Kerala Temples

A major attraction for the devotees of Lord Krishna, the Guruvayoor Temple is popularly known as the Dwarka of South India. Situated in Guruvayur town of Thrissur district, this 5,000 years old temple holds the legend that Lord Brahma himself worshipped the idol of Lord Krishna there. Incidentally, Lord Krishna is referred to as Guruvayoorappan. The architecture of the temple is enriched with the Gopurams (gateways), Mandaps and subsidiary shrines. The walls of the main shrine are garnished with exotic paintings and elaborate illustrations. Certain festivals like Mandalam, Ulsavam, Chembai Music Festival are celebrated in a ceremonious ways in this temple.

The very name of this temple finds recognition in almost anywhere in India. One of the most note worthy among all the Sastha Temples, Sabrimala is located in the Sahyadri Mountains in Kerala. Basically a worship center for Lord Ayyappa, this shrine holds the legend that the great sage Parashurama rescued Kerala from the sea and installed the idol of the Lord there. Sabrimala Temple is flooded with devotees during the months of November to January as Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku is celebrated in that period. Otherwise the temple is not open to general public for the rest of the year barring the first five days of the Malayalam month and Vishu.