ANANTHAPURAM LAKE TEMPLE

Ananthapuram Lake Temple is the only lake temple in Kerala, which is regarded as the moolasthanam (original abode) of Anandapadmanabha, the deity of Sri Padmanabha Swami temple, Thiruvananthapuram. It is located at Ananthapuram,, 30km from Bekal in Kasargod District.
The deity Shri Padmanabha is in a sitting posture. This temple is associated with the great mystic Vilvamangalathu Swami who is believed to have offered penance at this spot.
The temple which is built on a remote rock is situated in the center of the Ananthapura lake. There is a lone crocodile living in the lake. It is said that when one crocodile dies, another one appears.
The walls of the temple are adorned by murals depicting themes from the Puranas and there is a cave which opens out to a small pond where the water level remains steady regardless of climatic changes.
The original idols in the temple were made of a special combination of a number of medicinal materials known as 'kadu-sharkara-yogam.' These were recast in panchaloha in the year 1972, but now there is a move to reinstall idols made of the original material.
To reach the temple, one has to travel 11 km from Kasargod to Kumbala. From Kumbala, there is a road that leads to Badiadka, and it is a further 3 km to Naikap. The temple is located 1 km from there.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

According to popular legend, Kerala was hewn out of sea by Parasuram, the incarnation Vishnu. He brought about abundance of corn, vegetables, plants and trees to his land. He also consecrated several temples sacred to Shiva and Vishnu for the spiritual well being of his people. One such temple is at Vaikom in the Kottayam District of Kerala, dedicated to Lord Shiva, locally known as Vaikuntappan. Vaikom temple is unique by itself, for thousands of pilgrims and visitors throng the temple through out the year.

It is believed that the original shrine was renovated centuries ago by the earliest rulers of old Travancore, who took interest in this temple. The great sage Vyaghrapadar (tiger-footed Rishi) who was responsible for the Chidambaram temple, attained perfection here and the banyan tree under which he used to meditate, still stands in the courtyard of the temple premises.

It is said that the great Rishi Khara, while bathing in the sea, discovered three Lingams which he installed in Vaikom, meaning“Valathu (Right) Ettumanur Edathu (left), Kadathirithi (Centere)”. These three places are equidistant from one another.

Centuries later, the great Parasurama, the creator of Kerala, discovered these Lingams and constructed the original temples for all of them, but the Vaikom temple attained more significance and prominence than the other two. The story goes that one day Parasurama was being airborne northwards, when his eyes chanced upon a beautiful Shiva Linga below, standing in knee-deep water, radiating glory all round. Overwhelmed with joy, Parasurama descended to the spot, tood the Linga and embraced it. He made a square platform and installed the Linga on it according to Sankarshana rituals. It is on this square, that the present temple stands.

The ‘Sanctum sanctorum', the five enclosures (prakaram), ‘mandapam', tower and other structures were also built by Parasurama strictly in accordance with the requirements of Tantric shastras. He also brought Brahmin priests and established daily worship and other rites. He exhorted the people to obtain the blessings of Mahadeva by regular worship, prayer and offerings to the Shiva Linga.

Lord Shiva is considered to be a lover of bathing (Abhishekapria). It is believed that Parasurama himself spent years at this place performing ‘abhisheka' to the Linga with thousand pots of holy water (sahasra Kalashams) according to the vedic rites. In fact, Sahasra Kalasha Abhishekam is a regular form of offering at this place. Those engaged in the pious practice range from ordinary devotees and pilgrims to the princes of the royal family.

Considered as one of the largest and the oldest of all Kerala temples, the construction here is of a rare style. It was the period which saw the rise of highly embellished ‘Bobical mandapa', elliptical in plan. The Mandapams, the Prakarams, the four huge corridors, the spacious halls have all been constructed with slabs of black stone. Mortar, cement or concrete is not used at all, and wood is used only s beams in certain places which may be taken only as later additions. Most of the pillars and beams and the ceiling itself are of sculptured black stones.

