Pilgrimage
Padmanabha Swamy temple
It is Thiruvananthapuram's most sacred temple and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra). This is an ancient temple and the city of Thiruvananthapuram derives its name from the name of the presiding deity enshrined in the temple. The temple is a blend of Kerala and Dravidian style architecture.
Santhigiri Ashram
The Ashram situated in quiet green surroundings ringed by hillocks at Pothencode, 21 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, serves as the fulcrum of a 'Guru-Shishya Parampara' (Guru-Disciple lineage) founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru as per Divine Revelation. The 'Santhigiri Parampara' has followers in different parts of the world who have adopted a worship system based on faith in One Universal God with Guru as the path to that Transcendent Supreme Plane (Guru Margam).
Sivagiri Mutt
It is an 'Ashram' founded by the great Hindu reformer and philosopher, Sree Naravana Guru, also known as Sree Narayana Guru Swami.
Sree Narayana Guru was a Hindu saint, sage, prophet and one of the greatest social reformers of India and a contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi. He was instrumental in setting the spiritual foundations for social reform in Kerala and was one of the most successful social reformers who tackled caste in India. His call for equality among people found a great following. His teachings have had a profound effect on the caste-ridden society of Kerala and helped the state achieve great social progress when compared to other states of India.
The Mutt is also headquarter of the 'Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham', a religious organisation established by the Guru to propagate his concept of 'One Caste, One Religion, One God'. The ashram situated approximately 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram.
Amritanandamayi Ashram
Mata Amritanandamayī Devi is a Hindu spiritual leader and teacher, who is revered as a saint by her followers, who also know her as "Amma". She is widely respected for her humanitarian activities. She is sometimes referred to as "The Hugging Saint".
Her birthplace is now the headquarters of Amma's worldwide mission and the spiritual home for Amma's monastic disciples and hundreds of householder devotees. It is called Amritapuri Ashram. Amma's devotees, from across India and abroad, flock here to have Amma's darshan. The two closest airports are in Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km north).
Sabarimala
It is perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala. It is located high up in the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. Mandala pooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).
Kaladi
It is a village located east of the Periyar river, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is the birthplace of Sri Adi Shankara, and thus is a popular destination for pilgrims. The festivals celebrated here with much gusto are Sankara Jayanti which is celebrated for five days in April or May every year. Navaratri is celebrated for nine days during September or October with music.
Malayatoor
It is one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in the Ernakulam district. The Malayatoor Church attracts a large number of devotees from not just Kerala, but also all over India. The church is dedicated to St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ. Thousands of pilgrims gather here for the annual festival of 'Malayatoor Perunnal', during the months of March /April. The place is rich in natural beauty. The biggest and most auspicious occasion here is the feast of St. Thomas, which is observed on the first Sunday after Easter, when thousands throng the shrine for his blessings.
Cheraman Juma Masjid
This mosque in Kodungallur is believed to be built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Deenar. It is considered as the oldest mosque in India, and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers. It was constructed during the lifetime of Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here. The mosque faces eastwards unlike the other mosques in Kerala that westwards. The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style which is employed in construction of Hindu temples. Similar to Hindu tradition, the mosque uses brass oil lamps.
Guruvayur temple
This temple is located 29 km north west to Thrissur considered as the cultural capital of Kerala. The temple's deity is Lord Guruvayurappan in the form of Balagopalan (Krishna in the form of a child). Guruvayur has emerged as one of the most important places of worship in Southern India. Guruvayur is a major venue for the south Indian classical Carnatic music, especially during its auspicious Ekadasi day. The temple also holds the annual festival (ulsavam) during which it hosts classical arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thayambaka and Panchari Melam.
Sree Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple
The Temple is situated at Kadampuzha, 30 km from Malappuram on Thrissur-Kozhikode highway 3 km north of Vettichira attracts hundreds of devotees far and near. Dry coconut is the main offering before the deity. Bhagavathy temple is said to have been set up by Sree Sankaracharya, the philosopher. The deity here is goddess Durga, who, it is believed possesses immense curative and rewarding power.
Ananthapura Lake Temple
The Temple (Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple) is a ninth century hindu shrine in the northern most district (Kasargod) of Kerala. This is the only lake temple in Kerala and is the original seat (Moolasthana) of Padmanabha Swamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram. Legend has it that this is the original site where Anantha Padmanabha settled down. The temple's lake is also home to a crocodile, which is supposed to be the guard of the temple. When one dies, another mysteriously takes its place.
