 Sivagiri
Temple
The 'Sivagiri
Mutt' is a 'Ashram' founded by the great Hindu reformer and philosopher, Sri Naravana
Guru. Even decades after the Guru breathed his last here in 1928 AD, his 'Samadhi'
(restling place) continues to be thronged by thousands every year. The 'Sivagiri
Pilgrimage' is conducted between December 30 and January 1.
The
Mutt is also the headquarter of the 'Sri Narayana Dharma Sangham', a religious
organisation established by the Guru to propagate his concept of 'One Caste, One
Religion, One God'. The Sarada Temple and Sivagiri Mutt set in picturesque hill
of Sivagiri near Varkala have now become a place of pilgrimage with great fanfare.
Colourful processions,
debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group
wedding, rituals all mark the celebrations in Sivagiri hills.
Sri
Narayana Guru was one of the greatest social reformers of India and a contemporary
of Mahatma Gandhi. His call for equality among people found a great following.
His
teachings have had a profound effect on the caste-ridden society of Kerala and
helped the state achieve great social progress when compared to the other states
of India. Founded many ashrams, the most important being at Sivagiri near Kollam.
Location : At Varkala, 51 Kms North of Thiruvananthapuram
Thirunavaya
Temple
Thiruvanaya Navamukunda Temple, near Ponnani in Malappuram district
is situated on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha. Holding immense historical
importance, this is the place where 'Mamangam', a grand assembly of the rulers
of Kerala was held here once every 12 years, in olden times. This
extravagant festival was held for the last time in 1755 AD. Today, Thirunavaya
temple is also a famous pilgrim centre.
Fairs
& Festivals : The ten-day annual festival at the Thirunavaya Navamukunda
Temple, dedicated to Navamukunda (Lord Vishnu), begins with Kodiyettam and concludes
with Arattu. The last three days are the most auspicious. Classical art forms
like Krishnanattom, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam etc., are performed during the festival
nights.
Location
: Near Ponnani, Kerala
Deity : Lord Vishnu
Thirunelli
Temple
Located
30 kms north west of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad district, Thirunelli Temple is
known as the "Kashi of South". Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills,
Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu,
the temple is an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine
and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.
The
'Koothambalam' here is one of the best in the State and rare paintings adorn the
temple walls. Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing
powers to absolve the soul of all its sins is situated nearby.
Location
: 30 Kms North-East Of Mananthavadi, Kerala
Deity : Lord
Vishnu
Attraction : The Koothambalam
Pundareekapuram
Temple
Pundareekapuram
is a small temple atop a small hill called Midayikunnam near Thalayolapparambu,
in Kottayam District. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu mounted on his
vehicle Garuda. The temple at Pundareekapuram is famous for its Mural Collection.
Considered
to be amongst the best in Kerala, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is decorated
with the murals depicting scenes from the Hindu epics and puranas. The Mural Paintings
depict the frolics of Krishna and other scenes from Hindu epics.
Location
: Near Thalayolaparambu on the kottayam- Vaikom route, Kerala. |
