Majestic Temples of India

Chowalloor Shiva Temple, Thrissur KERALA Chowalloor Shiva Kshetram is one among the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala where Prathista was done by Parasurama. Temple is located at a distance of just 3km from Guruvayoor Temple. We can worship Entire Shiva Kutumbam here (Shiva, Parvathy, Ganesha, Subrahmanian, Ayyappa, and Anjaneya). Parama Shiva is Swayambhu here. Sthala Puranam says that, Sree Vadakunnathan was pleased with his devotee of Chowalloor Mazhavannoor Mana. A Namboodiri from the Mana visited Vadakunnathan regularly. But when he became old and was not able to visit Vadakunnathan, Mahadeva is said to have accompanied him to his native home in Chowalloor. Thus, a temple was constructed at the place where Paramashiva gave darshan to the Namboodiri and regular pooja was started here. Sapthamathrukkal, are also worshipped in the Temple. The main festival in the Temple is the Maha Shivaratri. Mangalya pooja is conducted

Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple, Thrissur KERALA Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple, earlier known as Pallipurath Mahavishnu temple is of about 500 years old. This was a Mahavishnu temple, before Bhagavathy Prathishta. Sthala puranam says that Devi came from Varanasi with the King of Cochin who was a great Devi Bhakth. Sri Moolasthanam is in a peepal tree which is at the entrance of the temple. Interesting story tells how Devi came inside the temple from Sri Moolasthanam. During a festival here, a small girl came inside the Thidappally (cooking area) of temple and asked for food. She sat inside Thidappally and ate the food provided to her and suddenly disappeared. The King who realized it was Devi, made all arrangements for Prathishta inside Thidappally itself. There is a strange ritual here, which is Kozhi parathal (flying a rooster). It is said that Devi came in the form of a rooster. A custom of offering live roosters to Dev

Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam KERALA Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple is a famous temple where Shiva is worshipped in Vigraha Roopam. Sthala Puranam says that, once there lived a sage named Gauna Maharshi. He had a Kamandalu which was filled with water from the Saptha Nadhis. He was waiting there to worship Sree Rama who was coming that way on his way to Ayodhya. But Gauna couldn't worship Sree Rama as he was surrounded by Vanaras. In anger, he threw away his Kamandalu, and the water which flowed down formed the present Gauna Nadi. Later, Shri Rama and Mata Sita gave their Darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama suggested that, Gauna Maharshi should continue his Tapasya and gave him a Shiva Vigraham. Gauna Muni started Tapasya and did Prathishta of Vigraham. Maharshi named the place as Kadapetta Ooru which now changed as Kadapattoor. Om Nama Shivaya.

Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple, Palakkad KERALA Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple is located in Pattambi Taluk of Palakkad District. This is believed to be the first temple in Kerala, where Prathishta was done by Parasurama  Story says that, Parashurama after Creating Kerala was doing Tapasya here. But he was disturbed as the land faced turbulence. Parashurama sought Narada’s help, who advised him to pray to Vishnu. Parashurama started praying Maha Vishnu. Finally, Maha Vishnu appeared and told to do Prathishta of his Varaha Avatar. As Earth is saved in Varaha Avatar, this temple is famous to solve land related issues. Many people conduct Bhoomi puja here, which is very special here. They bring sand from around the temple which is used for pooja and then has to be returned to the same spot from where it was taken. It is also be

Valayanad Devi Temple, Kozhikode KERALA  Valayanad Bhagavathi is the family temple of the Zamorin Kings, who were the rulers of Kozhikode. Sthala puranam says how Devi came here A Fight occurred between Zamorin and Valluvanad king in which the Zamorians were defeated. Zamorians thought that Devi's blessings were with Valluvanad king, and started Devi Upasana. Satisfied with the Pooja, Devi decided to come with Zamorians on a condition that she will stay at the place where they turn back and check her. After a while of walking Zamorin turned back and Devi stood there as per her condition.  But because of their devotion Devi throw her bangle, and the spot where it fell will always have her presence. Thus, the bangle Devi threw rotated for a week and landed at the place where the temple now stands.  The place where the bangle rotated for a week came to be known as Azhchavattom (Azhcha means Week) and the place where the bangle fell became Thiruvalayanad, (Vala means Bangle).  The Sree

