|
|
|
Maramon
Kozhenchery is the venue of the great Christian religious convention called
Maramon Convention. It is held on the vast sands of the River Pamba is said
to be the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia.
Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple
It situated in the heart of Alleppey town, dedicated to Goddess
Rajarajeswari. The nine days Navarathri festival is celebrated with great
devotion and importance. The last two days are most auspicious. Colourful
processions participated by nine elephants are held in the evening. Also
many cultural programmes are held in honour of this festival for thousands
of devotees who come there.
|
|
|
Jewish synagogue
This is the oldest synagogue, which was built in 1568. It is well known for
the 18t h century hand printed, willow patterned flow tiles from china, the
great scrolls of the old testament, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on
stone slabs, ancient scripts on copper plates etc. there are also gold and
silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons.
Mattanchery Jewish Synagogue
Kalady - Adi Sankaracharya
10kms away from Alwaye is a famous pilgrim center Kalady, situated on the
banks of River Periyar, which is the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, the
great Indian philosopher of the 8th century. There is a shrine dedicated to
him in the name of Dakshimurthy and a temple of goddess Sharada. Also and
ancient Shri Krishna Temple is situated close by, which was the family
temple of Adi Sankaracharya, known as the International temple dedicated to
Shri Ramakrishna. There is also a place situated there called the crocodile
ghat, where this great philosopher took his vows of renunciation.
Malayattoor - St. Thomas
47 kms from Kochi is a famous Catholic Church, built on the 609 feet high
Malayattur hill dedicated to St. Thomas, as it is believed that he had once
prayed here. Thousands of devotees visit this church to pray during the
annual festival "Malayaattur Perunnal", which is held during March- April.
St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin
Built by Portuguese, St. Francis Church in memory of Franciscan Friars in
1503. This is the first European church in India. It was restored in 1779 by
the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican church by the British in
1795, and is presently used by the protestants in south India. Vaso-Da-Gama
was buried here. But fourteen years later, his mortal remains were taken to
Lisbon, in Portugal. His tombstone still remains here.
|
|
|
|
|
Vamanamoorth Temple
In Thrikakkara near Ernakulam is this beautiful temple where the
inscriptions from the 10th to 13th century are found.
Anandasram (spiritual centre)
15 kms from Bekal, this internationally renowned spiritual centre founded by
Swami Ramdas in 1939, offers a quiet, peaceful ambience best suited for
medication and spiritual studies.
Ananthapura (Lake Temple)
This 9th century temple is the only lake temple in Kerala and is 12km.
northeast of Kasargod. It is the Moolasthanam (original seat) of
Anandapadmanabha, the deity of Sri padmanabha Swami Temple in
Thiruvananthapuram.
Bela (church)
15 kms north of Kasargode, is the famous church of Our Lady of Sorrows,
which is the oldest in the district, constructed in 1890.
Bharananganam
This is one of the important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala.
The mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-46), who was pronounced as
blessed is kept in St. Mary's Church here. This 1000 yrs old church features
an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.
Changanachery Thrikodithanam Temple
It is believed that this is one of the five temples where the original
Vishnu image worshipped by the Pandavas is kept. 'The Deepam" festival is
celebrated here with great joy in the month of November or December.
Erumelli
This is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus and Muslims. Sree
Dharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to lord Ayyappa and
there is also an ancient mosque dedicated to 'Vavar' who is considered to be
the friend of lord Ayyappa. 'Petta Thullal' of Kanni Ayyappa is an important
festival held in December or January.
Ettumanoor
12 kms north of Kottayam, is the ancient Shiva Temple, which attracts many
devotees. There are exquisite mural paintings and sculptures inside the
temple. The Ramayana scenes from Santhana Gopala Krishna Leela and
Bhagavatham are beautifully carved round the shrine. The state
Archaeological dept. has opened a mural art centre near the temple. The
annual festival of the temple is held in February or March and it lasts for
10 days.
Mahadevar Temple
This is a famous temple in Ettumanoor, which is 12 kms north of Kottayam
town. It is well known for its murals, especially the painting of Nataraja
in the Gopuram and Ezharaponnana (71/2 elephants finished in gold). The
temple festival, Ezharaponnana utsavam is in February or March.
