19 Best Pilgrimage Sites in Kerala

At a distance of 18 km from Kumarakom, and 35 km from Kottayam, Vaikom is famous as a temple town in the Kottayam district of Kerala. Situated on the eastern side of Vembanad Lake, popular getaway to experience beautiful backwaters in Kerala, and among the must-visit Kumarakom tourist places.

Vaikom is well known for the ancient Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be built by Parasurama, the founder of Kerala. The temple has a huge courtyard spanning over 8 acres of land and four towers on each side of the temple. Other major attractions of the Mahadeva Temple include the Garbagriha, a golden Stupa surmounting Garbagriha, 19.5m tall golden staff, etc. The exterior walls of the Garbagriha exhibit several pieces of artwork.

This is the place that had made a significance in Indian history with the Vaikom Sathyagraham in 1924, i.e the movement against untouchability in Hindu society. Leader of the Indian Freedom Movement Mahatma Gandhi had participated in this struggle and with his interference, all Hindus irrespective of caste are allowed to enter the temples.

Backwater trip in Vembanad Lake is a famous activity for tourists who visit Vaikom as part of Kumarakom tour packages. Many tourists are coming to Vaikom to enjoy a backwater tour on traditional non-mechanized kettuvallam. Vaikom village is very authentic ...

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At a distance of 14 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Maramon Convention is held on the banks of River Pamba in Kozhenchery town (near Kozhenchery Bridge). With participation of more than 200,000 devotees, this is the biggest Christian gathering in Asia.

The Maramon Convention is being conducted annually since 1896, in the month of February. This event is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church. The scholars of Christianity from India and abroad participate in this event. Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunneth Abraham Malpan, a 19th century leader of the Syrian Church of Malabar.

Kozhenchery is connected by frequent buses with Pathanamthitta.

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At a distance of 18 km from Ambalapuzha and 32 km from Alleppey, Sree Nagaraja Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple situated at Mannarsala in Alleppey district of Kerala. It is a popular center of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods and also one of the best places to visit in Alappuzha.

Located near Haripad, the temple is dedicated to Nagaraja, the serpent God. It is believed that the deity in this pilgrim center is blessed with the spirit of Lord Shiva and has the form of Lord Vishnu. This is the only shrine in Kerala which is headed by a priestess. According to the legend, the first priestess of Mannarasala Temple gave birth to a five-headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral house to safeguard the family.

The famous Mannarasala Temple covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove. The main Mannarasala Temple premise has two separate sanctum sanctorums, one devoted to Sarpayakshi and the other for Nagaraja. There are over 30,000 idol of snakes can be seen in the temple premises. Women seeking fertility come to worship here, and upon the birth of their child come to hold thanksgiving ceremonies here, often bringing new snake images as offerings. A special turmeric paste which is available at the temple is credited with curative powers.

Mannarsala Aayilyam is the main festival of Sree Nagaraja Temple. On the day of Aayilyam asterism in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove ...

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At a distance of 15 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple situated near Chottanikkara is one of the most famous temples in Kerala. The presiding deity here is Raja Rajeshwari Devi, another form of Goddess Durga (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati).

The image of the deity is said to be self manifested with four arms, covered with a golden amour. This deity is worshipped in 3 different forms, as Saraswati in the morning, as Bhadrakali at noon and as Durga in the evening. Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Siva, Ganapathi & Subramanya are also worshipped in this temple.

People suffering from mental illnesses commonly visit the temple. The major festival 'Makam Thozhal' is celebrated for 9 days in the month of February / March. Dasara is also celebrated in grand manner at this temple attracting large crowd.

Timings: 4 AM to 12 PM & 4 PM to 8 PM.

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At a distance of 39 Kms from Pathanamthitta & 10 kms from Thiruvalla, St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church located in Niranam (popularly known as Niranam Valiyapally) is a parish under the Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Founded by St. Thomas in 54 AD, this is one of the most ancient churches in the world. It also contains the mortal remains of St. Thomas.

The present structure was constructed in 1912, and later strengthened in the year 2000. Huge granite Cross, relics of St. Thomas, remains of the old church and the golden cross are the special attractions of the church. The feast of Assumption of St. Mary celebrated on Aug 15th and the Feast of Nativity of St. Mary celebrated on September 8th are important festival of the church. The Feast of St. Thomas on Dec 21st, the Feast of St. Behanan on Dec 27th and the Feasts of Marthoma II and Marthoma V on May10th are also celebrated in a grand manner here.