Occupying over eight acres of land and surrounded by high walls and four gigantic towers, the Vaikom temple is major structure of Keala. A devotee can have ‘Darshan' of the deity and offerings made for no payments at all.

Public feeding is considered the favourite pleasure of the presiding deity. Apart from the mass feasts arranged by the Devasom, the Government of Kerala and the Maharaja of Travancore, devotees of Kerala and other places in south India, also arrange frequently for such feeding. The famous Uttupura (dining hall), a 340 metres long double storeyed structure is a recent addition, along with several other buildings. Two large tanks (Pushkarinis) are also situated with the temple compound. These are considered very holy and pilgrims use them for bathing purpose.

The Lord at Vaikom is also known as ‘Annadana Prabhu'-giver of feasts. Feeding the public devotees and visitors in general, and feasting on important days are considered to be offerings to propitiate the God. There used to be feasts almost daily at this place. Even now, despite the shortage and low income from the devotees, feasts continue to be held regularly, though on a smaller scale.

As the feast at this temple is regarded as ‘Prasad' given by the presiding deity, every one from pauper to prince partake the food. In fact any one who does into share the food is considered as a sinner. The food offered at Vaikom temple is said to have curative power for ailments like stomach-ache, ulcer, etc. It is the promise of the Lord Vaikuntappan that anyone who offers or feasters at this temple here, gets his desires granted. Similarly, any one who bathes the Shiva Linga with milk or holy water gets rid of the disease and other sufferings.

The ‘Sanctum Sanctorum' of the temple is large and spacious and the Shiva Lingam itself is about two meter high. The annual festival of the temple is Ashtami in the month of Karthige; Ashtami on the 12 th day, and Arattu, the holy water bath for the deity on the 13th day. The Ashtami day is considered as auspicious that it is observed throughout Kerala with special worship to Vaikuntappan. At the temple, each of the days of the Ashtami festival has a special programme, ‘poojas' and rituals, elegant processions, public feeding, music, dancec etc. Thousands of visitors and pilgrims attend each day's function. These celebrations reach the peak on the ashtami day.

From the early hours of this day, devotees crowd the temple for ‘Darshan' as this is considered auspicious. The main event occurs at night when the happy meeting between Vaikuntanathan and His son, Lord Subramanya, the presiding deity of the nearby Udayanapuram, takes place. It is believed that Udayanapuradappan, as the son is called, had gone to a battle with the Rakshasa and the meeting is an occasion for the father to greet the triumphant son.

The coming of Udayanapuradappan accompanied by the Gods and Goddesses of the neighbouring temples, all mounted on gorgeous caparisoned elephants with ‘Nagaswaram' and hundreds of torches (Theevattees), provide a grand sight. Hundreds of thousands of visitors collect to witness the symbolic meeting of the father and the son and make offerings to the deities. It looks as though the Gods converse with each other, meeting as they do, after a ong interval. After going round the temple, the ‘leave taking ceremony' (aarattu) takes place. For this function also, Udayanapuradappan comes to Vaikom and there is a join worship for father and son. After this ceremony, Vaikuntappan also goes to his son's place and has a bath. There are ‘poojas' for the two Gods.

During the recent times, Vaikom became famous for its ‘Satyagraha' movement for temple entry was initiated here. in the beginning, it was given for the right to use the roads leading to the temple. It started as early as in 1924 and lasted for several months. Many prominent political leaders like C.F Andrews, C.Rajagopalachari, Srinivasa Iyengar, hd visited Vaikom Satyagraha Ashram.

This movement was a success. This roads leading to the temple were thrown open to all sections of Hindus. The struggle for the temple entry continued. It was in 1933 that the then Travancore Governemtn by a proclamation removed all the restrictions and permitted worship at temples controlled by the Government. Vaikom was the vanguard of popular temple entry movement throughout the country.

