Temples of Kerala

Ancient Dravidian culture has resulted in many places of worship in Kerala. Temples of Kerala has always held an honoured position in the life of the people. Many of the ancient temples were constructed and reconstructed with significant contribution from all the people of the society, be it King, noble or commoner. Important fact about the temples of Kerala is that the origins of only a few can be securely dated. Famous temples were built thousands of years back and were renovated or rebuilt so many times due to heavy and torrential rainfall, that most of the temples in Kerala have lost their early vestiges. Most famous of all the temples are Guruvayoor and Sabarimala temples.
Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor temple in Kerala holds the same place among the devotees of Kerala as the Tirupati temple of Andhra Pradesh. Guruvayoor is the temple of the “Narayaniya”. Guruvayoor is an ancient temple, origin of which lies in an episode narrated in the “Mahabharat”. However, most of the temple as they stand today is the result of the constructions in 16th and 17th century. Older vestiges have disappeared in frequent renovations and reconstructions.
Temple is said to have fulfilled wishes of many. Millions of devotees visit the temple to worship at the temple. One must visit the during the festivals when the temple is full of devotees and pilgrims from all over India. There are about unceasing round of rituals till late night. Elephants take a leading part in the festivals of Guruvayoor temple.
Guruvayoor temple is about 80 km from Kochi and 30 km from Thrissur.
Important Festivals – 10 day Utsavom which falls in February – March and starts with elephant race, Vishnukani in April – May, Ashtami Rohini in August – September and Sukla Paksha Ekadashi in November – December.

Sabarimala Temple
Ayyappa Temple on Sabarimala Hill is a very popular temple among the Hindu pilgrims. Annual pilgrimage which falls in the month of January is a great occassion and millions of pilgrims visit Sabarimala temple to worship in this period. Origin of the temple is hard to trace but there is a strong belief among the devotees that the temple came into the world to rid it of evil and protect the good. It is believed that Sabarimala has been a holy place since time immemorial. It is associated with the woman saint , Sabari, who figures in the “Ramayana”.
Sabarimala temple is 180 km from Trivandrum.