kerala-Pilgrimage Centres
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The temple is located inside the East Fort. The temple is a blend of the Kerala
and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and
stone carvings. This temple a sprawling complex with a magnificent seventeen
storied tower houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananthapadmanabha
(the lord who upheld creation on a lotus that sprang forth from His navel).
The 6 m image of Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent, partly covered with
gold and embellished with precious stones is viewed in three sections through
three doors. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India . Only Hindus
are allowed inside the temple. Historical records show that in 1750, The Maharaja
of Travancore on being victorious in a battle, laid down his sword and offered
himself to this temple's deity. Since then, all his successors have ruled the
land as Padmanabhadasas (servants of Padmanabha). Arattu is an important festival
here. Guruvayoor : It is one of the most sacred and imported pilgrim centers
of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple known as 'Guruvayoor
Ambalam'. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief,
the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu the
Lord of Winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 mt. high gold plated Dwajasthambam (flag post). There is also a 7 mt. high Deepasthambham (pillar of lamps), whose 13 circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple which houses the main deity. Within the temple there are also images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy.
Attukal Bhagavathi Temple
Attukal Bhagavathy temple (Mudippura), knows as the Sabarimala of women, is in Thiruvananthapuram. Attukal Ponkala, the annual festival commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February - March) and continues for nine days. Ponkala is an offering usually made in Bhagavathy temples, prepared in the form of payasam ( a liquid food in Kerala), ingredients are rice, jaggery, coconut kernel and plantain fruits. The festival begins with thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathy) which is being chanted for nine days continuously. On the ninth day, women throng the temple with ponkala pots and ingredients for cooking. Ponkala preparation starts morning and by noon would be over, then the melsanthi (chief priest) carrying Devi's sword goes around the temple sprinkling holy water and showering flowers over the preparation. After this, the idol of the Devi is being taken in procession to the Manacaud Sastha Temple with the accompaniment of thalapoli, kuthiyottom, annam, vahanam and, caparisoned elephants. Percussion in the procession include chenda, nagaswaram, band and neyyandi melam. There will also be Kumbhakudam (pageantry) during the procession. En route, the procession is received with nirapara (a pot filled with paddy and decorated with flowers usually arranged in front of traditional Kerala houses). The procession returns next morning.Sri Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala
This is a well known pilgrim centre in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts crores of pilgrims from all over India, especially from other parts of South India.Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. The devotees known as 'Ayyappas' negotiate the hills to reach the Shrine after undergoing 41 days of ' Vrutham' (self imposed devotional penance). The pilgrimage season, involving Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku comes between the latter half of November and the former half of January, every year.Ablution in River Pamba is considered as holy as ' Ganga Snanam' . Theconfluence of Hindu and Muslim deities in the form of Lord Ayyappa, and his lieutenant Vavar makes this esteemed pilgrim centre a model of communal harmony and castelessness. Vehicular traffic cannot go beyond Pamba and the last 5 kms. to the Shrine can be reached only by trekking.
Guruvayoor
It is one of the most sacred and imported pilgrim centers of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple known as 'Guruvayoor Ambalam'. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu the Lord of Winds.The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 mt. high gold plated Dwajasthambam (flag post). There is also a 7 mt. high Deepasthambham (pillar of lamps), whose 13 circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple which houses the main deity. Within the temple there are also images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy
St. George Church, Edappally, Kochi
St. George Church, Edappally, Kochi has a past that touches 593 AD. This is one of the major pilgrim centres in Kerala where even non-Christians crowd for veneration. Even during the week- days devotees throng the church to genuflect before the statue of St. George to express their gratitude for favours received through the saint. The festival begins on the 23rd of April with solemn High Mass and Litany. With each passing day divine aura is added to the festival along with colour and festivity. The parishioners join the pilgrims to take the festival gusto into its crescendo. Mellifluent music and ear shattering fire works keep the tempo of the festival. On May Day, the St. George statue is taken out of its usual podium and pedestaled on specially decked chariot for procession which has all the features of a solemn catholic religious function. Curtain comes down on the festival with the High Mass on 4 May which will be embedded with a soul stirring sermon.Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungallore
Built in the 7th century, this ancient Pallava port is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. The only remaining shore temple is a spectacular two-spired shrine which is unique in that it houses shrines for Vishnu and Shiva. The Pal lavas had perfected the art of sculpting rocks to build temples without using brick, mortar or timber and the five monolith Raths (chariots) stand as the surviving masterpieces of Pallava sculpture.Arjuna's penance is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m by 9m. This sculptural panel shows animals, Gods and Angels contemplating the descent of the Ganges from its source in the Himalayas and also depicts popular fables from the Panchatantra. Besides these, the Mahishamardhini Cave, the Krishna Mandapam and Varsha Mandapam also have beautiful reliefs depicting Vishnu reclining on the coils of seven headed serpent, Krishna as incarnation of Vishnu lifting mount Goverdhana to protect his kinsman from the wrath of Indra respectively.
