is about 10 km away north of Kottayam. The Church was consecrated on 15th August in 835 A.D. on a land donated by the Brahmin family of ettanasseri as thanksgiving for a male heir born to the family by praying to Virgin Mary. The statue depicts the Saint without arrows piercing into the body. (more…)
Champakulam Kalloorkadu St. Mary’s Forane Church, also called Champakulam Valia Palli, is one of the oldest Christian churches in India and the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey District. Champakulam St. Mary’s Church is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas. The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19th.
There are many archaeological artifacts found around the church about its history. Champakulam church was once under Niranam Church, which was founded by the Apostle Saint Thomas himself. Champakulam Church had very friendly relations with the Jacobite Syrian group and had a pivotal role in many ecumenical efforts in the Eighteenth century.
How To Reach
Air – Nearest International Airports : Kochi (Nedumbassery – 85 km). Thiruvananthapuram (150 km).
Rail – Well connected to Major Cities.
Road – An excellent road network links the district to all major towns and cities in india.
The ‘Madre De Deus’ Church popularly known as the Vettukad Church, is a major pilgrim centre situated 7 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. Vettukad is a coastal village lies near to Veli. The church is believed to have been established by the missionary St. Francis Xavier.
The annual celebration here is called the ”Feast of Christ, The King”. The feast is celebrated across ten days concludes with a grand feast. Every year the last day of feast celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of November. Various religious rites are carried out during the festival days. On the last Saturday of the feast, the image of Christ the King is taken out in a large colorful procession. A solemn high mass, sermons and benediction mark the final day. Thousands of devotees from all faith pay visit this place during the feast.
The nearest railway station to the Church is Thiruvananthapuram central at about 7 km. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 3 km from Vettukad Church. The KSRTC provide special services to this place on the last three days of the festival when Express trains stop for one minute at the nearby Kochuveli station. Buses and hired cars regularly ply from Kovalam to Vettukad Church and weekends are particularly filled with tourists
Annual festival at Koratty Muthy Church, at Koratty, about 7km to the south of Chalakudy in Thrissur district. It is an old Catholic church built in honor of St. Mary and the natives addressed the saint as Koratty Muthy. The main event on this day is a grand procession. (more…)
It is a ritualistic trekking. Thousands of pilgrims climb up the hill, Rairanellur Mala, approx. 500ft height, where an old temple of Durga is situated. The place is associated with the legend Naranath Branthan, an eccentric philosopher. Located near Onnamthiyathipadi bus stop between Koppam – Valanchery route in Palakkad – Malappuram border. Bhranthachalam temple on a huge rock near Thiruvegappura Panchayath office is another attraction.
Guruvayur: Connecting the Heaven and the Earth
The story regarding the origin of the shrine at Guruvayur temple is described in the ‘Narada Purana’ in the chapter ‘Gurupavanapura Mahatmya’. It is related to the story of Pareekshit who was killed by the Naga Chief Takshaka. In order to avenge his death, King Janamejaya, the son of Pareekshit, performed the Sapayajna in which thousands of innocent reptiles were sacrificed. Their curses caused him to suffer leprosy and utter helplessness. 
