Kerala, referred to as “God’s Own Country,” is not only identified for its backwaters and green hills, but also for its beautiful temples. The temples in Kerala demonstrate the rich history, traditions and the distinctive architecture of the state. All of them carry stories from the past, host colourful festivals and have special rituals which make them really special.
Starting with the renowned Padmanabhaswamy Temple and ending with the serene Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, no visit is complete without being a blend of culture and worship. If you are planning a trip to Kerala, a visit to these temples is a way to feel the sacred spirit of Kerala.
Top 10 Temples in Kerala
There are many ancient temples in Kerala that reflect the culture, traditions, and spiritual charm of the state. When it comes to the history of these temples, these temples are quite unique. Besides, their grand festivals and stunning architecture make them stand out when you are planning a trip to Kerala. Now, let us have a look at the 10 best temples in Kerala!
1. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
One of the most famous temples in Kerala is the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The idol in this temple demonstrates the Lord as resting on the serpent Anantha of the rare form. The temple is also referred to as one of the richest temples in the world. It is an exquisite sight and a combination of Dravidian and Kerala architecture. Only Hindus are admitted to the sanctum, and traditional attire is mandatory for all visitors.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Timings: 3:30 AM-4:45 AM (Nirmalyadarsanam); 6:30 AM- 7:00 AM; 8:30 AM- 10 AM; 10:30 AM- 11:10 AM; 11:45 AM-12 PM; 5:00 PM- 6:15 PM; 6:45 PM- 7:20 PM
Best Time to Visit: October and November (Alpashy Festival); March and April (Panguni Festival)
2. Guruvayur Temple
The Guruvayur Temple, Thrissur, is devoted to Lord Krishna and is commonly referred to as the “Dwarka of the South”. Weddings and rice-feeding ceremonies are also very popular in the temple as many families practice these rituals here. The Krishna idol is estimated to date back to 5,000 years. Visitors also enjoy going to the elephant camp in the temple, where you can find the elephants being taken care of in a classical way.
Location: Guruvayur, Thrissur district
Timings: 3:00 AM-1:30 PM, 4:30 PM-9:15 PM (Closed for darshan between 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM)
Best Time to Visit: November and December (Ekadasi Festival); February and March (Annual Utsavam)
3. Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
The Chottanikkara Temple of Kochi is devoted to Goddess Rajarajeswari, who is worshipped as Saraswati in the morning, Lakshmi at noon and Durga in the evening respectively. Another reason why the temple is one of the most famous temples in Kerala is its rituals, which are believed to cure mental illness and bring peace to people who worship here. The idol of the goddess is made of laterite stone, which lacks a permanent roof over it. A large number of pilgrims come here all across the country, particularly during the annual festival known as Makam Thozhal.
Location: Near Kochi (Ernakulam)
Timings: 4:00 AM-12:00 PM, 4:00 PM-8:45 PM
Best Time to Visit: February and March (Makam Thozhal); September and October (Navaratri Festival)
4. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple
The Amalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple in Alappuzha is one of the best temples in Kerala because of its very delicious offering called the "Palpayasam". It is a sweet rice pudding which is served to the worshippers. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is also connected by numerous legends, such as the fact that the deity from Guruvayur used to come here in the past. Its annual festival also has a special boat race that brings colour and energy to the area. The temple is simple yet filled with devotion. Pilgrims from all across the globe visit this temple to receive blessings as well as to taste the holy dessert.
Location: Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha district
Timings: 3:00 AM-12:30 PM, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: March and April (Ambalapuzha Arattu); July and August (Champakulam Boat Race)
5. Vadakkunnathan Temple
One of the oldest Shiva temples in Kerala is Vadakkunnathan Temple, situated in Thrissur. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is very special because of the enormous towers and murals that depict Mahabharata scenes. It is the principal place of the popular Thrissur Pooram festival, during which decorated elephants and fireworks create a spectacular scene. The temple has an environment that is serene and peaceful due to the greenery. A lot of tourists are attracted to visit this place to admire its religious and cultural significance.