Kochi is the nearest air port. Vaikom is only 40 kms. by road and is connected with Kottayam also, which is 45 kms. away. A number of state and private busies, vans and taxis operate from many principal cities to Vaikom. Kochi and Kottayam have excellent lodging facilities for tourists and pilgrims. Visitors can make use of the State Government launch service on the Vebanad lake.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

According to popular legend, Kerala was hewn out of sea by Parasuram, the incarnation Vishnu. He brought about abundance of corn, vegetables, plants and trees to his land. He also consecrated several temples sacred to Shiva and Vishnu for the spiritual well being of his people. One such temple is at Vaikom in the Kottayam District of Kerala, dedicated to Lord Shiva, locally known as Vaikuntappan. Vaikom temple is unique by itself, for thousands of pilgrims and visitors throng the temple through out the year.

It is believed that the original shrine was renovated centuries ago by the earliest rulers of old Travancore, who took interest in this temple. The great sage Vyaghrapadar (tiger-footed Rishi) who was responsible for the Chidambaram temple, attained perfection here and the banyan tree under which he used to meditate, still stands in the courtyard of the temple premises.

It is said that the great Rishi Khara, while bathing in the sea, discovered three Lingams which he installed in Vaikom, meaning“Valathu (Right) Ettumanur Edathu (left), Kadathirithi (Centere)”. These three places are equidistant from one another.

Centuries later, the great Parasurama, the creator of Kerala, discovered these Lingams and constructed the original temples for all of them, but the Vaikom temple attained more significance and prominence than the other two. The story goes that one day Parasurama was being airborne northwards, when his eyes chanced upon a beautiful Shiva Linga below, standing in knee-deep water, radiating glory all round. Overwhelmed with joy, Parasurama descended to the spot, tood the Linga and embraced it. He made a square platform and installed the Linga on it according to Sankarshana rituals. It is on this square, that the present temple stands.

The ‘Sanctum sanctorum', the five enclosures (prakaram), ‘mandapam', tower and other structures were also built by Parasurama strictly in accordance with the requirements of Tantric shastras. He also brought Brahmin priests and established daily worship and other rites. He exhorted the people to obtain the blessings of Mahadeva by regular worship, prayer and offerings to the Shiva Linga.

Lord Shiva is considered to be a lover of bathing (Abhishekapria). It is believed that Parasurama himself spent years at this place performing ‘abhisheka' to the Linga with thousand pots of holy water (sahasra Kalashams) according to the vedic rites. In fact, Sahasra Kalasha Abhishekam is a regular form of offering at this place. Those engaged in the pious practice range from ordinary devotees and pilgrims to the princes of the royal family.

Considered as one of the largest and the oldest of all Kerala temples, the construction here is of a rare style. It was the period which saw the rise of highly embellished ‘Bobical mandapa', elliptical in plan. The Mandapams, the Prakarams, the four huge corridors, the spacious halls have all been constructed with slabs of black stone. Mortar, cement or concrete is not used at all, and wood is used only s beams in certain places which may be taken only as later additions. Most of the pillars and beams and the ceiling itself are of sculptured black stones.

Occupying over eight acres of land and surrounded by high walls and four gigantic towers, the Vaikom temple is major structure of Keala. A devotee can have ‘Darshan' of the deity and offerings made for no payments at all.

Public feeding is considered the favourite pleasure of the presiding deity. Apart from the mass feasts arranged by the Devasom, the Government of Kerala and the Maharaja of Travancore, devotees of Kerala and other places in south India, also arrange frequently for such feeding. The famous Uttupura (dining hall), a 340 metres long double storeyed structure is a recent addition, along with several other buildings. Two large tanks (Pushkarinis) are also situated with the temple compound. These are considered very holy and pilgrims use them for bathing purpose.

The Lord at Vaikom is also known as ‘Annadana Prabhu'-giver of feasts. Feeding the public devotees and visitors in general, and feasting on important days are considered to be offerings to propitiate the God. There used to be feasts almost daily at this place. Even now, despite the shortage and low income from the devotees, feasts continue to be held regularly, though on a smaller scale.

As the feast at this temple is regarded as ‘Prasad' given by the presiding deity, every one from pauper to prince partake the food. In fact any one who does into share the food is considered as a sinner. The food offered at Vaikom temple is said to have curative power for ailments like stomach-ache, ulcer, etc. It is the promise of the Lord Vaikuntappan that anyone who offers or feasters at this temple here, gets his desires granted. Similarly, any one who bathes the Shiva Linga with milk or holy water gets rid of the disease and other sufferings.

