Sree Parasuramaswamy Temple Thiruvallam

Location: Thiruvallam, Kovalam Bypass road around 6 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city. Around 10 km away from the International Airport. 

Main Deity: Parasurama (6th Avatar of Vishnu)


Other deities: Lord Siva (same importance as Main Deity), Lord Brahma, Lord Ganapathy, Saint Vedavyasa, Goddess Mahishassuramarddini (Bhadrakaali), Matsyamoorthy (Fish god), Lord Subramanian


Festivals: Annual Festival at ‘Thulam’ (October-November). 20 day celeberations starts with the ‘Kodiyettam’ in ‘Atham’ day and ends with ‘Arattu’ in ‘Thiruvonam’ day.


Sree Parashuram Temple is a 2000 year old temple located at Thiruvallam  is located 6 kilometers south of the Thiruvananthapuram City, along the banks of the Karamana River in Kerala. 


This is the only one temple dedicated to Sri Parasurama in Kerala as the main deity. 


Leading pilgrimage centre for 'Balitharpanam' or ‘Vavu Bali’ in ‘Karkkidaka’ (July-August) month on the previous night of the new moon day [(The ‘Ellam’, ‘Vallam’ and ‘Nelli’ places, Ellam indicates ancestral house, Vallam indicates Thiruvallam and Nelli indicates Thirunelly]. People make offerings to their ancestors, after taking a dip in the holy river. There is wide belief that the great monk Adi Shakara made the Bali for his mother at this place. The temple allows ‘Balitharpanam’ ceremony performed inside the ‘Nalambalam’ (inner place of the temple).


Historians observed that this temple was built in the 9th century AD. It is believed that this temple is constructed by Athiyaman Perumal, a legendary Chera King. 


There are five Poojas and other rituals performed here daily, considering as a ‘Mahakshethra’ (Great temple). Main offering  is ‘Ganapathyhomam’ worshiping Ganapathy).   Seperate shrines for the Trimurtis is one of the feature. Another 
speciality the temple is located at the Triveni Sangama (merging of 3 rivers) of Karamana River, Killi River, and Parvathiputhanar River.

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Thycaud Dharma Sastha Temple

Location: Thycaud, Near Govt. Arts College - 1.5 KM from Trivandrum Central Railway Station and Bus Station and 8 km from International Airport.

Main Deity: Sastha


Other Deities: Lord Ganesh, Maha Vishnu, Subramanya Swamy, Nagar, Hanuman Swamy, Durga and  Nava Grahas

Festivals: Makara Vilakku (Annual Festival) and  Mandala Puja

Sastha Temple, has been maintained recently, in Kerala style of architecture. Neeranjanam is the main offering at the temple. In the Bhajana Manadapam from 2001 every saturdays performing Bhajan.

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Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple

Location: Karikkakom - 2 km from Chackai and 7 km from Trivandrum City.


Main Deity: Karikkakathamma [Goddess Chamundi Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga]


Other Deities: Shri Rektha Chamundi, Shri Bhala Chamundi, Shasthavu, Sri Maha Ganapathy, Bala Ganapathy, Yogisawaran, Yakshi Amma, Bhuvanesweri, Ayira Valli Thampuran, Guru Mandiaram, Naga udi Temple, Karikkakom Govt High School, Chacka, Trivandrum, Kerala, Ind r Kavu


Festivals:  Main Festival - Makam in the Malayalam month of Meenam [Birthday od Devi] - 7 days Festival - 7th day Pongala


Official Website: http://www.karikkakomsreechamunditemple.org

Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. The 500-year-old Karikkakom temple has been deemed to be the seat of satyam (truth), dharmam (personal duty) and neethi (justice).
It is said that during the rule of Travancore Kings, people who were accused of various crimes pleaded their innocence before the presiding deity.


The idol of the deity inside the Karikkakom Temple in Trivandrum is made out of Panchaloha that means total five types of metals are involved in the creation of the idol. These are gold, copper, silver, lead and iron. 

Has joined the ranks of rare temples in the State that have a rajagopuram (royal tower). 63 Feet Hight - Labour Work - More than six years - Cost Around 2 Crores. A festival, `Rajagopuram Kumbabhishekam', was held recently to commemorate the event.The rajagopuram is a large pyramidal tower built at the entrance to the temple in accordance with the guidelines included in `Aintramatham', an authoritative text on the science of sculpture, says Sangameswaran, the temple sculptor. The five storeys, each with a pair of small cross-windows, represent panchentriya, the five senses of human beings.


