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Lokanarkavu Temple Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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Lokanarkavu Temple is located in Kozhikode District of Kerala. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the 500 Aryan Nagariks who had migrated to Kerala and their successors.

The main deity in the Lokanarkavu temple is Goddess Durga. It is adjacent to two shrines dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. The dance, performed during the festival is Thacholikali. It resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero Thacholi Othenan. The main temple, according to legend is 1500 years old.

Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu Temple History

  • Trade was the main occupation of the Aryans Brahmins. It was the temple built by the Aryans Brahmins. They accepted the traditions of the local Nairs and made a relationship with them. But on close examination, their customs and beliefs were evidently different from local Nair community.
  • The goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not a goddess. Othenan was a great devotee of Goddess Durga. But he had nothing to do with the establishment of Durga temple. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali form.
  • The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja. During such poojas, there was the sacrifice of either animals or humans to praise the Lord. This tradition was not only followed by the locals but also by the Kerala Kings and later it was modified. This was one of the common practice of the locals and kings.
  • In the older times, they have refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kerala, as none of them was an Aryan. This shows that the race spirit was so high at that time. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted. And more reclusive and settles around Lokanarkavu Temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people.
  • As time passed there were certain modifications that were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut. And cereals were meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition, Lokanarkavu Durga temple does not have any such traditions. 

Significance of the Lokanarkavu Temple

  • Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or more popularly Thacholi Othenanwas a legendary hero from North Kerala, a small state in south India. He lived in the 16th century. His real name was Udayana Kurup who started practising Kalarippayattu from a very young age. Later through practise, he became a skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless.
  • This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Thacholikali is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero Thacholi Othenan.

Lokanarkavu Temple Timings

Lokanarkavu temple remains open from 4 AM to 9 AM in the morning and 5 PM to 7 PM in the evening.

Festivals celebrated at the Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu Utsavam

This main festival of the temple, which lasts for 41 days. It is held during the Malayalam month of ‘Vrischikam’ (mid-November to mid-December). It is locally known as ‘Mandalavilakku’ Festival or ‘Mandala Utsavam’. A folk dance called ‘Thacholikali’ is performed during the temple festival. ‘Thacholikali’ is similar to the traditional martial art form called ‘Kalarippayattu’. Large numbers of people from various places flock here to see this festival. People come together to lit the lamps in the temple and the sight is worth seeing.

Meenam Festival

Meenam Festival is celebrated for eight days with ‘Kodiyettam’ (flag hoisting) on the ‘Rohini’ day. The traditional dance performance of ‘Theyyambadi Kurup’ is the special attraction on the fifth and the sixth days. On the seventh day is the ‘Nadu Valam Vekka’ and ‘Pallivetta’ (holy hunt). On the ‘Pooram’ day is the ‘Poorappattu’ and ‘Poorakkali’ (a traditional dance ritual performed by men). ‘Poorakali’, conducted during the night, is a fascinating event. ‘Poorappattu’ includes the theme from the life history of the Goddess. The idol of the goddess is taken for ‘Arattu’ on the ‘Pooram’ day.

Poojas and Rituals

Earlier rulers of Kerala used to worship goddesses by following Thamasa Pooja or Shakteya Pooja. According to this pooja, either man or animal was sacrificed to the goddess.  As time passed, this tradition was followed by generation to generation. It was followed by the local people as well as the kings of Kerala. Later, this tradition was replaced with chopping plantain or performing Poojas by making use of tender coconut and cereals, owing to the Aryanisation of temples.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to reach Lokanarkavu Temple is Karipur International Airport (Calicut International Airport). The airport is around 87 km from Memunda.

By Train: Vadakara Railway Station (or Badagara Railway Station), managed by the Southern Railways. It is the nearest railway station to reach Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple. Situated on the Kozhikode – Mangalore railway line, some of the major trains passing through Vadakara Railway Station include Kannur Express, Parasuram Express, Mangalore Mail, Malabar Express, Chennai Mail, Maveli Express, West Coast Express, Netravathi Express, and Ernakulam Express.

By Road: Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda about 6 km from Vadakara. National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara, and the place is around 48 km north of Kozhikode. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and several private bus owners operate frequent bus services to Memunda.

Where to stay

  • Hotel Paramount Tower: Hotel Paramount Tower is a luxury hotel in Calicut. It provides Wi-Fi services on its premises. The Kozhikode Beach is at 3 km from the hotel. This Calicut hotel houses 53 spacious rooms spanned across 8 floors. The rooms in this hotel are well equipped with attached bathroom, chargeable Internet connection, TV with satellite channels, minibar, and designer toiletries. There are in-house multi-cuisine restaurant and rooftop Barbeque restaurant in this hotel. The hotel facilitates currency exchange, laundry, travel desk, medical, and room services. Contact: Kozhikode, Calicut, Kerala – 673 001
  • Queens Hotel: Queens Hotel in Calicut offers a total of 21 rooms which comprise of several amenities like cable television, separate sitting area, air-conditioner and an attached bathroom with supply of hot and cold water.  One can easily reach from the Kozhikode railway station as it is at a distance of 1 KM from the hotel. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 002
  • Hotel Nalanda: Hotel Nalanda consists of 10 rooms spread over 3 floors. In-room amenities include a television, welcome amenities, makeup mirror, bottled/drinking water, attached bathroom with a hot and cold running water supply and a wardrobe. This hotel in Kozhikode is 3 km from Kozhikode Bus Stand and 30 km from Calicut International Airport. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 001
  • Apex Inn: Apex Inn provides 24-hour front desk assistance to its guests. This property in Calicut provides services like laundry, medical assistance and room service to its guests. Apex Inn has a power backup generator in case of emergency. One can easily reach here from the Calicut International Airport. Contact: Calicut, Kerala – 673 032
  • Park Residency: Park Residency is the most happening place in town with a host of modern features like a multi-cuisine restaurant and a conference hall.  There is 24/7 assistance that is provided and each room of this hotel is well equipped. Contact: Ramanattukara, Calicut, Kerala – 673 633
  • The Gateway Hotel Beach Road: The Gateway Hotel Beach Road (A Taj Hotel) offers royal comforts & peace to business & leisure travellers. This hotel accommodates its guests in stylishly furnished rooms. Guests can enjoy modern facilities like fully equipped health club, rejuvenating swimming-pool, gift shop, high-speed internet access, rental cell phones, currency exchange, multi-cuisine restaurant & many such hi-end comforts are been set. Contact: P T Usha Road, Calicut, Kerala – 673 002

Where to eat

There are several food joints and restaurants nearby that serve delicious food. It is a blend of ingredients with culinary art. Here are some of the best places that serve the most luscious food in a comforting atmosphere to the tourists.

