Ananthapura Lake temple

 District:                      Kasaragod

 

 Highlights:

 The temple is located 5 Km from Kumbla, in the Kasargod District of Kerala State. The temple is in a beautiful lake, situate on a calm, tranquil and beautiful rocky hill. From the top of the hill the places around can be seen as a beautiful green natural scenery. The temple houses a beautiful of the deity of Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy seated on the Adi Sesha. This shrine is an ancient one with a known status from 6th century onwards. The shrine is having a prakaram (Chuttambalam) all around with walls like an enclosed veranda. The walls decorated with murals. There is a cave which ends in a pond. It is believed that the level of water in the pond will be at the same level at all seasons without increasing or decreasing. Near to the temple there is a rivulet known as papanasini. It is believed that the papanasini has the divine powers and will cleanse the souls by removing the sins. This temple has one of the best Koothambalams in Kerala. The shrine is supported by 30 granites and the floor is made by square granite blocks.

It is believed that there is crocodile in the temple. This is the main attraction and uniqueness of Kerala's only lake temple. The local call it as Babia and believe that the crocodile is there to guard the temple and the hidden treasure believed to be there in a cave in the lake. It is also believed that there will only one crocodile at any time. If one dies another mysteriously comes from somewhere. It eats the offerings of the temple given to it after the noon offerings. Another feature of the temple is that the original idol of the deity is made of a compound about 70 medicinal substances known as kadu sarkara yogam. This original idol is kept near the present one made of Pancha loha metal in 1972.

One unique feature of the Ananthapura Lake Temple is that any one from any religion, caste or creed is allowed here. 

Access: 

• Airport:  Mangalore Airport, 50 Km
• Railwaystation: Kumbla, 5 Km
• Road: 15 Km from Kasaragod town

Kashmir Tourism, East Sikkim Tourism, Kerala Tourism

Anandasramam and Nityanandasramam Temple

District:                        Kasaragod

 

Highlights:

 Anandashramam, situated about eight Km east of the Kanhangad Railway Station, was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramdas, a great Vaishnava saint of modern times. The main asramam and other buildings have a beautiful setting in the midst of shady mango, coconut and other groves. There is a hill to the east of the asramam, to which the devotees retire for quiet meditation and from its west, the surrounding extensive landscape can be seen in its natural grandeur. The spot at the highest point of the hill is so fascinating that the devotees, who go up the hill and sit silently, are blessed with deep peace and tranquility.

The Nityanandasramam, which is situated on the hillock about half a Km south of the Hosdurg taluk office, was founded by Swami Nityanada. The spot was at first part of a forest area. Here Swami Nityananda constructed 45 guhas (caves) in a mountain slope. There is a temple built in 1963, after the style and design of the famous Somanatha Temple in Gujarat. A full size statue of Swami Nityananda in sitting posture made of panchaloha is one of the attractions of the asramam. 

Access: 

• Airport: Mangalore Airport, 70 Km
• Railway station: Kahangad Station, 8 Km

Kashmir Tourism, East Sikkim Tourism, Kerala Tourism

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

District:                     Pathanamthitta

Hightlights:

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop, about 3000 feet above sea level. The uniqueness gathers its voice, as the temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple; east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar, a friend of Lord Ayyappa called as 'Vavarunada', an epitome of religious harmony. Another interesting fact is that it is not open throughout the year. It is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku and Chitra Vishu. It is said that the pilgrims have to follow fasting for 41 days to cleanse their minds before going to Sabarimala. The journey to the temple is to be taken through difficult paths in the forest as the vehicles can go only up to Pampa.

It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in world with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. The prasadam at Sabarimala temple is Aravana payasam and Appam. These are prepared by using rice, ghee, sugar etc. The rice needed to prepare prasadam at Sabarimala is supplied by Chettikulangara Devi temple, the second largest temple under Travancore devaswom board situated at Mavelikara.

 Access:
    * Airport: Kochi International Airport
    * Railway station: Pathanamthitta station, 70 Km

 Best Time: Nov to Jan and in April

Kashmir Tourism, East Sikkim Tourism, Kerala Tourism

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

 District:                   Trivandrum

 Highlights: 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in Kerala. Also known by the name Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Located at east fort, in Trivandrum- the capital city of Kerala. Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra), lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. According to traditions, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas). The Shrine is currently run by a trust headed by Royal family of Travancore.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of the Lord Mahavishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars. The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is made up of 12008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord.  On top of them "Katusarkara Yogam", Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.

The Temple is considered to the richest one in Kerala. As per news report it occupies more than crores of treasure that includes antique gold ornaments, diamonds and other precious stones, golden crown, golden bow, golden vessels, and other precious stones. These were found in the secret chambers of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Access:

• Airport:   Thrivandrum Airport, 7 Km
• Railway station: Trivandrum Central Railway station, 1 Km

Kashmir Tourism, East Sikkim Tourism, Kerala Tourism

Thriprayar

District:                  Thrissur

Highlights:

Located on a picturesque spot on the banks of river Triprayar, the temple occupies a vast area as the main Shiva temple at Thrissur, dedicated to Sri Rama, which combines attractive location, traditional legend and superb architecture. In the dim past, this river is believed to have skirted the temple on three sides and hence the sacred place is called Thirupuraiyar or most popularly as Triprayar.

The temple has a beautiful architecture, the ‘garbhagriha' is square in plan, on a massive base and includes several tiers sending in a conical roof. The Namaskara Mandapam has a treasure of carvings on wood. Mural paintings are found on the walls. The panels have fine carvings depicting the ‘Navagrahas'. Around the Srikovil are carved episodes of Ramayana in the style of sculpture that blend with the architecture of the shrine.

Thirupuraiyar ‘Ekadashi' in ‘Vrischika Krishna Panchami' (Dark fortnight) is a very auspicious day at this ‘Kshetra'. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees flock to this temple to participate in the celebrations. Another important festival is Arathupuzha Pooram, held in March-April attracts a large crowd to witness the fireworks and the elephant procession. 

Access:

• Airport: Kochi International Airport
• Railway station: Thrissur station, 25 Km

Kashmir Tourism, East Sikkim Tourism, Kerala Tourism