The ‘Sanctum Sanctorum' of the temple is large and spacious and the Shiva Lingam itself is about two meter high. The annual festival of the temple is Ashtami in the month of Karthige; Ashtami on the 12 th day, and Arattu, the holy water bath for the deity on the 13th day. The Ashtami day is considered as auspicious that it is observed throughout Kerala with special worship to Vaikuntappan. At the temple, each of the days of the Ashtami festival has a special programme, ‘poojas' and rituals, elegant processions, public feeding, music, dancec etc. Thousands of visitors and pilgrims attend each day's function. These celebrations reach the peak on the ashtami day.

From the early hours of this day, devotees crowd the temple for ‘Darshan' as this is considered auspicious. The main event occurs at night when the happy meeting between Vaikuntanathan and His son, Lord Subramanya, the presiding deity of the nearby Udayanapuram, takes place. It is believed that Udayanapuradappan, as the son is called, had gone to a battle with the Rakshasa and the meeting is an occasion for the father to greet the triumphant son.

The coming of Udayanapuradappan accompanied by the Gods and Goddesses of the neighbouring temples, all mounted on gorgeous caparisoned elephants with ‘Nagaswaram' and hundreds of torches (Theevattees), provide a grand sight. Hundreds of thousands of visitors collect to witness the symbolic meeting of the father and the son and make offerings to the deities. It looks as though the Gods converse with each other, meeting as they do, after a ong interval. After going round the temple, the ‘leave taking ceremony' (aarattu) takes place. For this function also, Udayanapuradappan comes to Vaikom and there is a join worship for father and son. After this ceremony, Vaikuntappan also goes to his son's place and has a bath. There are ‘poojas' for the two Gods.

During the recent times, Vaikom became famous for its ‘Satyagraha' movement for temple entry was initiated here. in the beginning, it was given for the right to use the roads leading to the temple. It started as early as in 1924 and lasted for several months. Many prominent political leaders like C.F Andrews, C.Rajagopalachari, Srinivasa Iyengar, hd visited Vaikom Satyagraha Ashram.

This movement was a success. This roads leading to the temple were thrown open to all sections of Hindus. The struggle for the temple entry continued. It was in 1933 that the then Travancore Governemtn by a proclamation removed all the restrictions and permitted worship at temples controlled by the Government. Vaikom was the vanguard of popular temple entry movement throughout the country.

Kochi is the nearest air port. Vaikom is only 40 kms. by road and is connected with Kottayam also, which is 45 kms. away. A number of state and private busies, vans and taxis operate from many principal cities to Vaikom. Kochi and Kottayam have excellent lodging facilities for tourists and pilgrims. Visitors can make use of the State Government launch service on the Vebanad lake.

Sree Poornathreyeesa Temple

This temple is located at Thripunithura town. Sree Poornathreyeesan is the family deity of Cochin royal family. The glorious devine rests under the five hood of Ananthan.

While Arjuna was in Vaikundom, the adobe of Vishnu, an idol was presented to him. Vishnu wanted it to be installed on the earth. Arjuna put it in his quiver (Pooni in Malayalam). It was and idol of Maha Vishnu. After reaching on the earth, as desired by Sreekrishna, Arjuna gave the idol to a Brahmin. The brahmin was none other than the Brahnin described in the story of ‘Santhana Gopalam'. He installed the idol in a ‘thura' (a place where people gather) observing all ‘tantric' rituals. Hence the place is known as ‘Thripoonithura'. After the Brahmin's death, his ancestors (the Puliyoor family) have been performing all ‘Poojas' at this temple.

The scholars say that the word ‘threyee' means Veda and so the devine who knows the whole veda is known as ‘Pooranthreyeesan'. It is compulsory that the priest who perform poojas at this temple should have thorough knowledge of Vedas.