Nearby Temples

Sree Valayanad Devi Temple: The Valayanad Devi temple was built in the 14th century by the Zamorins. The temple, which faces north, has four gopurams(towers).  The Devi temple at Valayanad has its own distinct identity and is different in several respects from other Devi temples in India. The poojas in this temple are performed in accordance with the practice of Guruji worship.  Goddess from Kashmir known as Chandika is known as the presiding deity of this temple. The Goddess is also called Mahartham and Kalasarppini. The annual festival commences every year on the day of Karthika of Makaram and continues for seven days.  There are five Moosad families residing around the Shri Valayanad Kavu.

Azhakodi Devi Temple: The samoothiri entrusted six of his generals to the temple Arikkodikkavu which is presently renowned as Azhakodi Devi mahashekthram. An idol of ‘Bhavani Devi’ was given by the samoothiri which was gifted to him by the traders of Gujarat. The generals were instructed to place the idol adjacent to the ‘Bhagavathi Idol’ in the ‘Arikkodikkavu’ sreekovil and worship the same.

Tali Mahakshetram: The Tali Siva temple was one of the two Brahmanical royal temples patronized by the Zamorin. And to this day remains one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres in Kozhikode. The temple’s date of origin is uncertain but was most likely built during the foundation of the city itself in the 12th century or before. The temple is surrounded by gigantic walls of ‘elephant belly’ (aana palla) type with a broad base and narrower neck at the top. One of the two tanks attached to the temple can be seen to the right.

Thalikkunu Shiva Temple: Thalikkunu Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in Mankave, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. The most important is the Maha Shivaratri which is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha. As said Lord Shiva is the main Deity. Lord Ganapati and Ayyappa is worshipped inside the Ullambalam and Nagaraja are worshiped outside beside a big Banyan Tree.

Sree Kanteswara Temple: It is installed by the great spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Kanteshwara Temple is located in the southwest corner of the Kozhikode stadium at a distance of 1.5 km from the railway station. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple also known as Puthiyambalam has a Shiva Lingam in the Dhakshinamoorthi Sankalpa as the main deity. Besides these, many other offerings and rituals like Shodashabhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja etc. Lord Subramanian, Sree Ganapathi, Sree Dharma Shastha, Maha Vishnu, Bhagavathi and Navagraha are the upadevathas (other deities) here. It is believed that centuries earlier a temple named Nalliswara Kshetram

Tali Shiva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Tali Shiva Temple is the oldest temple in Kozhikode, Kerala. The temple is in the middle of Kozhikode town and was built during the 14th century. The temple worships Lord Shiva. The deity here is a blended form of Goddess Uma and Lord Shiva. It is known as Uma Maheshwara.

History and Legend of Tali Shiva Temple

  • This 400 years old temple paints the picture of religious India.
  • The shrine was constructed at the end of Dwaparayuga. Saint Parasurama built this temple. Saint Parasurama is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
  • As per another myth, the Tali Temple was a small temple in a village. 50 Namboothiri families looked after the temple.
  • The temple gained importance 1500 years ago. It was under the Zamorins. The Zamorins executed the Namboothiri families and took over the temple. They were also called Sailabdheswara. Sailabdheswara means the lord of the mountain and the sea. Swamy Thirumulpad made the temple within his palace complex. After some time, another Zamorin, Manavikraman gave the temple its present shape. The temple is still looked after by them.
  • The temple was almost damaged when Tipu Sultan invaded Kozhikode in the 18th century. Again the shrine was renovated in 1964.
  • Revathi Pattathanam function started at this temple. Eminent people and philosophers came to this function. Bharatha Meemamsa, Prabhakara Meemamsa, Vedanta Meemamsa and Vyakarana were discussed at the functions. During the 15th and 16th centuries, eighteen poets came to this function. This function also takes place at present.
  • Moreover, the temple is a God gift to locals. They believe that the temple has brought richness to Kozhikode.
  • Some historians believe the temple was made even before the city was built.

Significance of Tali Shiva Temple

  • The Tali Shiva Temple is historically important. It is a treasure house with numerous deities and beautiful built.
  • This is a two storied sanctum. It is in the chariot form and is decorated with mural paintings.
  • The temple is protected by large walls on all sides, which are in the form of an elephant belly.
  • Also, there are fine granite sculptures within the temple complex. These sculptures show Lord Shiva. Also, birds and animal sculptures are present. These portray different stories from the Puranas.
  • Moreover, there is a Jyotirlingam in the sanctum. 5 of the 12 Jyotirlingas are located in and around Pune in Maharashtra. Umamaheshwara, Tali Ganapathy, Thevarathil Ganapathy and Thrumandhakunnu Bhagavathy are also there within the inner walls. The outer walls have deities of Lord Ayyappa, Thevarathil Bhagavathy and Lord Naga.
  • There is a separate Lord Vishnu temple within the complex. The temple also has its own Dwajastambam.
  • The idol of Sreevalayanad Bhagavati is also present in the Lord Vishnu temple.
  • There is another small temple. The presiding deity is Narasimha Moorthy. This temple is at the southern part of the Vishnu Temple.
  • The northern part has the Eranjipuram. It is also beautiful with lights from all sides.
  • The main temple has four main parts. The Dwajastambam refers to the flag poles. People also believe these are connections of heaven to earth. The Anakottil is the flag staff platform. It was built for the elephants. The gopurams are large. These gateways are another treat to eyes with intricate carvings, while the Deepasthambhum is the beautiful lighting pillars.
  • The various temples within the complex are Sivakshetram, Nalambalam and Krishnakshetram.

