ANNAMALAI TEMPLE
1800-year old temple has Chola style architecture. The deity is Shiva. The ancient structure is intact despite modifications and renovations carried out later. A window with nine lattices representing Navagrahas (nine planets), and another widow with five lattices representing Pancha Bhoothas (five devil elements) deserve pointed attention. The idols and lamps are carved from stone and metal, dating back to 14th century. A stepwell always holding water (even in drought condition) is considered sacred. The temple once managed by a private trust is now under the control of Archaeological Survey of India for its historic importance. Important relics of the temple are kept in the museums of Thrissur and Kozhikode.Sri Krishnaswamy Temple: The temple is situated on the river bank in Thodupuzha. During the travelling in the region by an ascetic he had a vision of Lord Krishna. Hearing of the event, the king of Keezhmalainad constructed a temple at the spot where the ascetic had the vision.The annual festival called Chothiyoothu Utsavam held in Meenam (March/April) is very popular.
URAVAPPARA TEMPLE
The temple is located at Olamattom. It is dedicated to Subramanya Swami. The temple is also known as Malayali Palani. Palani in Tamil Nadu is famous for its Subramanya Swami temple. The legend behind Uravappara temple is that Pandavas camped here during their exile. There are three big boulders here which were supposed to be the three legs of Aduppu (stove) of their kitchen. No water was there and the Pandavas were in dire need of it. At this moment Bhima created an indentation with his foot on the rock, resulting emergence of the water. The pond thus created is known as Uravappara and is still there.
SREE KRISHNA SWAMI TEMPLE, THODUPUZHA
Located at Thodupuzha in the northern side of Thodupuzha river. The deity is Srikrishna. Sub-deities are Bhagawathy, Ganapathy, Shiva and Nagam. The temple is owned by the famous Nedumbilly Mana of Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. This Mana (Namboodiri/Brahmin family) has the right for conducting Thantric rites in the famous Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram.There is an exciting legend behind the deity. A village named Lakshmi was very rich in Vedic scholars, artists and variety of eminent personalities. A boy with abundant Vedic knowledge from an eminent Brahmin family opted for Sanyasam (monkism).This was well before the time of Sri Sankaracharya. He reportedly travelled throughout India. During his travel he reached Thodupuzha and meditated upon Lord Krishna. It is at the meditated spot the temple stands. During the meditation he visioned Lord Krishna splitting the peck of an Owl when it attempted to swallow the Lord. He opened the eyes after finishing the meditation and to his utter surprise and excitement the Lord Krishna was standing before him. Soon, the Lord disappeared. The Sanyasi (monk) lit a lamp at the place where the Lord was standing and worshipped.During this period Keezhmalanadu King visited the place and he came to know what had happened. The King soon constructed a temple.There are striking contrasts in the ritual practiced here. In all the temples the first action after opening the sanctum sanctorum is the removal of flower garlands of previous day. The ceremonial bathing follows. Thereafter Abhishekam and Usha Pooja followed. Here Usha Pooja is done first and Abhishekam followed thereafter.There is a Nilapaduthara (holy platform) in front of the temple. The Nilapaduthara has great importance in the temple because the idol was received by the monk standing on this platform. The idol without any ornaments or festivities is brought to the platform during the festivals and is taken back garlanded and with percussion musics and other festivities.Owl and Pigeon are the main offerings to the deity.
MANGALA DEVI TEMPLE
Located 15 km from Thekkady, this ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day in April.
SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE
The temple is located at munnar and it is dedicated to lord subrahmanya. The annual festival known as thirkkarthika utasavam.
TEMPLES IN MALAPPURAM
KOTTAKKAL TEMPLE
Kottakkal is a village in Malappuram District in Kerala, south India. It is an Eranadan village located 12 km south-west of Malappuram, the district head quarters, and 12km from Tirur. Kottakkal is one of the oldest Panchayath in Kerala, and is known for its ayurvedic institute, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, as well as its temple festival, Kottakkal pooram, celebrated over seven days during during March-April.
THIRUMANDHAMKUNNU TEMPLE
Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is located at Thirumandhamkunnu in Malappuram District. The temple stands on a 60 ft high hillock and has an imposing appearance. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
The idol is made of Daru (wood) and is about six feet high. The deity is seen in a sitting posture with the left leg on her lap and the right hanging as usual and touching the ground. She holds the head of Darika in one hand and weapons in her other seven hands giving a fierce appearance. Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavati is considered the elder sister of Kodungallur Bhagavati.