Originally a family owned temple of Madathu Veedu in Karikakaam. Under the Karikkakom Chamundi Temple Trust around 10 years ago.


In Orkut:
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Temple Timings:
4:50AM - 11:50AM
4:30PM - 8:15 PM


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Hanuman Swamy Temple PMG

Location: PMG, Trivandrum  (Opposite of central stadium, Near Kerala  Legislative Assembly Complex) . 5 km from Central Railway Station and 8 km from Trivandrum International Airport.

Main Deity: Hanuman Swamy.

Other Deities: Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathy and Naga devatas and Yogeeswaran.

Officially known as O.T.C.  (Officers Training Camp) Hanuman Temple is 

one of the most visited Hanuman temples in Kerala.

First the idol was maintained by a Nair brigade when they were at Padmanabhapuram and when they shifted to Thiruvanathapuram in 19th Centuary (capital change time - First shifted to Kollam and later brought back to Thiruvananthapuram), this temple originated by installed  the idol at the temple. After the integration of the Travancore army with the Indian Forces, the temple is being maintained by the Indian Army.
The main vazhipadus are butter, vadamala and vettamala.

Presently the temple is administrated by Travancore Devaswom Board.

In Orkut:

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Sree Lakshmi Varaha Swamy Temple

Location: Chenthitta, Trivandrum - 1 kilometer from Padmanbha Swamy Temple. 1.5 km away from Trivandrum Central Railway Station.

Main Deity: Lord Varaha - Lordess Lekshmi sits on his lap.

Other Deities: Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Nagaraja.


Festivals: The aratt or annual festival of this temple is along with Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple aratt during the month of March-April. Varaha jayanthi also falls soon after aaratt in the month of March-April and celebrated in a grand manner in this temple.

Popularly known as Sree Varaham Temple.

Varaham is the third avatars of Lord Mahavishnu. One of few Varahar temple in Kerala. [Other main temples in Kerala are - Panniyur Sri VarahaMurthy Temple - located at Anakkara, Pallakad District and Shri Varaha Swamy Temple, Pannoor, Thodupuzha.]

The temple is constructed in typical Kerala style architecture the temple consists of Sreekovil, Chuttambalam and Nalambalam. The temple is located at the south west side of Fort.

The temple has a sacred pond near by temple. It is one of the largest theerthams (holy water) in the district. The important day is Thursday and special poojas are conducted on this day. 

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Sreekanteswaram Temple

Location: Sreekanteswaram, Near East fort, Trivandrum, 3 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Stand and 1 km from Sree padmanabha Swami Temple.

Main Deity: Lord Shiva.

Other Deities: Sree Mahaganapathy, Sree Dharmasastha,Sree Nagaraja,Sree Murukan,Sree Anjaneya and Sree Krishna 

Festivals: 'THIRUVATHIRA' star in the Malayalam month of Dhanu [considered the birthday of the Lord] - customarily the most important temple festival.

Shivarathri in the Malayalm month of Kumbham.

Dress Code: Like other shiva temples men can't wear shirt like any one inside the sreekovil.

Official Website: http://sreekanteswaramtemple.com/

Sreekanteswaram - temple of Lord Shiva, located south-west from the Old Sreekanteswaram temple. 

This temple has around 700 years old. The main idol faces east. Lord Shiva is in the form of Shiva lingam that faces on the east.

According to the popular legend, there was an old sweeper-maid who worked in Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple. She used to take rest after the work under the shade of a tree, keeping the broom and the pot called Kalayakkudam beside her. One day when she tried to lift the pot, it did not move and she tried to break the pot using a stone. All of a sudden, she found that the pot was bleeding. It is said that Lord Shiva gave darshan to the old lady in the form of Swayambhu Shiva Lingam.

The temple elephant called "Shivakumar" is ore than 45 years old and has a bull called "Neelakantan".  

Ruled by Travancore Devaswom Board.

Temple Timings:

3:30 AM - 12:00 PM

5:00 PM - 8:30  PM

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Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapthy Temple

Location: Eastfort, Trivandrum


Main Deity: Lord Ganapathy


Other Deities: Goddess Durga, Lord Ayyappa, Brahmarashashu and Nagaraja


Festival: Main Festivals - Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanthi, Varad Chaturti, and Sankashti Chathurthi


Special poojas are performed for other festival including Thiruvonam, Vijaya Dasami, Ayilyam, Sahasra Kalasam, Thirkkarththika, Thirvathira, Makara Vilakku, Maha Shivaratri, Vishu, Thriveda Laksharcchana, and Nira Puththari.


