#Temple #KeralaTemples

I thought of writing about few temples I visit in Kerala quite regularly. Some of them are famous and others not so. These are my experiences from travels and just captures my view.

All the temples below are in and around Guruvayoor Sri Krishna temple

1. Nelluvayi Dhanwanthari Kshetram

Loc: Between Wadakkanchery - Kunnamkulam, From Pattambi, there is a direct road which ends at this temple

Temple dedicated to the god of medicine, Dhanwanthari. The main moorthi is of Krishna, with some legends dating back to Dwapara yuga

Many traditional sevas are available as in other temples There is a medicinal concoction called Mukkudi which is made daily.

One important seva is Vennecharth i.e. covering idol with butter. There is a huge waiting list for it running into years. Do visit this magnificent temple

2. Kakkad (Kakkat) Sree Mahaganapathy Kshetram

Loc: Kunnamkulam bus stand (8 kms from Guruvayoor)

This is one of my family deities (there is a ton of confusion nowadays). This is one of the most famous Ganesha temples in this nick of neighborhood.

An interesting trivia is that Kalamandalam was supposed to have started here before it moved to Cheruthurthy.

One legend I have heard is that Kerala Astrologers (Pannickers) come here and pray god before they start their profession. A wonderful temple to visit.

3. Thriprayar Sree Rama Kshetram

Loc: 24 Kms from Guruvayoor

A wonderful Sree Rama temple with legend dating back to Dwapara yuga. One of the most serene temples with Sree rama as the presiding deity.

Many people wait for the prasadam lunch which is quite famous here..

4. Koodalmanickyam Sangameshwara temple

Loc: 41 Kms from Guruvayoor

One of the rare temples dedicated to Bharatha (Rama's brother), part of Nalambalam along with Thriprayar. The main deity is Vishnu also termed as Sangameshwara.

5. Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple

Loc: 56 Kms from Guruvayoor

One of the most powerful deities I worship and pray to on a daily basis. Bhagavathy in this temple is world famous as twaritha as one who gives instant blessings. There is also a connect with Adi Sankara too

However, the most important offering in this temple is Muttarukkal which translates to "Remove the obstacles".

A coconut with name and nakshatra is given to the priest. It's broken in front of the god. If it breaks correctly, obstacle is removed.

If the coconut doesn't break evenly, one more coconut is tried and process repeats until the obstacle is gone. The queue for this seva runs into hours and one needs to be up and ready quite early in the day for this seva.

Do visit this temple on your next trip to kerala

6. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Kshetram

Loc: ~ 50 Kms from Guruvayoor

A very famous Bhadrakali temple with a Ugra devathe who literally towers over you. As with many temples, this has a connect with Parashurama with a legend of him installing the idol.

I would recommend visiting this temple at 4.30 am in the morning for the first darshan of the day. A majestic mother in all resplendent glory, it does bring an awe to the devotee

I am skipping Chottanikara temple as it was discussed some days ago. Hope you liked this thread

Link to Chottanikara thread : https://twitter.com/GunduHuDuGa/status/1281618105240674305

Kadampuzha Bhagavathy: https://www.kadampuzhadevaswom.com/legend-concise 

Kodungallur, Thriprayar, Koodalmanikyam are available on Wiki.