Religious Places in Kerala For A Glorious Spiritual Journey

Known For : Guruvayur Temple Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace Mammiyoor Shiva Temple

A small town in the district of Thrissur, Guruvayoor is most famous for the Guruvayoor Temple- India's third largest temple housing Lord Krishna. One of the most sacred religious place in Kerala, this temple is believed to be one of the 108 most divine Vishnu temples in the world.

Best Time: October to February

12 Guruvayur Attractions

Known For : Ayyappa Temple Makaravilakku Malikkappuram Devi Temple

More than 30 million pilgrims visit the temple in Sabarimala annually, making it the largest in India and second largest in the world, after Hajj Pilgrimage of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. People believe that Vishnu's incarnate Parasurama placed the Ayyappa Idol at the top of the mountain. However, women of age 12-50 years, during an active menstrual cycle were not allowed until recently inside this religious place in Kerala due to strict traditions. Women are now required to wear conservative attire while visiting this temple.

Best Time: September to Apr

6 Sabarimala Attractions

Known For : Perunthenaruvi Waterfall Gavi Thriveni Sangamam

Pathanamthitta, in southern Kerala, is a town immersed in spirituality and mysticism. Blessed with several ancient temples, it is renowned as headquarters of pilgrimage in Kerala as Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district. It is a land of untouched beauty awash with pristine rivers, lofty mountain ranges and sprawling coconut groves.

Best Time: September to February

16 Pathanamthitta Attractions

Known For : Padmanabhaswamy Temple Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Attukal Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy temple (also known as Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple) in Trivandrum is a must-visit religious place of Kerala. Located in the heart of the city, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and stands out for its striking mix of Keralan and Dravidian style architecture, showcasing a sublime artistic temperament. The 18-feet high idol of Lord Vishnu is awe-inspiring, and tourists throng this temple all year round to seek the blessings of and pay their respects to Lord Vishnu. Other famous temples in this state capital include the Attukal Bhagawati temple, the Aazhimala Siva Temple, the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, and the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.

Best Time: October to February

38 Trivandrum Attractions

Known For : Vagamon Falls Kurisumala Vagamon Lake

1100 meters above sea, far way from the loud city culture, lush greenery and serenity to gift every visitor, Vagamon could be your quiet offbeat hill station in Kerala away from maddening tourist crowds.

Best Time: October - March

20 Vagamon Attractions

Known For : St Angelo Fort Payyambalam Beach Kannur Lighthouse

Cradled in the lap of nature, right in the middle of God's own country, Kannur is a place that you will find sprinkled with beauty. Fondly known as Cannanore, this beautiful town is bundled with a plethora of sightseeing options like beaches, monuments, ancient temples and mesmerizing picnic spots.

Best Time: October to March

36 Kannur Attractions

Known For : Vadakummnathan temple Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple Basilica of Our Lady of Dolores

Officially known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur is famous for fostering classical Keralan performing arts, religious sites and the renowned Onam festival, Thrissur Pooram festival and Vadakkumnathan Temple.

Best Time: October - February; April, May

50 Thrissur Attractions

Known For : Kottathavalam Nadukani Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple

Culturally rich and naturally enchanting, Kottayam is a destination in Kerala offering a complete package for a perfect vacation. It is an ancient religious place of Kerala located on a hilltop bordered with tantalizing Western Ghats on east and green paddy fields and thrilling Vembanad Lake on the west. A popular Hindu shrine and a great epitome of Kerala style of architecture, Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was established in the 16th century by the king of Thekkumkur.

Best Time: September to February

31 Kottayam Attractions

Known For : Thevally Palace Amritapuri Mahatma Gandhi Beach and Park

Steeped in rich past, entangled with a unique culture and attributed with nature divine, Kolam lies on the southwest coast of India and has many more hidden treasures troves to be explored. As per the history of Kollam, Karunagapally is an old Buddhist site. A Buddhist bhikshu named Karinagan lived in Karunagapally, and since it is situated on the bank of Pallikkal River, it got this name.

Best Time: September to February

41 Kollam Attractions

Known For : Ponnani Juma Masjid Padinharekara Beach Thrikkavu Temple

A small beach town located in the Malappuram District of Kerala is mainly renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches. Flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west, Ponnani is also referred to as small 'Mecca' of South India. It is dotted with several Muslim institutions, Jama Masjid, established in 925, making it one of the religious places in Kerala for Muslims.

Best Time: October to March

10 Ponnani Attractions

Known For : Bharathapuzha River Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary Keraladeshpuram Temple

Located on NH213, 50 kms southeast of Kozhikode and being a one-time headquarters of British troops, Mallappuram is replete with colonial history. Malappuram is a hill-town famous for its Juma Masjid and temples. Malappuram Juma Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala. Besides, Shanthitheeram - a riverside park the Kottakkunu - known as the marine drive of Malappuram is famous for its open-air theatre, art gallery & themed water parks.

Best Time: July to March

21 Malappuram Attractions

Known For : Mahe, Thalaserry Dharmadan Thuruth Thalassery Fort

Fondly known as Tellichery, Thalassery is a coastal town of Kerala nestled at the shore of Arabian Sea. Sree Jagannath Temple in Thalassery is a renowned religious place in Kerala on the coast of Malabar. Consecrated by Sree Narayan Guru in 1908 to abolish the social evil of caste system, the rituals at Jagannath Temple are conducted by Non-Brahmins. Jagannath Temple was opened to Harijans in the 1920s, while many temples in the country still deny entry to Scheduled Castes and tribes. The main deity here is Lord Shiva.

Best Time: October to March

17 Thalaserry Attractions

Known For : Karapuzha Dam Kanthanpara Waterfalls Shopping in Kalpetta

Kalpetta is a quaint town with a backdrop of majestic hills lurking in the shadows, lush green surroundings, fresh air and picturesque beauty. Thirunelly Temple in Kalpetta is an ancient temple established about 3000 years ago. Situated in Wayanad, it is known for its incredible architecture adorned with 30 granite columns. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and lies near a Panchatheertha pond. Other major attractions near the temple are Banasura Sagar dam and Pookot Lake.

Best Time: October to March

20 Kalpetta Attractions

Known For : Palakkad Fort Silent Valley National Park Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

The quaint twee town of Palakkad boasts of picturesque landscape, tranquil scenery and clear backwaters. It is also a religious place in Kerala with a more than 500 years old temple, the Jain Temple at Jainimedu. The temple is well known for its granite walls which are 32 feet long and 20 feet wide. Located on the south banks of River Kalpathy, this ancient temple is enshrined with the images of Jain Tirthankaras and Yakshinis.

Best Time: July to March

37 Palakkad Attractions

Known For : Ranipuram Malom Wildlife Sanctuary Ananthapura Lake temple

Kasargod is a small town lying on the sea-coast displaying a delightful blend of various religions, culture and bounty of nature. It is home to the Ananthapura Lake Temple with the holy shrine of Ananthapadmanabhan Swami. It is believed that Ananthapadmanabhan settled down here first and then moved to Thiruvananthapuram through a cave which lies to the right-hand side corner of the lake. The cave is said to be a natural structure that separates Ananthapura and Thiruvananthapuram and therefore, these two temples retain the name of the same deity making this a stunning religious place in Kerala to visit.

Best Time: September to January

29 Kasargod Attractions