The specialty of the Thirumandhamkunnu temple lies in its many rituals and conventions, which are not carried out at other temples. These include Kalam pattu for six months from November to April and eleven days Pooram festival starting on Makayiram asterism in Meenam month (March – April.)
Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temple. Angadipuram Tali temple is in the vicinity. The Mankada kovilakam, 8 km away on Manjeri Road, is also another place of interest nearby. Chaverthara nearby is a commemoration for the martyrs of Mamankam. Puthanangadi Mosque, which has Arabic inscriptions engraved on one of its planks, is an added attraction of Angadipuram.
ANGADIPURAM TEMPLE
The Angadipuram temple is located in the Malappuram District of Kerala. It is in the Perinthalmanna Taluk.
Located in Malappuram District of Kerala, this historical temple, steeped in legend, has been attracting devotees from all over the state. The temple itself is built upon a small hill, with a stunning view of Kerala's countryside for miles around.
The deity is the Goddess Bhadrakali, an avatar of the Goddess Durga, Goddess of strength.The Temple is known for its special ceremonies, which involve all the communities of the region, starting from the Valluvanad Rajas right up to the tribal population. The gory dance of the Komarams, the colourful kalampattu of the Kurups and the annual Pooram, with elephant parades, fireworks and cultural meets, all make this temple a meeting point for the cultural spirit of the region.
NAVAMUKUNDAN TEMPLE , THIRUNAVAYA
Located at Thirunavaya. This 6000-year old temple is known as Kashi of the South. The deity of the temple, on the banks of Bharatapuzha, is Lord Vishnu. It is very famous and popular for the performance of last rites for the departed. The temple became ideal for the rites as Bharatapuzha flows over the temple steps, making it very convenient to flow the rites’ remains in the water. The exquisite sculptures carved around sanctum sanctorum are splendid. Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu are carved on the top row against the wall as below the slopped roof. Just below the row sculptures depicting Lord Shiva, in his kirata (tribal) avatar, blessing Arjuna with Pashupati Astra neatly placed.
There is a structure left side of the gate which was built for the Samuthiri (Zamorin) kings to watch the cultural mega event called Mamankam once in every 12-year on the sprawling banks of Bharatapuzha. The Mamankam was originally initiated at Ponnani port as a trade fair. The event used to witness by all the rulers under Samuthiri. The people of Malappuram insist that the Mamankam was originated by a Valluvanad king who ruled that region and the Samuthiri was in fact wresting the right to conduct it. The rivalry between the two was a historical fact. There is a stage called Nilapadu Thara where the Samuthiri used to sit. His soldiers used to position around him. Valluvanadu king on his part will send his soldiers to challenge Samuthiri. The fight always was a losing one to the king. To humiliate the king, bodies of the soldiers were dumped into a well nearby. When the well overfilled with corpses an elephant was ordered to foot them down. Today this notorious well is known as Mani Kinar (Kinar in Malayalam means Well). The remains of Nilapadu Thara is reduced to a slab of stone which too is not noticeable as the weeds rest on it.
GARUDA TEMPLE
Located at Taripangode in Chamravattom Road. This is the only temple in India dedicated to Garuda, the carrier of Vishnu. The temple set in picturesque surroundings also accommodates a rare shrine in which Vishnu is worshipped in his Koorma (tortoise) avatar positure. The temple is ornated by golden snakes around it, presenting an impressive sight.
KADAMPUZHA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE
Kadampuzha literally should mean Kadam river. The fact is otherwise; there is no river at all. The deity here is goddess Durga, who, it is believed possesses immense curative and rewarding powers. Besides thousands of pilgrims coming daily to seek blessings, hundreds of new vehicles too come here to seek blessings to ward off mishaps during their life in the roads. The idol placed in the sanctum santorum, below several stairs, is small and always flower covered.
The temple has a guest house for the convenience of devotees coming from far away places. There is a dormitory for which the charge is very nominal, Rs 20. There are ten double rooms (Rs 200), 6 deluxe rooms (Rs 350) and 2 suites (Rs 500).
Though the temple is very famous all over Kerala, there is no major festival. The only festival, if it is a festival, is on Karthika day of Malayalam month Vrichikam (November-December). During this day there is Annadhanam (food gifting) to over 10000 devotees.