Tali Shiva Temple Timings and Poojas

Like any traditional Hindu temple, the Tali Temple opens during the early morning. It opens at 4.30 am and is open till 11.00 am. The temple again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm. Furthermore, there are five different religious programs that take place every day at this temple.

  • Nadathurakkal Abishekam is the first puja. It starts at 4.30 am. This puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • Dhara Usha pooja takes place at Sivakshetram. This worship is at 5.30 am.
  • Ganapathihomam puja is at 6.00 am. It takes place at the Nalambalam temple.
  • Ravilathe worship is at 6.30 am. The puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • At 7.00 am and 7.15 am, Seeveli Pooja takes place both at Sivakshetram and Krishnakshetram.
  • Navagraha Pooja along with Mrithyunjaya Homam takes place at 7.30 am. It is at Sivakshetram temple.
  • Pantheeradi Puja is at 8.00 am and 9.00 am. This is first at Krishnakshetram shrine and then at Sivakshetram. Lakshminarayana Pooja also takes place at Krishnakshetram but at 8.30 am.
  • Ucha Pooja takes place at 9.45 am and then at 10.00 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Seeveli worship takes place at 10.30 am and then at 10.45 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Nadayadaykkal worship is at 11.00 am. It takes place at Nalambalam.
  • Nadathurakkal occurs at 5.00 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Dheep Aaradhana is at 6.30 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram. This is a sacred moment as the priests worship with traditional towered oiled lamps and to the beats of drums.
  • Umamaheshwara Puja and Bhaghavathi Seva take place at 7.00 pm. It is both at Sivakshetram and Nalambalam.
  • Athaazha puja is at 7.30 pm. It is first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • 8.00 pm is the time for Seeveli at Sivakshetram.
  • The day ends with Trippuka, Nadayadaykkal at 8.30 pm. It takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Vazhipadu is a special puja. It takes place on special requests of the devotees. People interested in performing this puja need to book 3 days before the date. Also, worshipers can book for Vazhipadu online.
  • Appam, Vilakku, Maala, Nei Vilakku, Pin Vilakku, Ganapathi Homam, Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Dhara, Karuka Homam, Koovala mala, Uma Maheswara pooja and Ada are some of the special worships.

Food Timings

Appam is a tasty snack available at the temple after worship. This is popular as Prasadam.

Tali Shiva Temple Dress Code

Devotees need to come in traditional wear. People with jeans and western dress cannot enter the temple. You can hire a traditional dress (Mundu) from the temple counter. Also, men cannot come within the temple with shirts. They can drape a Veshti instead of a shirt.

Festivals celebrated at Tali Shiva Temple

Locals call festivals as Utsavam at the Tali Temple.

  • Revathi Pattathanam: This festival still takes place at the temple. This cultural program is a seven days function. It is during October or November. As per myth, the Zamorins started the festival as a penance of killing the Namboothiris. Performing scholars also get rewards.
  • The largest festival is during the Malayalam New Year. The festival is for seven days. People worship Lord Shiva during this time.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

As the temple is at the centre of the town, it is easily accessible from all parts of Kerala. Kozhikode is 184 kms from Kochi, 191 kms from Coimbatore, 232 kms from Mangalore, 359 kms from Bangalore and 378 kms from Trivandrum.

By Air: Kozhikode is just 23 km from the Calicut International Airport. This airport is connected to the various Indian metropolitan cities and gulf countries. There are private cabs available from the airport area which can take you directly to the temple.

By Rail: Kozhikode has own railway station. Therefore, there are regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore to the place. Mngla Lksdp Exp, Kerala S Kranti, Ypr Cannanore Exp, Mangalore Exp Ypr Cannanore Exp are some of the express trains travelling on a daily basis to Kozhikode.

By Road: There are several tourist buses that travel from Karnataka and Kerala to the Tali Temple. Besides these private air conditioned buses, you can also avail buses from KSRTC. The buses connect important cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore and Trivandrum to Kozhikode. Both luxury and semi-deluxe buses are available. If you are travelling via road on your own private car or bike, you can opt for the routes like Lakkidito, Nilamburto, Thalasseryto, Pattambito, Tholpettyto, Bandipur National Park to Kozhikode.

Where to stay

The Tali Temple has great importance in the religious life of the people in and around Kerala. Hence there are several hotels near the shrine for people from all classes. The Gateway Hotel Beach Road, Khaleej Residency, Chamundeshwari Tourist Home and Malabar Palace are some of the hotels just at 0.4 kms from the Tali Temple.

Where to eat

There are multiple food courts near the shrine. The Arya Bhawan and Aryabhavan Restaurant are just 0.3 km from the temple. Both these eat outs serve vegetarian food. Hotel Rahamth, KTDC and Hotel Komala Bhavan are just 0.2 km from the temple and serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. You can also buy banana chips and Shastha chips near the temple.

Nearby Temples

Kozhikode is a pilgrimage and has many temples around.

  • The Balasubramania Temple: Just beside the Tali temple, there is an old temple. The presiding deities here are Balasubramania and Lord Ganesha.
  • Varakkal Devi Temple, Kozhikode: Lord Parasurama built this as the last Devi temple. This is the 108th temple built by the saint. As per myths, Parasurama ploughed the area and Goddess Varakkal appeared. The temple is at the shores of the Arabian Sea. Vavu Bali is the largest festival here. Devotees perform funeral rites during the festival. The temple is open from 5.00 am to 12.00 pm and again from 5.30 pm t0 8.00 pm.
  • Valayanad Devi temple: This temple is at Govindapuram. The place is at 6 km from Kozhikode. As per myths, the Zamorins built this temple. They were not able to get control over Govindapuram and were able to do so only after worshipping the Goddess. Lord Shiva, Ayyappa and Vigneswara are the other deities here. Priests follow the Saktheya tradition here. There is also a ‘Sreechakra’. Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar made the ‘Sreechakra.’ Makaram is the annual festival here. This takes place for 8 days. Guruthy Tharpanam is also practised here.
  • Pattalapalli: It means the Soldier’s Mosque. This is a four storied building. It has a domed roof and a round hall. There is a library and a well.
  • Mother of God Cathedral: This church is at the Beach Road of Kozhikode. It has a Gothic built. Italian architects built the temple. There are spiral colonnades and the curved arches on the doors and the windows at the church. There is also a 200 years old picture of St. Mary here.