Thiru Kachamkurissi Maha Vishnu Temple, Palakkad KERALA Kachamkurissi Maha Vishnu Kshetram is situated in Kollengode of Palakkad district This is one among Maha Kshetrams in Palakkad. Prathishta was done by Kashyapa Muni and place was called Kashyapa Kurissi. and later came to be knows as Kachamkurissi. Sthala Puranam says that Kashyapa Muni did Tapasya here for a long time and pleased by this Maha Vishnu appeared and asked for a wish. Kashyapa requested Maha Vishnu to stay here and bless the devotees.  Maha Vishnu granted his wish and Kashyapa made a Vigraham of Chaturbahu Mahavishnu, seated on Adishesha and did Prathishta. It is believed that Kasyapa Muni did Aswamedha yagna here along with Muni Athri, Agasthya and Markandeya. The Yaga kunda is the present Kshetra Kulam called Yagna teertham. The waters are considered as sacred and will remove all Doshas. Om Namo Narayanaya

Thrikkangode Sree Randu Moorthy Temple, Ottappalam KERALA This is very unique temple as Shiva and Vishnu both are in the “linga” form in the same Garbhagriham. The Sreekovil is in a circular pattern. Temple's Prathishta was done by Parasurama.  Mahadeva and Maha Vishnu in the same Sreekovil is very rare Prathishta, but poojas are done separately Dhara is done for Maha Vishnu here. People suffering from “KAIVISHAM” and mental illness are fully cured on drinking a medicinal herb supplied by a nearby family here. The root of the banyan tree around the Ayyappa Sannidhanam is said to have great powers for skin ailments. Very ancient temple but was covered with forest for many years. Later two persons Chakki and Chaathan, while cutting trees their axe hit on the nearby Vigrahams and it suddenly started bleeding. Later Devaprashnam was held and thus found out that these were murthy'

Edappally Maha Ganapati Temple, Ernakulam KERALA Edappally Maha Ganapathy Temple is the family Kshetram of Edappally Kovilakam or Edappally Swaroopam. Ganesha, the remover of all difficulties is facing east in the Garbhagriham. Sthala Puranam says that the Vigneshwara himself appeared before the Edappally Kottaram while performing the Ganapathy Homam and accepted the offerings. Ganapathy Homam is done here daily. Several People visit here to seek fulfillment of their wishes and removal of obstacles and difficulties. The Udayasthamana Pooja (morning to evening religious ceremonies) in this temple is popular. Unniappam (Neiyyappam) is famous offering here. Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha

C herpu Bhagavathy Temple, Thrissur KERALA Temple is one among 108 Durga Kshetram in Kerala in which Prathishta was done by Parasurama. Here Bhagavathy is in the form of Bhooma Devi who is very calm in nature. Bhoomi Pooja is very special here, any issues relating Land are solved by praying here. Oil used here for lighting Deepam in the temple and for Pooram festivals are coconut oil which is very rare and said to be auspicious. Cherpu Bhaghavathy leads the Peruvanam Pooram and Arattupuzha Pooram. Devi is worshipped as Saraswathi in the morning, Lakshmi in noon and Parvathi in evening to bless everyone with Knowledge, Wealth, and Health.  Temple is situated 12 km from Thrissur town, on the Triprayar road. Cherpilamme Sharanam.

