Pilgrim Centres

Aranmula Pilgrim Center

The Parthasarathi Temple (dedicated to Sree Krishna) on the banks of the holy river Pamba is a major pilgrim centre. The Aranmula boat race is held on Chathayam. The Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music, as well as Kalaripayattu. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Parthasarathi Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century.

Malayattoor

Malayattoor is  a famous Catholic Church, dedicated to St. Thomas the apostle of Jesus Christ. It is located on top of the Malayattoor hill, at a height of 609 m.  Thousands of pilgrims gather here for the annual festival of 'Malayatoor Perunnal', held during the months of March /April.

Those interested in the architecture of the church would find it highly interesting. It has a combination of Greco-Roman architecture with the altar designed in traditional Greek style, and the front portion of the church following the traditional Roman Catholic Church architecture. Behind the central altar, one can find the carvings, designs and paintings, which include the five joyful mysteries of Jesus Christ. The church has separate facilities for confession and adoration. The ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit are of historical relevance.

Kaviyoor

The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple at Kaviyoor, located on the banks of the river Manimala, is a place of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture and has prompted historians to date it to a period as early as the eighth century AD.

The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine Lord Siva represented in the ' Sivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.

Niranam

Niranam church is believed to be among one of the seven-and-a-half churches originally established by St. Thomas (52 AD) in Kerala. This church displays a marked influence of ancient temple architecture and is a renowned centre of worship for the Christian community. This is also the birth place of the poets and social reformers popularly known as the Karnassa Kavikal. The St. Thomas art gallery here has been built by an Ecumenical body known as Niranam Thomathu Kadavu Smaraka Trust.

Niranam is also famous as the birthplace of a band of 14th century poets known as the Niranam Kavikal or Kannassa Panikkars. They were renowned for their many translations from Sanskrit to Malayalam, the most illustrious being 'Kannassaramayanam', a translation of the epic Ramayana.

Ochira

Ochira Temple, situated on the way from Kollam to Alappuzha has a definitive structural layout and mode of worship The temple at Ochira does not have a proper structure or an idol for the visitors to worship. The whole concept of worship revolves around the Parabrahmam or the universal consciousness. This unique temple setting itself is a big attraction to hundreds of visitors coming to the temple everyday, irrespective religious faith.

The temple is also known as Dakshina Kashi and a unique offering to the temple is in the form of bulls. Another interesting aspect in connection with the temple is the annual festival called Ochira Kali, where men; both young and old step into waterlogged paddy fields and indulge in mock fights, involving physical skills of the participants.

Parassinikadavu

This centre of worship and faith has in store many unique practices and rituals, and the temple architecture itself stands testimony to this aspect. Located 20 km away from Kannur, a northern district of Kerala, the Parassinikadavu Muthappan (Siva) Temple on the banks of the Valapatnam River attracts people from all sections of the society; irrespective of religion, caste and promotes the essence of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam - The whole world is one family."

The temple is a popular destination for travellers and pilgrims to feel the charm of Theyyam, a ritual that is performed here on a daily basis. Men adorning masks and costumes with a riot of colours perform this temple art form and it represents conflict between good and evil, with good ultimately emerging victorious.

The Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The Padmanabha Swamy Temple, which is built in traditional Kerala and Dravidian style, is situated near the fort. The architecture of this seven-storeyed temple tower itself is a sight to behold. The deity of the temple is Lord Padmanabha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of life according to Hindu belief. Here, the 18 feet long deity is seen as lying on a serpent called Anantha. The Kings of Travancore ruled the land as the servants of Lord Padmanabha. Inside the temple, a mandapam (platform with pillars) carved out of a single piece of rock displays eye-catching sculptures.

Fort Kochi

This centuries old church at Fort Kochi was originally built completely of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795 and is at present governed by the Church of South India. Vasco Da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains.

Ittiva Cave Temple

The cave temple at Ittiva at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district is virtually carved out from a gigantic piece of rock, lying in the middle of a paddy field. From a distance this architectural wonder gives the impression of a sleeping elephant. This rock cut temple represents the vibes of an ancient culture and also the traditional artistic excellence prevalent at that time. The temple, also known as Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple, has two square rooms with the main deity of Lord Ganapathy in between. The other deities include Lord Siva in the form of Siva Lingam, Hanuman and Nandikeswara. A Mandapam (roof) in front of one of the rooms stands testimony to the skill of those who build this temple from a single piece of rock. The temple premise also has a well that never dries up.

Thodikulam

Temples and palaces were the ancient galleries for mural paintings in Kerala. One such at Kannur district which has been attracting a large number of art lovers from all over the world is the Siva temple at Kannavam. Here there are nearly 150 mural paintings, on an area of 700 sq ft. in about 40 panels, drawn on the four walls of the sanctum sanctorum.

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha SreeKrishna Swami Temple is 15 km south of Alappuzha. This temple is famous all over India for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are on display on the inner walls of the Chuttambalam. Ottanthullal, a satiric art form originated by the poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first performed on the premises of this temple.