The best part of travelling to the Tali Shiva Temple in Kozhikode is that you can visit the place any time of the year. The natural beauty of the place changes with every season. Visit the Tali temple to increase the joy of life.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, Dress Code, and History

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Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most prominent temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The temple is one of the only few temples dedicated to the Lord in which he is worshiped in the “Ananta Shayanam” position. The temple has been declared as the richest Hindu Temple in the world and as the wealthiest religious institution in the World.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Facts

DeityLord Padmanabhaswamy (Lord Vishnu)
LocationTrivandrum, Kerala
ToursKerala Temple Tour
EntryFree
Darshan Timings3:00 AM to 7:20 PM
PoojasUsha Pooja, Ucha Pooja
Best Time to VisitOctober to March
FestivalsVishu, Ram Navami, Siveli
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Video

What are the timings of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple opens at 3:30 AM and closes at 7:20 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas.

The timings are as follows:

RitualFromTo
Deepardhanai3:30 AM4:45 AM
Early Morning Darshan6:30 AM7:30 AM
Morning Darshan8:30 AM10:00 AM
Darshan10:30 AM11:10 AM
Afternoon Aarti11:45 AM12:00 PM
Evening Darshan5:00 PM6:15 PM
Evening Aarti6:45 PM7:20 PM

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is closed for darshan between 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Padmanabhaswamy-Temple-Timings

What are the poojas and sevas at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Deepardhanai: This is the first ritual of the day and is performed early in the morning at 3:30 AM. The lamps are lit and amidst the chantings of holy mantras and shlokas, God is awakened from his sleep.
  • Usha Pooja: This pooja is performed after the first Deepardhanai. The God is bathed with holy water and then decorated with flowers, Basil, and Sandalwood Paste.
  • Pantheeradi Pooja: This pooja is performed at 6:00 AM.
  • Ucha Pooja: This ritual is performed at mid-day. After the ritual, Naivedyam is offered to the Lord and then the sanctum doors are closed for darshan.

Besides these main poojas, several archanas can be performed dedicated to the Lord on behalf of the devotee. Some of the common Archanas are Ashtotthara Archana, Sahasranama Archana, Bhoosooktha Archana, Sreesooktha Archana, Bhagyasooktha Archana, Swayamvara Archana, and the Lakshmi Narayana Mantra Archana.

What is the significance of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Padmanabhaswamy-Vishnu

The significance of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes of Lord Vishnu) glorified in the famous Tamil literary work Divya Prabandha by the Tamil Alvar Saints between the periods of 6th to the 9th century. In the 8th century, Alvar named Nammalvar sang praises of Sri Padmanabha.

The main idol of the presiding deity is awe-inspiring and unique in itself. The idol is made of 12,008 Shaligramam stones (the aniconic form of Lord Vishnu, taken from the banks of the Gandaki River that flows through India and Nepal). The Lord reclines on Adi Shesha Naga with his right hand atop the Linga of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma can be seen appearing out of the navel of Lord Vishnu on a Lotus. The two consorts of Lord Vishnu can be seen accompanying him on his sides. To a devotee, the idol is visible through three doors, the first one showing Lord Vishnu with hands-on Lord Shiva, Goddess Sridevi and Lord Brahma are visible through the second door and Goddess Bhudevi and Kaudinya Muni through the third door.

The Katusarkara Yogam, which is a special Ayurvedic mixture of Herbs is plastered over the whole idol of Lord Padmanabha. The paste keeps the idol of the deity clean.

It is believed that the Thiruvambadi shrine dedicated to Sri Krishna Swamy situated inside the main Temple complex predates the main shrine. The shrine is built on the site where Sage Vilvamangalathu is believed to have been buried.

It is been established that six sealed vaults are present beneath the temple premises. The contents of these vaults are considered highly valuable and a secret. Among them is the valued Vault B. It remained closed to the public for centuries. However, on an order of the Supreme Court of India, the vault was opened and treasures were discovered whose value is estimated to be about 1 Trillion US Dollars. A small antechamber within the vault still remains closed to the public as the doors are extremely hard to open and are carved with figures of snakes. It is believed that opening the vault will displease the Lord and create havoc in the region.

What is the history of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

According to history, the exact date or year of construction for the temple is unknown. However, the temple, as well as the city, has been mentioned as the Golden Temple in the Sangam literature (Tamil literature) as early as 500 BC and 300 AD. Many scholars believe that the whole city surrounding the temple was extremely rich and was covered in gold.

It is believed by scholars that the temple was a site of worship since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Several records written on Palm Leaf have been handed down through several

As per the legend, Sage Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar performed Tapasya or Penance for obtaining a Darshan of Lord Vishnu. The Lord is believed to have presented himself to him as a small mischievous orphan boy. The Sage allowed him to stay with him on the condition that he will not disturb him during his prayers. After some days, the boy disrupted his Pooja by defining the image of the Lord. The Sage became angry and chased the boy away. Just before leaving, the boy told the sage that is he wants to find him, he must visit Ananthankadu.

The Sage realized that the boy was the Lord himself. He turned repentant and searched Ananthankadu. He eventually found the boy merging into the “Illuppa Tree” (Indian Butter Tree). The tree fell down and transformed into a huge figure of Lord Vishnu in the Anantha Shayanam form. The figure was so huge that the head lay in Thiruvallam (5 km from the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Shrine) and the feet lay at Trippapur (8 km on the other side).