Karimpuzha Rama Temple, Palakkad KERALA Located on the banks of Karimpuzha river, this is one of the rarest Mahakshetrams in Kerala. It is believed that Shri Rama, after completing his Avatar came here and from here he went to Sarayu river. Only Hanuman accompanied Ramachandra here. Poojas are done very quickly in a concept that after finishing Pooja Bhagwan needs to leave to Sarayu River. Temple was owned by Samoodiri of Calicut. Once when temple was under renovation, and Samoodiri saw that Vigraham was damaged. They came to know that a Ramar Vigraham was in Kaypedath Nair family. But he was not willing to give Vigraham. Samoodiri forcefully took the Vigraham. Feeling sad Nair went to the temple and prayed with tears saying that if this is his Vigraham, then next day Ramar should face West, because usually Ramar will be placed East. Next morning to everyone's surprise Vigraham faced West. Samoodiri accepted his mistake and apologized to the Nair Family. Jai Sri Ram

C hittoor Shri Krishna Kshetram, Ernakulam KERALA Chittoor Shr i Krishna Temple is also called Dakshina Guruvayoor. Shri Krishna Vigraham here resembles same as that of Guruvayurappan. Sthala Puranam says that, Krishna had chosen Chittoor as his favourite land. There was a Namboodiri called Moopil Narayanan Kartha, who was an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan. He settled down in Guruvayoor so that he could daily worship Guruvayurappan. But, after a few years, his family members requested Moopil Narayanan Kartha to return to his house in Cheranallore (near Chittoor). But, he was not willing to leave Guruvayoor.  That night, Shri Krishna came to his dream and said tha t, wherever Namboodiri goes, Krishna will accompany him in his Umbrella. Namboodiri thus began his travel and reached Cheranallore Since he was tired he his Umbrella down and later he couldn’t lift it. Namboodiri understood  Krishna's presence and decided to construct a temple

Haripad Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, Alappuzha KERALA Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy temple is one of the oldest Murugan temple in Kerala.  The temple is also known as Dakshina Palani. Sthala puranam says that , Parashurama worshipped Muruga here, and left the Vigraham in Backwaters. The Land Owners dreamt that Vigraham is in backwaters of Haripad. Thus Vigraham was found from water and Pratistha was done. It’s believed that Maha Vishnu came as a Rishi to help in Pratishta of the temple. The temple caught fire in the year and everything except the Kodimaram and the Koothambalam was destroyed. Some years later, it was reconstructed. Kshetram has four Gopurams. Muruga is about 8 feet height. The Prasadam in the Temple is Panchamritham. The main festivals in are Chitira Ulsavam, Markazhi Ulsavam, and Thaipooyam. Om Muruga

A meda Sarpakavu Temple, Ernakulam KERALA Ameda Kshetram is located in the banks of Vembanad Lake. Temple is very unique and Powerful Sarpa Kavu. Parashurama did Prathishta here. Vilakku which was lighted by Parasurama is still seen inside the temple. The oil from this lamp is given to bhakthas for recovering from illness. Sthala puranam says that, Once, when Parashurama was travelling through Kerala, he reached this place. As it was evening, he stepped into the Lake for Sandhya Vandanam. At that Sapthamathrukkal, (Brahminy, Maheshwari, kowmari, vaishnavi, varahi, indirani and chamundi) were travelling there on a tortoise through the water. The tortoise was unable to move because the Water had made its way for Parashurama. The place where the tortoise became Still came to be known as Aama Ni Nidayam' (Aama means tortoise) and later become ‘Ameda’.   Parashurama came to know abou

Kadampuzha Devi Temple, Malappuram KERALA Adi Shankaracharya did Prathishta of Devi here. Temple where there is no Vigraham. Devi's chaitanyam is inside a hole. As Devi is in the form of Vanadurga here, there is no roof in the Sreekovil. Temple Story is associated with Arjuna. Arjuna prayed to Shiva Bhagwan for Pashupadashtra. Mahadeva decides to test him reaches with Parvathi Devi as Kirathas. Fight happens between both of them in the name of a boar. Arjuna showered arrows which reached a garland to Mahadeva. Arjuna realized Shiva Bhagwan and prays with utmost devotion, thus receives Pashupadashtra. When Devi felt thirsty, Bhagwan brought water here by hitting an arrow. Thus, Kadan Ambu Eitha Uzha – meaning, The Place where Kiratha Shot the Arrow. Later came to known as Kadampuzha. Adi Shankaracharya while going through this place, found it difficult to cross here. Doing tapasya he found presence of Parvathi Devi in a hole in the ground. Shankaracharya placed Sudarshana Chakra in