This temple has got a reference in the ‘Sukasandesa' and old poem in the form of a message. The reference of a ‘Fullayaru' and Vishnu temple in the poem are actually the ‘Pazhupuzha' and the thripoonithura Vishnu temple. In those days it was considered as a village temple and was the only temple for those who belong to the villages chowvara. Peruvanom, Irinjalakuda and Vedanadu.

It was a time when the Vaishnava movement was at its zenith in South India . As a result the Thulu Brahins were attracted to the temple and they tried their best for the progress of the Poornathreyeesa temple along with the local Nampoothiris. The Thulu Brahmins sought help and advice from the Nampoothiris as and when needed and in duel course took over the charge of the temple. The priests performed all temple rituals. Today the Vaishnava Brahmins from the Uduppi village in Mysore are the chief priests of the temple.

During the reign of Sakthan Thampuran the administration of the temple was taken over by him and when the Indian Union came into existence, the management was handed over tot eh Cochin Devasom Board.

In 1096 M.E. a huge fire consumed the temple buildings leaving the idol and the shrine unhurt. Later under the supervision of the architect Mr.Echara Warrier, the temple was renovated as we see it today.

There are three gate towers (Gopurams) of which the east and west are the most important. The southern gate tower is closed and there is no tower on the opposite side where there is located only a mess hall.

The idol of Poornathreyeesa, having four arms, in about 4” tall under the five hoods of Amanita. It is placed on a separate pedestal.

There is an ever-burning oil lamp at the shrine. It is believed that Arjuna had placed it after the placement of the idol. The favourite offering of the divine is lighting the oil lamps and it is known as ‘Olpenna'. There is no sub-deites at the temple except Sree Ganapathy.

There are four major festivals at the temple. They are thulam festival (October/November), Vrichikom festival( November/December), Moosari festival (August-Septemebr) and festival of ‘Nagappennu' (February/March). Among them Vrichikom festival is the most important one. On the day of ‘Chothi' (Star) flag is hoisted with ‘tantric' ceremonies and on the ‘Thiruvathira day' the festival ends with ‘arat' (divine bath). On each day of the festival the Lord accompanied by 15 elephants and ‘Panchari melam' goes round the temple. Variety entertainments add flavour to the festival. The people of Thrippunithura, forgetting their cast or creed participate in all these festivals and it can rightly be called a ‘Unity in diversity'.

Kottarakkara Manikandeswaram Temple

About six centuries ago there was a palace at Kottarakkara which belonged to the Elayidathu Swarupam. The place got its name only after the shifting of Elayidathu Swarupam to Kilimanoor. Before that his headquarters of the Swarupam was known as Kunninemal. Here there is a Siva temple which faces to the east. It is known as Manikandeswaram temple. The main deity is Lord Siva. At the shrine Goddess Sree Parvathy faces to the west and Sree Ganapathy to the south. The temple is not much superior to other temples with regard to dignity and decorum. The gold flag staff in front of the temple has been put up only recently. The shrine where the main deity has been placed is round in shape and the roof is thatched with copper sheets. First of all devotees need to worship Lord Siva and Parvathy and then only Vigneswara, is the custom to be followed. Though the temple is actually an abode of Lord Siva, it is popularly known as a Ganapathy temple.

The idol of Vigneswara, is a magnificent one carved in wood by Perumthachan. As a part of the daily ritual smearing of oil is being carried out. As a result, the idol has been turned to black and looks as if it were a some idol. It is 3 feet high, with a small trunk and four hands, carring coir, hook, rice cake, and plantain fruit. On the neck there is a chain with beads of rudraksha and on the forehead a golden pendant. In order to get a good divine view the front portion is barred. The sub-deity Sree Dharma Sastha is located outside the main shrine.

People believe that if there take refuge for help and worship Ganapathi, they will be able to accomplish everything in life to lead a happy and prosperous life.

The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of Medom (April/May). On the day of Thiruvathira the temple flag is hoisted. The festival lasts for 10 days with elaborate ceremonial offerings, grand processions with all kinds of musical instruments, and a wide variety of entertainments including Kathakali.