SASTHA TEMPLE
Devotees consider this temple as an extension of the famous Sastha Temple at Chamravattom (Malappuram District). According to anecdotes Lord Sastha of Chamravattom followed one of his Priests from Morakkala Mana who had shifted to Tripunithura. Lord Sastha assumed the form of a lizard and came with the priest comfortably by sitting on his traditional umbrella made up of palm leaves. Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharmasastha is considered as the incarnation of Lord Danwanthari and this is the only one temple in Tripunithura with Dharmasastha as main deity. Besides Dharmasastha devotees also worship Lord Ganesha and Bhadrakali along with Nagaraja and Brahmasrakshas.
When you come to the temple a huge banyan tree receives you with a pleasing breeze created by its shivering silvery leaves. There is a clean well maintained fresh water pond which spread over more than one third of the total area of the temple precinct. A Nadappura with a traditional flag post adds the beauty of the temple structure.
PULAMANTHOLE SRI RUDRA DHANWANTHARI TEMPLE
The temple is located at Pulamanthole. The deity is Sree Rudra Dhanvanthari. The temple is ancient to 3500 years.
Initially the temple was known as Pulamanthole Shiva temple when the deity was Shiva. Later on the deity of Dhanwanthari was added. Thereafter the temple came to be known in the present name. There is an interesting legend behind it.
The temple was constructed by Ashtavaidya Pulamanthole Mooss family as their family shrine. The Pulamanthole Mooss family was and is very famous in the Dhanwanthari wing of Ayurveda science. The Maharaja of Travancore was inflicted by a severe stomach pain. The treatment given by many famed physicians gave no relief. As an ultimate source for cure the King sent messengers to Pulmanthole Mana. When the message for treatment received only a lady and his child were in the Mana. Upanayanam (a hereditary ceremony before initiating to the ancient science of Ayurveda in ancient families) was not yet done by the boy. The mother and son were upset as to what to do. The mother finally told the messengers that his son will come after completing 12 days Bhajana (prayers) in their family temple and advised the son to start the prayers. A Sanyasi (monk) appeared before the boy on the 12th night and gave 3 tablets and assured him that these tablets will cure the King. The Sanyasi further added that he should not accept any of the gifts offered by the cured happy King. Instead, request the King to allow to take the idol of Dhanwanthari lying in the Tamarapani River and install the same at the left side of the idol of Shiva and build a shrine for it, the Sanyasi added. The Sanyasi was the manifestation of Shiva and disappeared soon.
There are only few Ashtavaidya families in Kerala. Pulamanthole Mana has a prominent position amongst them. This wing of the Ayurveda science is extant in Kerala from ancient times. Karnatic Music Emperor, Sree Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was once severally inflicted by paralysis. He tried many physicians, from different branches of health science, but proved futile. Ultimately he was cured by Pulamanthole Mooss. The Nadapura (sheltered pathway) of the temple was built by the Bhagavathar as an offering.
The people believe and testify that all ailments can be cured with the blessings of Lord Dhanwanthari. Many devotees throng to the temple daily with offerings.
ALATHIYUR PERUMTHRIKOVIL TEMPLE
The temple is situated at Alathiyur, near Tirur. The temple has a glorious past of 3000 years. It was said to have been consecrated and raised by Sage Vasishta. The deity is Hanuman.
The main deity however is Sri Rama for which there is a separate shrine adjacent to the shrine of Hanuman. In almost all temples of Rama, Sita is also seen, but not here
VELLAMMASERI GARUDAN KAVU
The only one Garuda Temple in India is situated in Malappuram district in Kerala near Tirur, which is known as Vellamassery Garudan Kavu Temple. Very near to it there is a Mahavishnu Temple in Koormavathara form. This Garuda Temple is about 1800 years old. Worshipping here is mainly meant for easy recovery from diseases and for relief from serpent poisons. All Sundays are important here especially the 41 days of Mandalakalam (From November 16th to December 28th).
To the Hindus, Garuda is the Lord without beginning and without end. He is born and eternal in the true sense God incarnation. He is adorned and worshipped as supreme Lord.
According to our epics and legends prevailing in the local area, this is the only temple of Garuda in his flying form in this country. The idols here have been shown their own special features.