Temples in Trivandrum for an Enticing Pilgrimage

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands tall in the Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala in its decadent gold-plated glory. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the principal centres of worship in the dharma of Vaishnavism. Divya Desams are the holy abodes of the great Lord Vishnu, and the temple worships Lord Padmanabha- a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. This divine temple is one of the very few temples in India where the entrance is only granted to people that practice the Hindu faith.

Adding to the historical significance and cultural diversity of the little yet vibrant city of Karikkakom is the Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple which is over 600 years old. This ancient temple is actually set in dense green environs with the tall lush palms enveloping it from all sides. The Karikkakom Devi is a Hindu temple that enshrines Goddess Chamundi. However, the distinctive peculiarity of this temple is that it worships all the three forms of Goddess Chamundi- Maha Chamundi, Rakhta Chamundi and Bala Chamundi.

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrum is one of the most talked about temples of not just the south, but the entire country. Among the many reasons for its popularity, probably the most eye-catching one is that it received a Guinness World Book record when over 37 lakh women offered pongala at this temple at once, making it the destination of the largest gathering of women for a religious activity!

Aazhimala Siva Temple in Kazhivoor has been attracting a throng of ardent Shiva devotees as well as fascinated tourists for decades now. 'Aazhi' translates to Sea and 'Mala' means Hill- and the temple has been named so because it rests right on the golden shore of the Arabian sea on a slightly elevated platform. The Aazhimala Siva Temple, as the name suggests, is devoted to the great Lord Shiva. Since Tuesday is considered to be an auspicious day by Shiva's devotees, every Tuesday, hoards of the lord's disciples come to seek his blessings at this temple.

Being one of the most popular Ganesh temples of the south, the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple holds a special place in the hearts of the locals and the ardent devotees of Lord Ganesh. The devotees who visit this temple are overcome with the tranquil calm and relentless peace of the magically pious atmosphere. They say that Lord Ganesh fulfils the deepest wishes and fixes the stubbornest problems of his devotees who visit him at the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.

Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Thottam, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala dedicated to Goddess Durga. Other deities include Lord Ganesha, Nagraja and Navgraha. One of the most ancient temples of Kerala, it is surrounded by beautiful ponds on two sides. In fact, the temple got its name from these ponds. Painkuni Mahotsavam is an annual festival celebrated in the temple usually in the month of April. Other festivals celebrated within the temple are Mandala Vratham, Vavu Bali and Pooja Vaypu.

Vellayani Temple is Hindu temple located near the Vellayani Lake, Kalliyur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the temple is made up of stones and bronze with carvings on walls and ceilings. The temple is famous for celebrating the longest non-pilgrimage festival of South India, Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam. The festival is around 56-60 days long and is celebrated once every three years. The temple also houses Lord Ganesha, Goddess Kali and Nagraja as sub-deities and celebrates various other festivals such as Pongal, Kalamkaval, Nilathil Poru and many more.

The Mithranandapuram Trimurti Temple is a Hindu Temple complex situated in Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The temple has Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma as its primary deities. Built around 1168 AD, its architecture follows the Dravidian style. The complex houses separate temples for the three deities Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Nagraja, Lord Brahma and Lord Ganesha along with shrines for Nagraja and Lord Ganesha. The temples are known for celebrating Maha Shivratri and Ashtimi Rohini very religiously. The temple also celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi.

The Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram temple is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva located in the district of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). The prime deities of the temple are Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple is believed to have existed in the 9th century. The linga in the temple was installed by Sree Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple also houses the idol of Lord Krishna, and is believed to reduce the ferocity of Lord Shiva. There is also an idol of Lord Ganesha with serpents. There is also a famous pond in the vicinity of the temple which has great historical importance to Hindus.

Dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, a fierce form of Goddess Kali, the Udiyanoor Devi Temple is located in Maruthumkuzhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Established in 1975, the temple also houses Yakshi Amma, Ganapati and Thampuran, along with the Shrine of Goddess Chamundi. The main festival celebrated at the temple is Makam Thozhal Festival in the month of Meenam. This is usually in the month of March-April. The temple is open from 4:30 am to 8:30 pm in the evening everyday.

The Valiyasala Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest Trimurti temples located in the district of Trivandrum. The temple was built on the ground of an old university, the Kanthalloor Sala. The prime deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, also housing the idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Lord Ganpathy, Goddess Durga and Lord Subramanya. The Valiyasala Mahadeva temple hosts their annual festival which lasts for around 10 days where devotees come from all over the country to worship and offer their prayers to the ancient Trimurti.

Gandhari Amman Kovil is a Shakti temple dedicated to Goddess Gandhari Amman. It is located between Statue Junction and Pulimoodu, about 1.5 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station. The temple also has shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Nagarajan and Lord Manthramoorthi. The main festival celebrated at the temple is Chithra Poornima, which is celebrated in the month of May. The temple sees a large number of devotees every day and is popular for giving salvation to its devotees.

The Pazhanchira Devi Temple, believed to be over 700 years old and built by a Siddhayogi, stands between Ambalathara and Paravankunnu, approximately 3 km from the city center in Thiruvananthapuram. Acknowledged as a monument of National Importance in India, the temple hosts an annual festival in March-April, featuring celebrations for Navratri and Mahanavami. The temple's significant ritual, the Aiswarya Malaxmi Pooja held daily at 5 pm, draws devotees worldwide seeking blessings for healing and family well-being.

The Sasthamangalam Mahadevar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, boasts a history of over 700 years and is situated in Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Hosting a major festival lasting 10 days from December to January, culminating in the Aarattu ceremony, the temple is a grand celebrant of Thiruvathira Star Day and Shivaratri. Nestled on a hill, the temple provides a spiritual retreat with shrines for Lord Ganesha, Dharma Sastha, and the revered idols of the seven divine mothers, conveniently accessible by bus at a distance of 5 km from the railway station and 9 km from the airport.