The favourite offering to the deity (libation) is a kind of rice cake fried in oil. The making of the cakes is to be done in front of the Ganapathy. So that he can see and enjoy the fragrance of the cake! In the past there was a special kind of offering in which the whole idol was covered with fried rice-cakes.

There is a legend behind the construction of the idol of Ganapathy in Kottarakkara temple.

It was the item when the wood-work was being carried out at the temple. Many carpenters from different parts of the state were lodged there to do the work. They competed among themselves to perform the most attractive artistic works. An old carpenter, who was among them, was a stranger and he seemed to perform his task in the most perfect manner. So everyone praised him. At night when the evening rituals were over, this carpenter ate some remnants of food offered tot eh deity and slept the temple premises.

While the carpenter was sleeping in the lonely and calm atmosphere of the temple, there occurred in this mind a beautiful form of Ganapathi. At once he stood up and looked around, but there wasn't anybody. The enchanting form of Ganapathy was still in mind. Then he decided to engrave the form on a piece of wood. To his amazement he saw a piece of root of a jack tree nearby. It is an abandoned piece of root due to its hardness. He took it and began to engrave with the help of the light coming out from fire that he made himself using small pieces of wood. He worked on it for a few hours. As a result he became so tired that he could not continue his work. Soon he fell asleep. In the morning when he woke up, he was fortunate enough to see a beautiful idol of Sree Ganapathy among his scattered tools. He bowed his bead before the idol with reverence and adoration. It is the very idol that we saw now in the main shrine. The master builder of the idol was none other than the legendary carpenter Perumthachan.

Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple

On the banks of a beautiful river near Thrissur in Kerala almost bordering the trunk road is a big temple 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 main idol of Sri Rama which is installed and worshipped at this temple is believed to have been originally worshipped by Sri.Krishna at Dwaraka in Sowrashtra coast. When Dwaraka was submerged, the idol of Sri Rama was lying in the sea bed along with the further idols of Lakshmana, Bharata and shaturghna.

After many centuries, when some fishermen went out into the sea for fishing, the idol, of Sri Rama, along with the other idols got entangled in their fishing nets. They brought them ashore and handed over to the local chieftain Vikkal Kaimal. He consulted the astrologers and came to know about the previous history of these idols. At that time, there was a divine ‘asari' who informed him that the idol of Sri Rama should be installed at the place where a peacock would be visible in the sky.

Accordingly, all the preparations were made for the installation of the idol, but even after several days, no peacock was visible. At last, a devotee pilgrim carrying a bunch of peacock feathers came to this spot, followed by a live peacock also. The idol of Sri Rama was installed at that very spot where the peacock feathers and the peacock were found.

The idol is Bharata was installed at Irinjalakuda Koodalnickam. Lakshmana's idol, was installed at Moorikunni village 10 kms. away similarly the idol of Shatrughna was installed at an adjacent place called payamel. The chieftain is said to have constructed the original shrines at all these places for the respective idols. Among all these, the shrine of Bharatha at Irinajalakuda came to prominence as that was the only temple built separately for Bharata in the entire region.

According to the local legend, it is said that the idol of Sri Rama kept on revolving after it was installed until an ascetic did some rituals and prayers and a nail driven at the base. The majestic deity of Sri Rama is worshipped here as Maha Vishnu due to its posture and the attributes. He holds in his two hands the bow and garland and the other two hands hold the discuss (chakra) and conch (Shankha). The chest is adorned with srivatsa and Kaustubham. Some time later, the ‘Saparivara Pratishta” of Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi was also done on the right and left side of the deity.

An outstanding peculiarity of the ‘sanctum sanctorum' si that there are idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ganapathi and a lamp at the back of the deity. The local devotees call the idol as ‘Trimurthy' as it is supposed to represent Brahma also. Hanuman is said to be present at the ‘Namaskara Mandapa' although there is no separate idol for him.