Mannanam
An important Syrian Christian Centre, the town of Mannanam, 8kms from
Kottayam, sites the St. Joseph Monastery, associated with the name of Fr.
Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805-71), one of the saintly figures of the
Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Among renowned institutions here is the
St. Joseph Press, which was established in 844. This is one of the oldest
printing presses in Kerala. It printed the Nasrani Deepika, one of Kerala's
oldest newspapers.
Aranmula
The Parthasarathi Temple, dedicated to Sree Krishna, on the banks of the
holy River Pamba, attractions large crowds of devotees. The famous Aranmula
snake boat race is held on the last day of the weeklong Onam festival. The 'Vijinana
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 also has fine murals from
the 18th century. Aranmula is also very famous for its hand made mirrors of
polished metal called ' Aranmula Kannadi', which is a unique craft and not
found anywhere else in the world.
Cherukolpuzha (Convention Place)
An important religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the
banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year.
Kadamanitta (Famous Temple)
The Akadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten long 'Padayani'
performances held in connection with the annual festival in April - May.
Kaviyoor (Temple Area)
5kms east of Thiruvalla, situated on the banks of the River Manimala,
Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. The Kaviyoor Temple and the rock cut
temple nearby are of great archaeological importance. The Hanuman Temple
stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture. The
stone figures here are considered to be the earliest specimen of stone
sculpture in Kerala.
Kodumao Chilanthiyambalam (Miraculous Water)
The water of the 'Chilanthikinar' well in the premises of this temple is
believed to cure skin diseases.
Kozhencherry (Maramon Convention)
Situated on the banks of the River Pamba, Kozhencherry is well known for the
religious Maramon Convention held annually in Feb-March, which is the
biggest gathering of Christians in Asia. People of all communities attend
it, as religious thinkers and Christian scholars from across the world
address the convention.
Malayapuzha
8 km from Pathanamthitta, the goddess at the Bhagavathy temple here, is
believed to grant boons to devotees and help them realise their dreams. The
Temples has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.
Manjanikara Church
Mar Ignatius Elias III, the hold patriot of Anthiod, while on a visit to
India, died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved at this
church, as later this place developed into a pilgrim centre. The annual
festival, Ormaperunnal is held in February.
Nilackal (Place of Worship)
The old Shiva Temple on the Pamba Pathanamthitta road is an important place
of worship. The estate of the Farming Corporation and Ecumenical Centre of
the Christians are located here.
Niranam (Oldest Church)
7 kms from Thiruvalla at Niranam is the oldest Christian Church in India,
believed to be built by St. Thomas in 52 AD
Pandalam (Pilgrim Town)
14 kms from Chengannur railway station, Pandalam, as a holy town is perhaps
second to Sabrimala. Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his
human sojourn here, as the son of Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple
near the palace, on the banks of River Achenkovil has been modeled on the
Sabarimala Shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship, before proceeding
to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred
ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to
Sabarimala.
Parumala (festival)
10 kms from Thiruvalla, the Ormaperunal (commemoration day) of Mar
Gregorious Metropolitan, the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, is
celebrated on the first and second of November.
Sabarimala (Pilgrim Centre)
One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on
the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 m above sea
level and is accessible only by foot, from Pamba (4kms). The hold shrine
dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over
India, from different castes, creed, especially from other parts of South
India. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim
season, which is from Nov to mid Jan. The Temple remains closed during the
rest of the year, except for the first five days of every Malayalam month
and during 'Vishu' in April. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills
like Karimala and Neelimala. Men of all ages are allowed inside the temple
but women only below 10 years and above 50 years of age are permitted
inside.
Thiruvalla (Religious Place)
This is the headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church. The
Paliakara Church here has some exquisite mural paintings. The SreeVallabha
Temple in Thiruvalla is perhaps the only one in Kerala, where Kathakali is
performed as a ritual offering everyday.
Visit Photo Gallery
|
Feedback/Suggestions
|
Kerala News
|
Live Help ? |
|
