Top Pilgrimage Sites in Kerala

Kerala, God’s own country, is not only famous for its tourist places but also for its pilgrim sites. Kerala is a state where many religions have coexisted peacefully for centuries. There are many religious sites in Kerala, including temples, churches, and mosques. Since devoutness to God is a crucial part of every Indian, it makes Kerala the centre of attraction for thousands and thousands of pilgrims every year. Kerala acts as a gateway to all the pilgrimage sites in Southern India. Here is a list of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Kerala that you may pay a visit to while touring south India.

1. Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala temple is a crucial centre for pilgrimage as it is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The temple is located in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. To reach this shrine, one has to go on a 4 km trek from Pamba. People belonging to all castes and creeds can enter the temple. However, women from the age group of 10-50 can’t enter the temple. The temple remains open only for a certain period (from November to mid-February), and this period is called Mandalakalam. The temple remains closed for the rest of the year. It is one of the best places to visit in December in South India.

The temple is 191 km from Thiruvananthapuram International, and the nearest railway stations, such as Kottayam and Chengannur railway station, are within 90 km from Pamba.

2. Thirunelli Temple

Devotees can experience one of the most beautiful places in South India at the Thirunelli temple, located at the height of 900 feet in Wayanad beside Brahmagiri. This ancient temple is said to be mentioned even in the Puranas. The temple is believed to be built by Brahma. The temple is a centre of attraction for many pilgrims and tourists due to its location. A cold stream called Papanasini flows near the temple.

The word Papanasini translates to “destroyer of sins”. Therefore, thousands of pilgrims come here every year to take a dip to wash their sins. Apart from the religious significance, the water is believed to have medicinal powers which heal various ailments.

The temple is located 150 km from the Kozhikode airport and 130 km from Kozhikode.

3. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The exquisite Dravidian architecture is reflected on the walls of Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple. The temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The temple is the richest in the country and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was built in the 8th century and is one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The teme has three doors that help devotees witness the gold-plated idols of deities. The three doors symbolise the past, present, and future. Apart from being a place of pilgrimage, this temple is a centre of attraction for architecture lovers.

To visit the temple, one must follow the strict dress codes that the temple authorities have provided. Men must wear only dhotis without any shirt or t-shirt. Women must wear a saree, skirt, and blouse to enter the temple.

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4. St. Mary’s church

Kerala is also home to many sacred churches, apart from the sacred Hindu temples. The state boasts of many ancient churches for those planning to visit Kerala. St Mary’s church, located in Kuravilangad, is one such must-visit place for pilgrimage. The church was built in 355AD and is adorned by a statue of the Virgin Mary built from granite. Apart from the statue of the Virgin Mary, the church also includes a 48-feet granite single-block cross in front of the church.

The ancient church is located 48 km from the Cochin International Airport and approximately 18 km from the Kottayam railway station.

5. Guruvayoor

Guruvayoor Shree Krishna temple is one of the five famous Krishna temples in the country. The temple is also known as “Bhuloka Vaikuntha”. The place is also said to be the Dwarka of the south. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Guruvayoor to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. Apart from the religious side, the place is also visited for nature and the panoramic view. The temple is well connected to other towns and cities of the state by both rail and road. In addition, the place is connected to nearby towns and cities of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The temple is located 80 km from the Cochin International Airport. The nearest railway station to the place is the Guruvayoor railway station. Moreover, you can also check out our ultimate travel guide for Kerala here!

6. Janardhana Swamy Temple

Near the popular Varkala beach is another serene place of pilgrimage, the Janardhana Swamy temple. The temple is 2000 years old and an important place of pilgrimage for Vaishnavites. The Arattu festival is an important festival observed in this temple in the month of March-April. The origin of this temple is also mentioned in the Vedas. The Papanasam beach is also a nearby spot of tourist attraction, which serves the devotees to perform various rites and rituals.

The Varkala railway station and the Trivandrum international airport are located 3 km and 55 km away from the temple.

7. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple

The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple is located in the Ambalapuzha in the Alappuzha district. The devotees can witness the child form of Krishna. The idol of Shree Krishna is carved out of granite stone. The temple is well known for its Palpayasam, a rice porridge made of rice, milk, and sugar. The temple also holds a 10-day festival in the month of Meenam (March-April).

The temple is located 64 km from the Cochin international airport and 14 km from the Alappuzha Railway Station.

8. St Andrew’s Church

The St Andrew church is one of the most popular churches in Kerala, located in Arthunkal in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. Thousands of devotees visit the church to offer their prayers to St Sebastian. The statue of St Sebastian that adorns the church was sculpted in Milan. The church is located at a distance of 21 km from Alappuzha town.

The church is located 85 km from the Cochin international airport. The nearest railway station to the church is the Cherthala railway station, 8 km from the church.

9. Beemapally Mosque

Apart from temples and churches, the state also houses several mosques, among which the Beemapally mosque is the most famous. This beautiful mosque is located on the outskirts of the capital city of Kerala. The unique thing about this mosque is that it is dedicated to Beema Umma’s woman. The woman was believed to be a part of the Prophet Mohammed’s family and possessed many miraculous powers. The place is visited by thousands of devotees irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion.

10. Mahadev Temple

The Mahadev temple, located in the Alappuzha district, is again a place of pilgrimage that is visited not only by devotees of Shiva but also by art lovers from all over the country. Another unique thing to notice is that Goddess Parvati is also worshipped in this temple and Lord Shiva. The temple features some exquisite woodwork. Arrattu, an annual festival related to the menstruation ceremony, is celebrated every December and January. The festival is celebrated for 28 days.

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Conclusion

These are the top 10 pilgrimage sites you can visit when you go to Kerala next. Kerala, apart from housing numerous pilgrimage sites, is also called the land of spices. You can visit spice gardens and many other blissful sites for nature lovers. The backwaters of Kerala are also one of the most important tourist places. While visiting a place of pilgrimage, you must plan the visit that includes many things such as the places to visit, accommodation, transport, etc. You can get the best listings of great hotels and flights at great prices according to your destination at Cleartrip. Visit Cleartrip’s official website today to know more about exciting destinations!

FAQs

What are the major pilgrimage sites of Kerala?

The major pilgrimage sites of Kerala include the Guruvayur temple, Palayoor church, the basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, and many more.

Which God is worshipped in the Guruvayur temple?

The Guruvayur temple is dedicated to Lord Shree Krishna.

Which is the most important religious site in Kerala?

The Sabarimala temple is considered the most important religious site in Kerala.

What is the state symbol of Kerala?

The state symbol of Kerala symbolises two elephants guarding the Shri Padmanabha’s royal Conch. This signifies the importance of the temple and the deity.

Which is the most famous Shiva temple in Kerala?

The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is considered one of the most powerful Shiva temples in the country and hence, is quite famous.

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