Location: Thrissur city, Kerala
Timings: 3:00 AM-10:30 AM, 4:00 PM-8:30 PM
Best Time to Visit: April and May (Thrissur Pooram); September and October (Navaratri Festival)
6. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
One of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam. It belongs to a set of three well-known Shiva temples called the “Vaikom, Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy” temples. It is assumed that the idol of Lord Shiva here is very powerful, and numerous people visit this temple to get blessings and peace. The temple is also associated with Vaikom Satyagraha, a historic movement for social justice. The annual Vaikom Ashtami festival attracts thousands of pilgrims to this temple every year.
Location: Vaikom, Kottayam district
Timings: 4:00 AM-12:00 PM, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: November and December (Vaikom Ashtami); March and April (Annual Festival)
7. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
The Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam is one of the most famous temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous due to its beautiful murals and carvings, the most famous one being the mural of Lord Shiva in the form of Nataraja. According to many devotees, worshipping here will bring you success and wisdom. One of the most significant attractions of the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is the "Ezharaponnana"- a set of seven and a half golden elephants. These elephants are on display during the annual festival and thus add more grandeur and uniqueness to the festival for the visitors.
Location: Ettumanoor, Kottayam district
Timings: 4:00 AM-12:00 PM, 5:00 PM-8:30 PM
Best Time to Visit: February and March (Ezharaponnana Festival); September and October (Temple Utsavam)
8. Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple
The Mannarasala Temple in Alappuzha is dedicated to serpent gods, and this is why it is very different compared to the other temples. It is located in a forest-like location where thousands of snake idols are located on the way and along the shrines. Believers feel that worshipping here enables them to be healthy, fertile and prosperous. This temple is frequented by women who want to have blessings for their children. The chief priest here is always a woman. Special rituals held in the Ayilyam festival of the temple are highly popular.
Location: Haripad, Alappuzha district
Timings: 5:00 AM-12:00 PM, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Best Time to Visit: October and November (Ayilyam Festival); July and August (Monsoon rituals)
9. Tali Temple
The Tali Temple at Kozhikode is one of the most ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Zamorin rulers originally constructed it, and it is also characterised by elaborate woodwork and carvings on the brass. The temple is where the famous Revathi Pattathanam, a cultural and scholarly festival, has been celebrated for centuries. This temple is popular among pilgrims and history lovers because it is a blend of worship with art and tradition. Its serene ambience and old architecture make it a special place in the city of Kozhikode.
Location: Kozhikode, Kerala
Timings: 4:00 AM-11:00 AM, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: October and November (Revathi Pattathanam); March and April (Annual Festival)
10. Lokanarkavu Temple
Lokanarkavu Temple in Kozhikode is dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple is closely related to the martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu. According to folklore, a lot of warriors came here to worship and seek the blessings of Maa Durga before heading into battle. The temple is simple yet surrounded by legends as well as cultural pride. It hosts an annual Pooram festival that has traditional dance along with performances on folk art. The temple is also mentioned in many old ballads and thus it is one of the most famous temples in Kerala among those who love history, culture, and spirituality together under the same roof.
Location: Vatakara, Kozhikode district
Timings: 5:00 AM-11:00 AM, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: March and April (Lokanarkavu Pooram); November and December (Mandala Festival)
Conclusion
Kerala is not only known to have backwaters and beaches, but also the beautiful and magnificent ancient temples. Every temples in Kerala narrates a story that reflects history, culture and devotion. These religious sites reveal the true spirit of Kerala- be it through the grand Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple or the sacred Mannarasala Nagaraj Temple. It is a serene and spiritual experience to see them up close, and they also make you more familiar with the traditions of Kerala. Therefore, when you are planning a trip to Kerala, you would not want to miss out on these temples at any cost.