Overwhelmed by the occurrence, the Sage requested the Lord to condense his form so that he could witness his entire form. As per his wish, Lord Vishnu shrank his form. The Sage immediately offered a dry mango in a Coconut shell (the same is offered to the deity till date). The spot where the Sage was given a darshan belonged to Koopakkara and Karuva Potti. A small shrine was built at the site with the help of local Brahmins.

What is the architecture of Padmanabhaswamy Temple like?

Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s architecture is a mix of the Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple architecturally resembles the Adikesava Perumal Temple located in Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu. The Gopuram is dated to the 16th century. The idol of the deity in the main sanctum is mesmerizing and a treat to any devout Hindu. The Lord can be seen reclining on the Shesha Naga with his hand placed on the Shiva Lingam.

Several features of the architecture of the temple are worth noticing. The temple has nine entrances representing the nine orifices of the human body. The Ottakal Mandapam is carved out of single granite stone. The pillars at the corners of the Kulashekara Mandapam produce musical notes when they are struck.

The Moolasthanam or the Garbhagriha of the Temple is located at the Ananthapuram Temple in Kasargod, Kerala. The antiquity and the historical significance of the Temple can be adjudged by the fact that shrine is mentioned in several Puranas like the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Padma Purana, Matsya Purana, and the Varaha Purana.

The Sabha Mandap is called the Ottakal Mandapam as it is carved out of a single rock. Besides the main shrine, the temple also constitutes the shrines of Sri Ugra Narasimha (Thekkadom) and Sri Krishna Swami (Lord of Thiruvambadi or Parthasarathy). Apart from these two subsidiary shrines, small shrines dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman, Lord Ganesha, Lord Sastha, Garuda, Hanuman, and Balarama.

What is the dress code at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

The temple follows a strict dress code for both men and women. Men must wear Dhoti with or without an Angavastram. Women must wear a Saree or a half saree only. Dhotis are available for hire outside the temple premises. Photography is banned inside the temple premises.

The entry to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is restricted to Hindus only.

What are the festivals celebrated at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Alpasi and Meenam Utsavam: The temple celebrated two festivals in a year – the Alpasi and the Meenam occurring in October – November, and March – April respectively. Each festival is celebrated for 10 days. The event starts with the flag hoisting ceremony which is meant to be an invitation to all Gods and Goddesses to attend the rituals. Special processions are conducted around the temple premises twice every day. Six different Vahanas are used to carry the Utsava Moorthy of Lord Padmanabhaswamy around the temple. These Vahanas are called the Simhasana, Anantha, Kamala, Pallaku, Garuda, and Indra. On the ninth day, the ritual of Pallivetta is conducted which symbolizes a royal hunt during which the Lord comes down and annihilates all the ills of the society.
  • Swargavathil or Vaikunta Ekadasi: The highly auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu falls on the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Dhanur (December – January). It is ardently believed that Lord Vishnu opens the gates of Vaikuntam on this day. Devotees observe rigorous fast on this day and dedicate the day to worshipping Lord Vishnu. It is believed that one can liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death.
  • Vishu: The day marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. The festival is celebrated with great fanfare with fireworks and Vishukanni playing a major role in the festivities. On this day, the Vishukanni (ritual arrangement of auspicious articles such as rice, fruits, and vegetables around the deity) is arranged inside the inner sanctum.
  • Lakshadeepam: The unique festival is celebrated once in 6 years. The recitation of the holy Vedas is done for 56 days prior to the day of Lakshadeepam. On this auspicious day, one lakh lamps are lit and decorated around the temple premises giving it a grand appearance.
  • Onam: The grand festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of King Mahabali. It is also believed that the day signifies the birth of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. The festival is celebrated for ten days in the month of Chingam (first month of the Malayalam calendar). The Onavillu Charthal is the highlight of the Onam celebrations. Onavillu is a ceremonial bow-shaped wooden piece that is carved out of trees like Kadambu, Jackfruit or Maruthu. They are decorated with miniature paintings of the Anantha Shayanam posture of Lord Vishnu.

Some of the other important festivals celebrated at the temple premises are Ashtami Rohini (Krishna Janmashtami), Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, Mahashivarati, and Ram Navami.

How to reach Thiruvananthapuram?

  • By Air: The city of Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is well connected to cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Cochin. The International Airport connects the city to the Gulf countries as well as Colombo and Male.
  • By Train: Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ernakulum, Jammu, Guwahati, and Coimbatore.
  • By Road: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates regular buses to Thiruvananthapuram out of several neighbouring cities and towns within Kerala as well as from other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Where to stay near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

A large number of hotels and lodges are dispersed throughout the city. They offer quality and clean accommodation to the visitors. Some of the five-star options are Vivant any Taj and Hilton Garden Inn. Medium range and budget hotels are available easily. However, advance booking is preferred, especially during the peak season.

Where to eat near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Thiruvananthapuram is a bustling city that offers a wide variety of culinary delights to visitors. The city is famous for fresh and delicious seafood. Some of the most popular food joints that one must visit are Hotel Rahmaniya (home of the patented Kethel Chicken Fry), Zam Zam, Sree Guruvayurappan Hotel, and Ayswariya Hotel. The local Kerala Cuisine is simple and delicious. One must try Appam, Puttu, Curry Meen, Fish Moile and Kappa Biryani when visiting the city.

