Top 10 Most Famous Temples in Kerala

Kerala is a state in India situated on the south-western Malabar Coast of India. It is also known as “God’s own country”. Kerala is famous for tourism and spirituality. There are so many ancient temples that are ideal for people who like to go on the path of the spiritual world.

Most of the temples are the perfect place for those who are doing research on architectural monuments. You can see unique cultures, festivals and traditions in each part of Kerala.

Here is List of 10 Famous Temples in Kerala are:

If you are interested in a spiritual journey then here is a list of temples that will fulfil your dream.

1. Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is situated in Pathanamthitta district, near Periyar tiger reserve. This ancient temple is on the hilltop of the Western Ghats surrounded by forest and mountains. The God here worshipped is Ayyappa. This temple is not restricted to Hindus. Most of the people who visit this temple wear a blue or black dress and they keep vratham for 41 days.

Throughout this period of time, they are considered lord Ayyappa and are not represented by their name real name but called Ayyappa. The main festival in this temple is Mangala Puja and Makara Sankranthi during the month of Nov – Mid Jan. This Temple is open only at the time of the festival and the first six days of all Malayalam month.

Key Detail of  Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Puja & Temple Timing: The temple opens for worship only during certain specific periods: Mandala Pooja (approximately November to December), Makaravilakku or Makar Sankranti (January), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.

Entry Fee: Free entry; however, virtual queue booking is available online for darshan.

How to Reach: Sabarimala is accessible by foot from Pamba, which is the main halting point. Nearest airports are Cochin International Airport (about 160 km) and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (about 170 km). From either airport, one can take a taxi or bus to Pamba.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Erumely Vavar Mosque, Pamba River, and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Morning Pooja Timings (IST):

• Opening of sanctum sanctorum, Nirmalyam, Abhishekam: 3:00 AM
• Ganapati Homam: 3:30 AM
• Neyyabhishekam: From 3:30 to 7:00 AM
• Usha Pooja: From 7:30 AM
• Neyyabhishekam: From 8:30 – 11:00 AM
• Neyyabhishekam/Using Ghee deposited in ‘Ney thoni’: 11:10 AM
• Ashtabhishekham (15 nos): From 11:00 to 11:30 AM
• Ucha Pooja: 12:30 PM
• Closing of sanctum sanctorum: 1:00 PM

Evening Pooja Timings:

• Opening of sanctum sanctorum: 3:00 PM
• Deeparadhana: 6:30 PM
• Pushpabhishekam: From 7:00 to 9:30 PM
• Athazha Pooja: From 9:30 PM
• Harivarasanam/Closing of sanctum sanctorum: 11:00 PM

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2. Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple

Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple is located in Guruvayur, Thrissur district, Kerala. This famous temple is dedicated to God Guruvayurappan, a form of Vishnu. Devotees consider this place as “Bhuloka Vaikunda” which means “holy Abode of Vishnu on earth”.

The idol of God is carved with a special stone “Patanlanjana stone” that has several medicinal properties. Guruvayur Ekadashi, Janmashtami etc are the famous festivals in this temple. Check out Thrissur Pooram, Festival, Kerala its Ritual and Culture

Puja & Temple Timing: Temple opens early around 3:00 AM with the “Nirmalyam” ritual and closes around 9:30 PM after the “Athazha Puja” and “Tripuka”. Note that the timings can vary on special occasions.

Entry Fee: No entry fee, but special poojas and offerings have specified charges.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 80 km away. Guruvayur is well-connected by train and bus services as well.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Elephant Camp Sanctuary (Punnathur Kotta), Mammiyoor Temple, and Guruvayur Devaswom Museum.

Read also folk dance of Kerala: Discover Traditional Dance Forms in Kerala

3. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in the state capital, Trivandrum.  This temple is dedicated to Pathmanabha swami, which means Vishnu. You can see the deity here is in “Ananthashayanam” or “yogic sleep” posture on the serpent Adisheshan. It is one of the oldest temples in India.