Saga Dattatreya advised Janamejaya to propitiate Lord Krishna at Guruvayur as a remedy to his ill-fate. He described him the story of the idol at Guruvayur. Lord Narayana was the first to worship the holy idol which was uniquely carved out of the sacred ‘Pathalanjana Shila’. He himself had handed it ti Brahma, the Lord of Creation, at the beginning of the Padma Kalpa to execute his task of Creation by its grace. (more…)
One of the best popular pilgrimage centres for all people in the country, Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is located in the Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. The temple is located 72 kms away from Pathanamthitta. The shrine, situated on a hilltop surrounded by dense forests and 18 other hills, stands about 1260m/4135ft above sea level. This famous temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, and is accessible only by foot. According to popular belief the temple is 4800-5000 years old. (more…)
The twin temples of Sri Kottiyoor Temple in Kannur district, Kerala are believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva where his sanctified spirit is present in its fullness. The temples, Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, located deep inside the dense forests on the two east and west banks of the sacred River Vavali, have a history associated with the Puranas. (more…)
The Kodumon Chilanthi Kshethram, also known as the Palliyara Kavu Devi Kshetram, is in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala and has a history that dates back to about 1,500 years, making it one of the oldest temples in South India. The word ‘Chilanthi’ means spider and curiously, legend goes that the deity of this temple has the power to heal the worst cases of spider poisoning. (more…)
Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala which is about 51 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram by road and also connected by rail. With thousands of pilgrims coming to pay homage to the Samadhi of the great social reformer of Kerala, this place has to be visited. There is also an ancient temple of lord Janardhana or Vishnu said to be atleast 2000 years old. According to an inscription found here, it is believed that the temple was built somewhere during the early 13th century. (more…)
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one must visit is the Attukal Bhagvathy temple. This is the temple that allows entry for women only on the day of Pongal festival. (more…)
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, is considered as an important landmark of Trivandrum city. It is also one of the seven Parasurama temples in Kerala. Main deity is Lord Vishnu in the Anananthasayanam posture. (more…)
Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple Pazhavangadi is a very well known Ganapathy temple situated in the heart of the city at Pazhavangadi. It is barely 1.5 kms away from the main Bus stand and the Railway station. The idol was originally worshiped by a soldier of Travancore Army which was garrisoned at Padmanabhapuram. The garrison of the royal army shifted to Thiruvananthapuram when it became the capital of the state of Travancore. The idol than was shifted here at Pazhavangadi in 1795 AD. (more…)
This is a 2000 year old ancient temple built on the banks of the river Karamana. It is the temple of Lord Parasurama who is believed to have created Kerala according to Hindu Mythology. (more…)
Padmanabha Swamy Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a 100 feet and seven storied high marvelously carved ‘Gopuram’ in the complex built in the ancient Dravidian style. It is a very famous pilgrimage centre and one of the major attractions in Thiruvananthapuram city. It was built in 1733 by the Maharaja of Travancore. (more…)
Amritapuri – this is where the internationally known spiritual guru Mata Amritanandamayi was born. The residence and headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi is known as Amritapuri. It is also the International Headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Amritapuri is situated at vallikavu in Karunagappally. Amritapuri is one of the campuses in Kerala of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University. (more…)
According to legend, Lord Ayyappa was a descendant of the Pandya dynasty which lived in various place like Valliyur, Tenkasi, Shengottah, Achankovil and Sivagiri and in parts of Travancore, where the Pandavas were the ruling dynasty belonging to Chempazhanattu Kovil, lived in Sivagiri and were given the right to rule the country of Pandalam by the King of Travancore eight hundred year ago. (more…)
Situated on the banks of river Pamba, the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna attracts large number of devotees. It is one of the famous temple in Kerala. The presiding deity of the temple is in the form of the ‘Viswaroopa’ of Lord Krishna, which appeared before Arjuna at the time of ‘Geethopadesam’. The temple here features fine murals from the 18th century. The temple has four towers over its entrances on its outer wall, one can reach the Pampa River through the northern tower by descending 57 steps. (more…)
Sree Vallabha Temple is located in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. It is 2½ km away Thiruvalla town. The Sreevallabha temple in Thiruvalla is one of the important pilgrim centres of Vaishanavites ,one among the one hundred and eight vaishnava thirupathis in India. Mesmerizing picturesque view surrounding the temple is discernible as it is contributed by the rivers Pampa, Manimala and Achen Kovil. (more…)
Parumala church is situated at Mannar on the banks of river Pampa, near Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. It is only 10 kms away from Thiruvalla. (more…)
The Malayattoor Church situated on 1300 mtr high Malayattoor hilltop, is at a distance of 50 km from Cochin. ‘Malayattoor‘ means the confluence of land, mountain and river. (more…)
Situated about 15 kms from the Thrissur town is the 3000 year old Arattupuzha temple. The temple is set in the tranquil and serene village of Arattupuzha. This village temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ayappa who is the presiding deity of the temple. An event called “Devamela”, meaning the coming together of all the Gods and Goddesses at one place is hosted annually at the temple. The people believe that there is a divine power emanating from the principal deity. This belief and faith bring home the devotees in flocks. (more…)