What are some temples near Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Attukal Temple: The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is located just 2 km from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kannagi who is believed to be a form of Goddess Parvati. The famous Attukal Pongal festival is celebrated every year at the Temple in the month of February – March. The festival holds the Guinness World Record for the feat of Single largest gathering of women for a religious activity.
  • Andoor Kandan Sree Dharma Sastha Temple: The temple is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Dharmasastha or more popularly known as Lord Ayyappa. The deity faces the west. The deity is presented in a posture named Chinmudra or Nyaana Mudra which symbolizes the union of Aatma and Paramaatma.
  • Amunthirathu Devi Temple: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Amunthirathamma, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Bhadrakali. The unique feature of the idol is that it is made of Krishna Shila and represents an Ardha Padmasana posture. The idol length is 48 Angula ( an ancient form of measurement, 1 Angula = 1.76 cm). The 4 represents the four holy Vedas. The digit 8 represents prosperity called Ashtaishwaryam. These are Dhanya, Dhana, Adhi, Veera, Vijaya, Sandhana, Gaja and Bhagya.
  • Janardanaswamy Temple: The 2000-year-old temple is located at Varkala, 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The Temple legends state that this is the place where Lord Vishnu displayed the form of “Vishwaroopam” to Lord Brahma, who was conducting a Yagna at the site. This is also believed to be the place where the nine Prajapathis of Lord Brahma conducted a Yagna to seek forgiveness from Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu after they laughed and ridiculed them.

If you have any questions about The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple is located in Kollam district of Kerala. Kottarakkara Ganapathy is often referred to as ‘Vigneshwaran’ which means the one who removes all obstacles. The outlook of  Sri Ganesha is described as yellow-skinned, short with a big round belly, elephant-headed with one trunk, four arms, large ears and bright shining eyes. Apart from the presiding deity, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Ayyappa, and Lord Nagaraja are also worshipped here.

Kottaram means Palace and Kara means Land. The last queen of the Elayidathu Swaroopam voluntarily surrendered to king Marthanda Varma of Travancore in the 18th century. Kottarakara is the place where the classical art form of Kathakali was conceived. It is a famous pilgrim centre for the Hindus as the seat of the famous Ganapathy Temple.

History and Legend of Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

  • The place that we now call Mahaganapathy temple is actually Kizhakkekara Shiva temple.  The main deity is none other than Lord Shiva himself. Shiva is facing eastward. In fact, Ganesha is only a minor deity here. But Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple today is famous as a Ganesha temple rather than a Shiva temple.
  • This legend is associated with Perumthachan. The royal sculptors Perumthachan (Master Carpenter) had a son. He mastered and excelled in carpentry and architecture like his father.
  • His son soon excelled his own perfection. The fame of Perumthachan soon spread far and wide. This is said to have caused a sort of professional jealousy in Perumthachan. According to the Aithihyamala, Perumthachan dropped his chisel on his own son faking it as an accident.
  • After the death of his son, Perumthachan started wandering. One day he reached Kottarakkara. The Padinjattinkara temple was under renovation at that time. He saw a big piece of jack tree root inside the Sarppakkavu.
  • It is believed that he sculptured a beautiful Ganapathy idol from the root of the jack tree. Perumthachan had sought the permission of the tantri (chief priest) of Padinajattinkara temple to install the idol there. The tantri denied permission because there is already one Ganapathy idol.
  • Perumthachan changed his plans and later, having secured the permission of the tantri of Manikandeswaram Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple installed the idol there. The melsanthi (head priest) was preparing nivedyam (offerings for the Lord) there.
  • He had asked the head priest what the nivedyam for Ganapathy will be. The priest suggested unniyappam and Perumthachan readily agreed. It is said that Perumthachan immediately offered half a dozen unniyappams in a plantain leaf before the deity. And still, koottappam is considered the favourite nivedyam of Ganapathy.
  • Perumthachan had then predicted that even though the principal deity is the father (Shiva), the son (Ganapathy) will become more famous. The kitchen where Unniappams are prepared is situated in front of the Ganapathy shrine.
  • Another story associated with this temple is that Kottarakkara Thampuran’s daughter was getting married.  He requested Zamorin of Kozhikode to send a dance troupe from Malabar to perform in his daughter’s wedding.  But the Zamorin sarcastically denied sending the troupe saying that people of South Kerala cannot appreciate fine art like Krishnanattam.  This insulted the Kottarakkara Thampuran and he prayed to  Lord Ganapathy at Kizhakkekara for a way out.
  • Sri Mahaganapathy appeared in the dream of the Thampuran and gave him the idea to create a new art form.  It was Saraswathi Kadaksham and the Thampuran wrote the Ramanattam. He designed the costumes and in record time performed the Arangetram during the marriage of his daughter.  This was a fitting reply to the arrogance of the Zamorin of Kozhikode.

Significance of Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

  • Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is beautiful and magnificent. A number of rituals is being done here by the priests. Different schedules are followed to worship and to perform the rituals devoted to the presiding deity of the temple.
  • Kottarakkara was the capital of the famous ‘Ilayidathu swaroopam’. As the name explains, there existed about seven palaces and the place was called ‘The land of palaces’ – “Kottarakkara”. ‘Kottarakkara Kovilakam’ was the younger ‘thavazhy’ of the ‘Venad’ dynasty.
  • So this was known as the Ilayidathu (younger) swaroopam, and also as Kunninmel. The land spreads from Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram and Nedumangad to Shencottah in the east.

Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple Timings and Poojas

  • Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple remains open from 4:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. Palliyunathal is performed followed by Nadathurakkal at 4:30 AM. It is the opening of the sanctum sanctorum to enable the devotees to venerate the holy portrait of the deity.
  • Then there is Nirmalyam at 4:40 AM which is intended for seeking the permission of Dwasthhas and the deity for entering the sanctum. Then the doors are opened and the lights are lit.  Divine worship of the idol at this stage is known as Nirmalya Darshana.
  • There are different important rituals that are performed in the morning. It includes Abhishekam that is conducted at 4:50 AM which is followed by Ashtadravya Ganapathyhoman. Abhishekam is conducted by priests, by pouring libations on the deity being worshipped, amidst the chanting of mantras.
  • The first worship of the day is Usha pooja or pooja at dawn. Though generally, the time of Usha pooja is thirty minutes after the sunrise, there are variations in the timings on various temples. It is performed at 6:00 AM. Ethrtiheu pooja is conducted at the moment when the rays of the sun are in front of the deity or garbha dwara and it is conducted at 7:00 AM.
  • Pantheeradi pooja is elaborate in nature and done only in major temples. This is done 2 hours after sunrise and it is performed at 9:00 AM. Navaka Pooja is done only in major temples especially in Siva temples. Here it is performed at 10:00 AM.
  • After the Ucha Pooja that is performed at 10:30 AM the temple closes in the morning at around 11:30 AM.
  • Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple opens again at 5:00 PM and there is an evening pooja that is Deeparadhana that is performed by the priest at 6:30 PM. Deeparadhana is the worship with lamps, performed at dawn and dusk. Pyramidal lamps with seven tiers, lamps with five wicks and plain lamps with a single wick are lightened and waved several times in front of the Lord, from head to foot. Similar waving is then done with lighted camphor. It is considered to be an auspicious act to pray during deeparadhana time. Athazha pooja vis the last pooja conducted in a temple on a day.  This is done between one and two hours after sunset. It is performed at 7:45 PM and the temple finally closes at 8:00 PM.