Devotees possessed of evil spirits throng to this place and the cure is miraculous due to the presence of Hanuman. He is supposed to be always running about the temple chanting ‘Drishta Sita, Drishta Sita'. The periodical fireworks conducted here also emanate the same type of sound. As is in the temple of Thrissur , there is no ‘Dhwaja Stambha' in this temple also. Devotees offer prayer first to the‘Namaskara Mandapa' before worshipping Sri Rama.

Located on a picturesque spot on the banks of river Triprayar, the temple occupies a vast area as the main Shiva temple at Thrissur. The ‘garbhagriha' is square in plan, on a massive base, and includes sveral tiers sending in a conical roof. According to an inscription, historically the temple is ascribed to the 11th century. a number of pillars, beautifully carved, uproot the roof of the structure which has a pyramidal roof covered with copper sheets. 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.

About 3 kms. to the north-east of Thirupuraiyar, there is a place where a bund was supposed to have been erected on the river similar to the ‘Sethu Bhandana' at Dhanushkodi. In the month of Kanni on Thiruvonam star, the deity is taken to that place every year. This place is known as Raman Chitra or the bund of Sri Rama.

The ‘Arattu', something similar to the south Indian temple Brahmotsavam of the deity is celebrated in the Arattu Kadavu, known as Mandarathi Kadavu. An important feature observed here is a kind of drama acting with a single person, known as ‘Kuttu'. The festival lasts for twelve days. The theme is usually episodes from Ramayana such as Hanuman locating Sita in Ashoka vana, presentation of ‘Chudamani' to Sri Rama, etc. Major part of the presentation is the conversation between Hanuman and Sita.

According to the‘Sthala Purana', when Parasurama created Kerala and brought the Brahmins to inherit the area, they complained about the absence of a sacred river for bathing purposes. Thereupon, Parasurama prayed to Brahama for the grant of the sacred River, who sent the seven ‘Kanyas', Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada and Kaveri to flow here as river triprayer. It is believed that these seven divine ‘Kanyas' come to this river every year on the‘Vrat' day of the deity.

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. Till a generation ago, more than a hundred elephants decorated with glittering howdahs, umbrellas and ornaments used to take part in the procession.

Thirupuraiyar is only 24 kms. form Thrissur railway station. Kochi is the nearest Airport. An excellent road connects this sacred ‘Kshetra' with many important cities in Kerala and Tamilnadu. The State and Public Transport authorities operate in this route in addition to hired taxis nd vans. A moderate choultry is maintained at this ‘Kshetre' by the temple authorities, but Thrissur would be the most convenient place for overnight stay as good lodging facilities are available here.

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

Gaja Mela

PADMANABHA SWAMI TEMPLE

Tourist Places in Kerala

Kerala is known as ‘Gods Own Country'. Kerala is probably one of the greenest places you will ever see. It's famous for its lush greenery, the sea, the divine high ranges of the Western Ghats on the east, the Arabian Sea on the west, emerald paddy fields, virgin forests and the limpid backwaters. Kerala is set in the lap of Mother Nature.

Thiruvananthapuram

Padmanabha Swamy Temple: (Open: 0415 - 0515 hrs, 0645 - 0730 hrs, 0830 - 1030 hrs, 1130 - 1145 hrs, 1715 - 1930 hrs)

The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. This is an ancient temple and the city of Thiruvananthapuram derives its name from the name of the presiding deity enshrined in the temple. This is one of the oldest temples in kerala that is not under the rule of the Devaswom board. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Dress code: Men - Dhoti; Women - Sari and blouse

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Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple

Golden Chariot, Kollur Mookambika Temple,

Gorakh Nath Temple,

Dharmastala Temple, Karnataka

Kollur Sree Mookambika Temple, Kottiyoor Temple,

Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Delhi,

Lotus Temple, Delhi,

Meenakshi Temple, Madhurai,

Panchaganga Temple, Mahabaleshwar,

Parassinikkadavu Temple,

Radha Krishna Temple, Kanpur,

Raja Rajeshwara Temple, Kannur,

Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan

Siddinath Mahadeva Temple, Uttar Pradesh,

Thirunakkara Temple, Kottayam,

Vaikkom Temple,