This place is connected by bus from Thiruvalla.

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At a distance of 20 Kms from Kottayam, St.Mary's Forane Church (also known as Martha Mariam Church) is located in Kuravilangad, on the way to Muvattupuzha.

Constructed in the year of 105 AD, this Church belongs to the diocese of Palai. It is believed that Mother Mary appeared to a few children in this area and asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous spring emerged, which exists even today. The church was built and a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from granite is installed here. A 48 feet single block granite cross is located in front of the church, which was erected around 1597. Three majestic bells of Kuravilangad were brought from Germany in 1911.

The main festival of the church called 'Moonnu Nompu', celebrated for 3 days in the month of xx. Thousands of devotees from all parts of Kerala participate in the festival.

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At a distance of 12 km from Varkala Railway Station, Kaduvayil Juma Masjid is a religious place situated in Kaduvayil between Kallambalam and Attingal. Located on NH-47, it is one of the Kerala pilgrimage places, and among the top places to visit during your Varkala Trip.

Kaduvayil Juma Masjid is dedicated to a Muslim Saint, Saint Kaduvayil Thangal who is believed to have magical powers. Managed by Kaduvayil Muslim Jama-Ath Charitable Trust, it is one of the important pilgrimage centers for Sunni Muslims in the region but its beautiful architecture also attracts tourists. It boasts a huge orphanage and a college where children study. The mosque is popularly known as Kaduvayil Thangal Juma Masjid or even Kaduvayil Palli.

The sanctity and austerity of the mosque premises will make you forget all your problems, and you will be pervaded by a feeling of self-surrender. This Masjid is an excellent example of religious harmony as devotees and tourists of all religions and ethnicity come here together to find inner peace and a great example of strong Hindu Muslim friendship in Southern Kerala.

Timings: 9 AM - 4 PM

Entry: Free

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At a distance of 7 km from Varkala Railway Station, Sarkara Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Chirayinkeezhu near Varkala. It is one of the famous temples in Varkala, and among the popular places of pilgrimage near Trivandrum.

One of the major pilgrim destinations in South India, the Sarkara Devi temple at Chirayinkeezhu is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. There is a legend associated with the Sarkara Devi Temple: Long ago, the place where this temple stood was less populated. A group of merchants who traded molasses was passing by this place. They saw a roadside shelter and decided to halt for some time. When they resumed their journey they found that one of their pots cannot be moved. As they tried to lift it, the pot broke apart and the molasses flowed and there appeared an idol. Later, an old woman saw the idol and intimated the villagers about the miracle. The villagers constructed a temple and consecrated the idol there. Since the goddess came from Sarkara (Malayalam word for Molasses), the deity became popular as Sarkara Devi.

The sanctum sanctorum is a two-storied rectangular structure. The roof is polished with bronze. The goddess idol is positioned towards the north. Countless sculptures of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Durga, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Vishnu, Narasimhamoorthi, and several other important deities ornate the second storey. The Sarkaradevi Temple has some basic attachment ...

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At a distance of 22 km from Mananthavady, 28 km from Irupu Falls & 45 km from Kalpetta, Thirunelly Temple is an ancient temple located in a beautiful valley beneath Brahmagiri hill range close to Kerala - Karnataka border (near Kutta). It is one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage in Kerala, and among the most popular religious places to visit as part of Wayanad packages.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. Situated at an altitude of about 900 m, the temple is surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. History depicts Chera king Kulasekharan as the founder of this temple. There exists documentary proof that Thirunelly at the time of Tamil Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962-1019 CE) was an important town and pilgrim center in South India. In the dense jungles surrounding the temple, the ruins of two ancient villages can be found.

The name Thirunelli derives from Nelli, the Malayalam word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree. According to mythology, once Lord Brahma traversing the world on his hamsa saw an idol of Lord Vishnu set in an Amla tree. With the help of the Devas, Brahma installed the idol here and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. Thirunelli Temple is also referred to as Amalaka temple and Sidha temple. People believe that Lord Brahma worships Perumal in the temple in the wee hours every day, hence the head priest of the temple leaves ...

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