Dhara, Chathussatham for Mahadev, Archana for Goddess Parvathy, Lemon garland for Subramanya, Unniyappam for Ganapathy and 41 days Mandalam Chirappu is also very important. Unni Appam is the offering that is specially prepared to offer to the deity of Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple.

Festivals celebrated at Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple

  • Vinayaka Chaturthi: Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi of the Hindu month of Bhadra (generally falls between August and September). This particular day is marked with great Mahaganapathy Homam, using 1008 coconuts. Mahaganapathi is believed to remove obstacles not only in the material world but also in one’s spiritual progress. The Mahaganapathi Homam is performed by people desiring progress in various material pursuits as well as those seeking liberation and spiritual awakening.
  • Navaratri: Navratri is traditionally celebrated at the beginning of autumn every year when everything in nature starts undergoing a transformation. These nine nights are said to be precious as there are subtle energies in the creation that are enriched at this time of the year. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as a powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. Thousands throng to the temple to perform the Vidyarambham.
  • Vishu: Vishu is the first day of the Hindu calendar and is the beginning of Meda Rashi, the first zodiac sign. It usually falls in the second week of April according to the English calendar. It marks the beginning of new hopes and aspirations and is celebrated widely all across the state. People start with early morning prayers at dawn on this auspicious day by visiting the temple.
  • Sivarathri: Sivaratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is celebrated on the moonless night of the month of Phalguna.  the night time is considered sacred and suitable for the worship of the feminine aspect of’ the deity and the day time for that of’ the masculine. The people who observe this Sivaratri- Vratha take only a single meal during the day previous to the Vratha day. The observance of the Vratha is believed to secure for the devotee immunity from the effects of sin.

How to reach Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple?

By Road: Buses and Taxis can be boarded from Kottarakkara, Kollam, Trivandrum and Kottayam that takes the passengers directly to the Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple.

By Rail: The Nearest Railway station is Kottarakkara station. Board a train passing through Kottarakkara, Kollam and Trivandrum railway stations to reach the temple. Kollam station is at a distance of  28 Km and Trivandrum at a distance of 70 Km.

By Air: The Nearest Airport is Trivandrum Airport that is 70 Km from the temple. Kochi Airport is at a distance of 191 Km.

Where to stay near Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple?

There are many hotels as well as guest rooms near the hotel. The rooms are well equipped with all the basic amenities.

  • Ambalakkara Regency Hotel Contact: Pulamon Junction, Kottarakkara
  • Harisree Residency Contact: Kottiyam Kundara Road, Perumpuzha, Kottamkara
  • Hotel Indraprastha Pattazhy Contact: Market Junction, Pattazhy P.O., Kollam
  • Hotel Midhuna International Contact: Enathu, Kottarakara – Adoor Road
  • Park Residency Contact: Paracode, Kayamkulam Pathanapuram Highway
  • Hotel Vrindhavanam Inn Contact: Near KSRTC Bus Station, Punalur

Where to eat

Kottarakkara Unniyappam (small appam) is as famous as Ambalapuzha Palpayasam. If you start eating one, you feel like having more. Cooked in special taste the unniyappam comes with sprinkled sugar on it. The grace of Lord Ganapathi makes unniyappam as double sweet to the believers. It is said that unniyappam was the first offering given to the Ganapati temple which was installed by Peruthachan. Besides, there are many restaurants nearby that offer amazing food of Kerala cuisine.

Nearby Temples

Mannady Temple: Mannadi is a small village situated in Kollam (district of Kerala). It is believed that the Kali Ma of this temple is very powerful and if worshipped with devotion all the wishes will come true. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functions here. Madanthampuran and Yakshiamma were positioned as Safe Guard to Devi. The ancestors who had brought Devi to the temple were worshipped in the Nomenclatures of Manthramoorthy and Yogeeshwaran after their Death. Poojas were not been performed systematically. Hence, the youth adopted the management of the temple from the Pallithanam Family. They appointed a Priest and thus Poojas performed regularly.  

Pattazhy Devi Temple: Pattazhi is a small village in the eastern part of Kollam District in Kerala. It is located just 10 kilometres away from Kottarackara and just 9 kilometres from Pathanapuram. The temple is an ancient temple and the legend. The land of Pattazhy consists of two panchayat areas and was given as a gift to Goddess Pattazhy Devi by the King of Travancore. Pattazhy has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for growing the longest bamboo. The temple has been taken care of by nine families once. Then a man called “kambithan” came there. He was very powerful and had many divine powers too. He took care of the administration of the temple. There is a Shiva Temple which seems to be older than this Devi temple which is located near to this temple.

Pallickal Devi Temple: Pallickal Devi Temple is one of the famous temples in Kollam District. This is one of the sub-temples of Mannadi temple. Pallikkal Maha Devi temple has a rich history of more than a thousand years. Pallikkalamma is a mother goddess with sathvika bhavam. There are a number of incidents to illustrate her kindness.

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple or ThriKaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is at Kaviyoor, in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is also one of the main deities here. Furthermore, the temple falls under the Thiruvalla Group of Temples. As River Manimala flows by, the environment is serene.