The Temple was constructed in the 8^th century in Dravidian style. It is believed that this temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams. The name of the place Thiruvananthapuram itself is connected to this temple. English translation of Thiruvananthapuram is “The city of Lord Anantha”. The main festivals in this temple are Alpashy in Oct/Nov and Panguni in March/ April.

Puja & Temple Timing: The temple is open for darshan in the early morning from 03:30 AM to 04:45 AM, again at 06:30 AM to 07:00 AM, and through several slots till the evening, closing at 07:20 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee, but there are charges for special poojas and darshan.

How to Reach: Located in Thiruvananthapuram, it’s easily accessible by taxi or auto from anywhere in the city. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum, Napier Museum, and Thiruvananthapuram Zoo.

4. Chottanikkara Devi Temple

Chottanikkara Devi Temple is in Ernakulam district. The Goddess here worshipped is Lakshmi Devi or Bhagavathi. It is believed that Chottanikkara Bhagavathi is very powerful in treating mental disorders.

You can see many people with mental difficulties doing prayer in this temple. The speciality of this temple is that the Bhagavathi is worshipped in three different forms here; Saraswati in the morning, Lakhmi at noon and Kali in the evening. The most popular festival in this temple is Chottanikkara “Makam Thozhal”.

Read also: Kerala’s October Wonders: Best Places to Explore

Puja & Temple Timing: The temple opens at 04:00 AM with the “Nirmalyam” offering and closes at 12:00 PM. It reopens at 04:00 PM and closes at 08:30 PM after the “Athazha Puja”.

Entry Fee: No entry fee; offerings and special poojas have their own charges.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 37 km away. The temple is easily accessible by road from Kochi.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Hill Palace Museum, Kerala Folklore Museum.

Get More Information: Top 10 facts about the Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

Read also: Explore Kerala in 4 Days: Perfect for Family Trips

5. Mannarasala – Nagaraja Temple

Mannarasala – Nagaraja temple is a very popular temple dedicated to serpent gods. This temple is situated in the Alappuzha district. It is believed that couples who don’t have children pray in this temple will definitely be blessed by Nagaraja and their wish will fulfil soon.

When the baby is born the couple used to come here with their baby for a thanksgiving ceremony and they offer an image of a snake. You can see so many serpent images all over the temple. The main festival of this temple is Mannarasala Ayilyam and Shivarathri.

Read also: South India’s Best Travel Spots for October Adventures

Puja & Temple Timing: Open daily from 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 05:30 PM to 07:30 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee; offerings for various rituals have specified charges.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. The temple is located in Haripad, which is well-connected by road.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Haripad Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Alappuzha Beach.

Get More Information: A Traveler’s Guide to Guruvayur Temple

6. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple

Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple is a very ancient temple built in the 17^th century. The God in this temple is Parthasarathy, a form of Vishnu. You can see the deity is holding a whip in the right hand and a conch in the left hand. The main prasadam here is Palpayasam, a sweet pudding made with rice and milk.

It is believed that Lord Guruvayurappan visit the temple while serving this Palpayasam. So if you are visiting this temple don’t forget to get this delicious divine Prasadam. The Arattu festival in this temple is in the month of March – April.

Puja & Temple Timing: The temple opens at 03:00 AM for “Palliyunarthal” and closes at 12:30 PM. It reopens for evening darshan at 05:00 PM and closes at 08:00 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee; specific rituals and offerings have charges.

How to Reach: The nearest major railway station is Alappuzha (Alleppey). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Alappuzha Beach, Krishnapuram Palace.

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7. Ettumanoor – Vaikom – Kaduthuruthy Temple

These three temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and are in the Kottayam district, Kerala. If you are planning to visit any one of these temples, then you have to visit the other two temples also. These deities are very powerful and the temples are very ancient.

The famous festival in Vaikom temple is Vaikom Ashtami, the famous festival in Ettumanoor temple is Thiruulavam in Kumbham and the famous festival in Kaduthuruthy Mahadev temple is in December.

These temples form a sacred triangle pilgrimage in Kerala, each with its unique timings and significance.

