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| Festival
in Cheraman Juma Masjid , Kodungallur |
This
mosque resembles a Hindu temple in appearance
and located 2 km from Kodungalloor town.
Built in 629 AD, this is the first mosque
in India and the second in the world
where Juma prayers were started. People
from far and near irrespective of caste
and creed visit this holy place and
pay their homage . Ramsan and Bhakrid
are celebrated here on a grand scale. |
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| Aarattupuzha
Temple, Aarattupuzha |
This temple,
dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located 14 Kms from
Trichur. The annual festival, lasting seven days
is known as Aarattupuzha Pooram. On the
fifth day, the Thidampu is taken out in
procession on elephant - back, accompanied by
eight elephants and drummers. The
sixth day of the festival is marked by the grand
Pooram, when 61 elephants line - up in the temple
grounds providing a spectacular sight. The festival
concludes with Aarattu ( Holy bath).
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| Peruvanam
Mahadeva Temple, Peruvanam |
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This
temple, dedicated to Lord Siva, is 12 kms away
from Trichur. Sprawling over a large area, this
temple is a classic example of Kerala temple architecture.
The Sanctum Sanctorum attracts special attention
for its intricate carvings. The other building,
Nalambalam, is adorned by thousands of oil lamps
that are lit during the festival. The annual festival
of the temple is celebrated only for a day.
Villagers throng the temple in enthusiasm. By
evening, elephant processions from neighboring
temples assemble at this temple. There is a spectacular
display of about thirty gorgeously decorated elephants.
The traditional percussion music, Panchari melam
and Pandimelam, performed by the drummers excite
every one. |
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| Koorkancherry Sree Maheswara
Temple, Koorkancherry |
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The presiding
deity of this temple, located 2 kms from Trichur,
is Lord Siva. The Siva idol at this temple was
installed by Sree Narayana Guru, the famous religious
& social reformer.The festival of this temple
is known as " Thypooya Maholsavam" and
the celebrations last for seven days. The main
attraction of the festival is the colourful performance
of "Kavadiyattam". On the last
day of the celebration, the 'Kavadiyattam procession
starts in the morning, with ten sets of
'Kavadis', each set comprising 30 'Ambalakavadis'
and 60 Pookavadis'. Ambalakavadi is
a decorated model of the temple. Pookavadi
is bow-shaped and the performer carrying the kavadi
dances to the rhythm of music. |
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| Kodungalloor
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple |
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This is a very famous temple. Goddess Bhagavathi is
the presiding deity. The idol of Bhagawati is
huge with eight hands, wielding weapons. Besides
the presiding deity, there are many other deities
installed in various parts of this sprawling temple
complex. Of the two main festivals, Thalapoli
and Bharani, the latter is the most important
one. Thalapoli is a colourful festival
that lasts four days. On all the four days, Ezunnallathu
with 9 elephants is held in the evening. The Bharani
festival attracts the largest congregation of
Oracles (Velichappadu), both men and women, from
all over the state. Dressed in yellow and smeared
in turmeric powder with their bell - studded waist
belts and swords, they create an eerie atmosphere,
totally out of this world. These oracles get into
a frenzy and cut their forehead to offer blood
to the deity. Cultural performances are a part
of the festival. |
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| Sree
Rudhira Mahakali Kavu ( Uthralikavu) Vadakancherry |
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This
temple is located high on the hills at Parithipara,
2 kms from Vadakancherry on the Shornur route.
The annual festival " Uthralikavu Pooram"
is one of the most famous festivals in Central
Kerala. Grand elephant processions add colour
to the festival. On the last day, 21 majestically
decorated elephants line up to the rhythmic
accompaniment of Panchavadyam and Pandimelam.
The elephants go around the shrine, accompanied
by thousands of devotees. The atmosphere gets
charged with their spiritual chantings.The elephant
parade is repeated at night under the flames of
Theevetti and it lasts till dawn. Many
religious and cultural art forms are performed
as part of the festival. |
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| Avittathur
Siva Temple, Avittathur |
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This majestic
temple is thousand - year old. Dedicated to Lord
Siva, this temple is just 4 kms from Irinjalakuda.
The outer wall of
the temple shrine has beautiful paintings depicting
scenes from the epics. The wood carvings
on the ceilings are classic examples of Kerala
woodcraft. The
annual festival, Utsavam lasts 10 days
and it is celebrated in splendour. Devotees throng
the temple in thousands during the festival. The
Thidampu Ezhunnallathu (Royal outing of
the deity) is the most important feature of the
festival. Ezhunnallathu is on the 9th day
and the festival concludes on the 10th day with
the Aarattu. The cultural fare includes music
concerts and several other performances of art.
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| Sree
Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor |
| Guruvayoor
is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations
in South India. It is well connected by rail and
road to Trichur and hence to the rest of the country.
Guruvayoor enshrines the youthful form of Krishna.
This is a temple rich in legend, tradition and festivals. |
Legend has it that Guru
- the preceptor of Gods (Brihaspati)
and Vaayu the wind
God established this temple. Legend
has it that this image was originally
worshipped by Bhrama
and gifted to Vishnu
who retained it with him at Dwarka during
his Krishnavataram.
At the brink of destruction of Dwarka,
Krishna instructed Uddhava to seek Vayu's
and Guru's help to find a safe haven
for the image. Accordingly Guru and
Vayu installed this image at Guruvayur,
on one side of a lotus lake, on the
other side of which was a shrine to
Shiva and Parvati. |
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It is believed that worshipping here
relieves people of bodily ailments. Legend has
it that Janamejaya, son of Parikshit was cured
of leprosy upon installing the image of Krishna
and worshipping here. Yet another legend has it
that a Pandya King was cured of a snake bite while
worshipping here. |
History:
The famous work Naaraayaneeyam - authored
in the 16th century was composed in
the presence of the presiding deity
here, and its author is believed to
have been cured of an incurable bout
of arthritis. At the time of the political
turmoil that prevailed during the period
of Tippu Sultan, the image of Krishna
was taken to Ambalapuzha for safety
and worshipped there for a period of
2 years. It was then brought back in
1789. |
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The mandala ulsavam is celebrated for
a period of 41 days towards the end of each calendar
year. The annual ulsavam or festival is celebrated
in the month of Kumbha, and this festival concludes
with an elephant race. |