Due to its immense historical value, the temple is a heritage monument. The Archaeological Department of India protects the shrine. Locals believe that the shrine is a thousand years old. December or January is the best time to visit the temple as many festivals take place during this time.

What is the history of Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

According to history, Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple was built in the 8th century. The Kaviyoor Sasanaas refer to the temple. This Sasanaas is oldest among the sasanaas. There are two inscriptions at the basement which state that the temple was built in the 950 and 951 AD.

As per myth, the Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple dates back to the Mahabharata times. When Mother Kunti along with her sons, the Pandava brothers were looking for a shelter during their exile, they built a rock shelter. They also built a Lord Shiva temple and this temple is the Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple.

What is the significance of the Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

Here’s the significance of Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple:

  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple shows the Pallava architectural style. It is a triangle in shape.
  • The sculptures are the earliest stone architecture we see in Kerala. These also depict stories from the great Indian epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. These sculptures were made in the 17th century.
  • Lord Shiva is enshrined in a squared cave. There is a Shiva Lingum inside the cave. The lingum is 3 feet high. It is carved out of a rock.
  • The shrine also worships Lord Ganapati, Lord Hanuman, Sreemoola Rajeswari and Maharshi. Sreemoola Rajeswari is Goddess Parvati. There is also another deity in the temple. It is Dakshinamoorthy. This is an idol of Lord Shiva along with Lord Ganapati. There is also a shrine for Lord Krishna.
  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple also has sculptures of Dwarpalakas. They are the temple guards.
  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is famous for its wood sculptures. This is Daarusilpas as per local language. These carvings were made in the 17th century. Tourists can see these sculptures at the outer wall of Sreekovil, on the inner roof of Balickalpura and Namaskara Mandapam. These sculptures depict Kerala architecture.
  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple also has a round Sreekovil. It shows the Sandhara construction style.
  • The roof of the sanctum is copper. There is a golden flag and 18 entry steps to the shrine.
  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple also has expensive ornaments which depict intricate designs. The main Sreekovil is covered with 44 rafter shoes. These also feature beautiful designs. The ornaments mainly include golden pots, ezhunnallippu chatams, golden reliefs of deities, golden umbrellas and golden chains.

What are the timings of Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

Here are the timings of Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple:

TimingsFromTo
 Open (Morning)3:30 am11:30 am
Open (Evening) 5:00 pm8:00 pm

What is the Dress Code at Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple has a strict dress code. Men need to be in traditional attire. Also, men need to open shirts before entering the temple premises. Women also need to be in traditional dress at the temple.

What are the festivals celebrated at Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

The Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple celebrates many festivals such as:

  • Thiruvutsavam: The festival takes place in December or January. It is the Danu month as per Malayalam calendar. The celebration starts with a unique ritual. People call this Thiruvaathira. Utsavabali, Seva, Pallivetta are the other parts of the festival. The festival goes on for 10 days. A fair goes on during this time. People decorate the temple with colourful lights, candles and flowers.
  • Shivaratri: This festival takes place every year, either in February or in March. Vilakkezhunnellippu is a unique custom of the festival. In this custom, 8000 oil lamps are lit. Devotees from 8 desam lit the lamps. This is a single day festival. Devotees fast for the day and worship Lord Shiva at four phases.
  • Sahasra Kalasam: This festival goes on for 10 days. In this festival, Abhishekam is the main custom. Devotees do Abhishekam with 100 pots. Moreover, 1 is a gold pot, 10 silver pots and the rest are copper pots.

What are the Poojas and Rituals at Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple?

The poojas and rituals of Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple are:

  • Dhara, Muzhukkappu and Chatussatham are the main offerings made to Lord Shiva.
  • Also, daily different offerings are made to Lord Shiva. Devotees can offer Aval Nadyam and Vada Mala to Lord Shiva.
  • The temple is also famous for its Mangalaya puja.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

Here’s how too reach Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport while the Cochin International Airport is 160 km from the place.
  • Rail: The Thiruvalla railway station is 5 km from Kaviyoor while Chengannur railway station is 82 km.
  • Road: There are direct buses from Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta, Kottangal, Ranni, Thottabhagom.

Where to stay near Kaviyoor?

The best hotels near Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple are at Pathanamthitta. Mannil Regency, Hey Day Hotel, Mariam Lodge, Mannaas Veedu and Hotel Hills Park are some of the good hotels near the temple. Also, these hotels serve good food.

Where to eat near the temple?

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is a popular tourist spot. Hence several eat outs are near the temple. Joyces Baker, Hotel Sehion Restaurant, Anjali Restaurant, News Star, Uday Bakery and also Biryani Centre are very near to the temple.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple are:

  • Hanuman Swami Temple: This temple is also in the temple complex. The shrine worships Lord Hanuman. As per Indian mythology, Lord Hanumana helped Lord Rama win the battle against demon Ravana. This is the great Indian epic, Ramayana. The temple is also important for its unique construction. It represents the gable architectural style, which is rare in Kerala. Hanuman Jayanti is the main festival. This is the birth anniversary celebration of Lord Hanumana.
  • Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy Temple: Only 8 km away from Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple, this temple is very famous. Goddess Bagavathy is the main deity here. Also, as per locals, the goddess can grant wishes. The temple is famous for its wall paintings and sculptures.
  • Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple: Another important temple of Kaviyoor is Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple. This temple also worships Goddess Bhagavathy. Makaram is the main festival here. People also come here to see the old folk drama. Padayani is the drama name.
  • Sabarimala: This is a very famous temple of Kerala. The temple worships Lord Ayyappa. The temple is on a hillock and offers breath taking beauty of the surroundings. November to Mid- January is the best time to visit Sabarimala temple as this time the temple celebrates Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku. Also, the temple is closed for the rest of the year.  Besides the first five days of Vishnu month. This is a Malayalam month which is generally April as per English calendar.
  • Mannarasala Temple

Hence, visit Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple for a peaceful holiday. Moreover, this trip can be a gift to your family. Feel refreshed at the serene climate and feel divine.

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