Puja & Temple Timing: Each temple has specific timings usually from early morning around 04:00 AM to evening around 08:00 PM with breaks in between.

Entry Fee: No entry fee; various poojas and offerings have their own rates.

How to Reach: Nearest airport to these temples is Cochin International Airport. They are well-connected by road and can be reached by taxi or bus.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Vembanad Lake.

8. Thiruvanchikkulam Shiva Temple

This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Kodungallur, Thrissur district. Here you can see unique mural paintings on the walls. This ancient temple was built in the 8^th century during the Chera period.

Lord Shiva here is considered as Mahadev and Parvathy is considered as Umadevi. The main festival of this temple is Brahmotsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikahi that may come the month from May – June.

Puja & Temple Timing: Opens at 04:00 AM and closes after the evening puja around 08:00 PM, with a break from noon till 04:00 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. The temple is easily accessible by road from Kodungallur.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Cheraman Juma Masjid.

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9. Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu is situated in Memunda in Kozhikode district. It is an official family temple of 500 Aryan Nagariks who migrated to Kerala. The main Goddess worshipped here is Durga Devi. The historical importance of this temple is that Thacholi Othenan used to visit this temple and worship the goddess every day.

The important festivals in this temple are Mandala Utsvam that is celebrated for 30 days and Navarathri Utsavam. You can also watch a unique folk dance known as Poorakkali, which is similar to Kalaripayattu during the festival time.

Read also: Exploring the Sacred Temples of Rameshwaram

Puja & Temple Timing: Open from 05:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM.

Entry Fee: No entry fee.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport. The temple is accessible by road from Vatakara.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Vatakara Sand Banks, Kappad Beach.

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10. Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple

This beautiful temple is famous for its architectural brilliance. This temple is situated on the bank of the Valapattanam River in the Kannur district.  The deity is Lord Muthappan, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Everyone can enter this temple irrespective of their caste and religion even the dog are allowed in this temple. You can see the dog’s statue on both sides of the entrance gate which makes it unique. The important offering to Lord Muthappan is alcohol. Learn More: Celebration of the Maha Shivratri in India

Puja & Temple Timing: The temple performs rituals in the morning at around 05:30 AM and in the evening at around 06:30 PM. The Theyyam performance is a unique feature here.

Entry Fee: No entry fee.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Kannur International Airport. It is well-connected by road and easily accessible from Kannur city.

Other Nearby Key Attractions: Parassinikadavu Snake Park, St. Angelo Fort.

Visiting the temple is a peace-searching process. This will give you a relaxing trip and keep you emotionally stable in all situations. Keep practising this kind of pilgrim visiting trip in life often.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the most famous temples in Kerala?

The most famous temples in Kerala include Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Guruvayur Krishna Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, and Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur.

2. Which is the biggest Shiva temple in Kerala?

The biggest Shiva temple in Kerala is the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur. It is renowned for its grand architecture and is an important pilgrimage site.

3. What is the significance of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its wealth and intricate architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the richest temples in the world.

4. Are there any famous Krishna temples in Kerala?

Yes, the Guruvayur Temple is the most famous Krishna temple in Kerala. It is a major pilgrimage site and attracts devotees from all over India.

5. What is the importance of the Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. It is known for its strict pilgrimage rituals and attracts millions of devotees annually.

6. Which temples in Kerala are known for their beautiful architecture?

Temples like the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Vadakkunnathan Temple, and Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple are known for their stunning architecture and intricate carvings.

7. Are there any unique or unusual temples in Kerala?

Yes, the Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple is unique because it is dedicated to the serpent god Nagaraja and has over 30,000 snake idols within its premises.

8. What are some famous Devi temples in Kerala?

Famous Devi temples in Kerala include the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple in Ernakulam, and Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur.

9. Which is the oldest temple in Kerala?

The Sree Parasurama Temple in Thiruvallam is considered one of the oldest temples in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala.

10. How many temples are there in Kerala?

Kerala is home to thousands of temples, each with its own unique history and significance. Some estimates suggest there are over 10,000 temples in the state.