Dress Code: Inside Sreekovil male need to wear mundu. For female no dress code restrictions.


Official Website:


Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganapathy, is located at East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram. 


Pazhavangadi Mahaganapathy idol is entirely different from other Ganesh idols, as the right leg is in folded posture.First the idol was maintained by a Nair brigade when they were at Padmanabhapuram and when they shifted to Thiruvanathapuram, this temple originated by installed (prathista done)  the idol at the temple. After the integration of the Travancory army with the Indian Forces, the temple is being maintained by the Indian Army


Breaking of coconut is the main nivedyam (offering) at the temple. The rituals conducted are nityanidaanam, masavisesham, and attaviseshams. A bhajana mandapam is also attached. Devotees can also see beautiful paintings of the 32 forms of Lord Ganesh inside the temple complex.


The famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple is at a walking distance. Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple is 1.5 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station, and 8 km east of Trivandrum International Airport.


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Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Location: East fort, Trivandrum

Main Deity: Padmanabha Swamy

Other Deities: Agrashaala Ganapathi, Sree yoga narasimha moorthi, Thiruvambadi Sreekrishnaswamy, Sreesastha (Sree aathibhootha Nathan), Kshethra paalan, Agrashaala Ganapathi, Hanuman swamy, Garuda swamy, Sreeramaswamy with Seetha and Lekshmanan, Vishwaksenan, Sree Veeda Vyasar and Ashwathama

Festivals - There are two annual festivals here - one in the month of Pankuni (Pisces-Meenam) March 15-April14, and the other in Aippasi (Tulaa-Libra) (Oct-Nov).

Dress Code: Male Hindus must enter only dhoti or mundu (worn around the waist and going down up to the heels) and should not wear shirt of any kind. Female have to wear  sari, mundum neriyathum (set-mundu),  half sari or skirt and blouse. [Available at rent in temple - Now a days for convenience, temple authorities allow dhoti or churidhar over pants or churidhar]

Official Website: http://www.ananthasayanam.org

Also known as Sree Ananda Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

Thiruvananthapuram's most interesting temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. It is a best example of South Indian architecture, with an impressive seven -story gopuram (tower).A flagstaff encased in gold stands in the huge courtyard.It is known for its murals and carvings. In the main courtyard, the Kulashekara mandapam, there is some intricate granite sculpture and nearly 400 pillars are supporting the temple corridors. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) gets its name from the grand Anantapadmanabhaswamy temple, enshrining the tutelary deity - Anantapadmanabha of the Travancore kingdom. It is one of the grandest temples of Kerala. The temple is run by a trust headed by the royal family of travancore.

Some facts about Main Shrine:

Believe head at Thiruvallom, navel at Thiruvananthpuram and lotus-feet at Thiruppadapuram 18 ft long.

Can be viewed through three different doors - Head and chest are seen through the first door, hands can be sighted through the second door and the feet through the third floor.

Lekshmi Devi and Bhummi Devi in side.

Brahma is from the navel of the Lord.

Made from 12008 salagramams.

Covered with "Katusarkara yogam".

Temple Timings:
Morning
03.30 am to 04.45 am (Nirmalya Darshanam)
06.30 am to 07.00 am
08.30 am to 10.00 am 
10.30 am to 11.10 am
11.45 am to 12.00 Noon


Evening
05.00 pm to 06.15 pm
06.45 pm to 07.20 pm

In Orkut:

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Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Location: Attukal, Trivandrum, Distance of 2 kms from Eastfort, 5 kms from Thiruvanathapuram central railway station and and 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Main Deity: Attukal Devi

Other Deities: Shiva, Madan Thampuran, Ganapathy, Nagar

Most Important Festival: Ponkala Mahotsavam- Ten Day Celebrations - Month of Makaram - Kumbham (Feb - March) on the Karthika Star

Official Website: http://www.attukal.org

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all.

According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the famous heroine of Chilapathikaram, written by Elenkovadikal, the Tamil Poet.

The temple is governed by a registered body, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust.

The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place

The festival has gained international attention since it was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "largest annual gathering of women" in the world. The record was based on the number of pilgrims on 23 February 1997, when 1.5 million assembled to offer pongala to Attukal Devi. It is estimated that 3 million women attended the 2010 edition of the festival.

Temple Timings:
4:30 AM - 12:30 PM
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

References:

http://www.attukal.org

In Orkut:

http://www.orkut.com/Community?cmm=17555819

In FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Attukal-Devi-Temple/101576463267774

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