9 Most Famous Kerala Temples

Steeped in spirituality and cultural heritage, Kerala is home to some of India's most prized temples. From the awe-inspiring Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram to the mystical Mannarasala Nagaraja temple in Alappuzha, these religious monuments often pair profound spiritual experiences with architectural splendour. Here are my favourite Kerala temples to explore.

These are the 9 most famous temples in Kerala

While Kerala is mostly celebrated for its backwaters, its temples offer a path less taken to explore the spiritual and architectural legacy that thrives in the heart of this coastal paradise. Each temple narrates a story, a legend, and a piece of history, inviting you to immerse yourself in the lesser-known yet equally enchanting side of Kerala's cultural mosaic.

These are my favourite temples!

#1 Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Thiruvananthapuram

If you're keen on visiting Kerala temples, this is one of the best. The presiding deity of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is Padmanabha, the god Vishnu reclined on a coiled serpent with a lotus flower sprouting from his belly button. This vast complex of walled courtyards, shrines and ceremonial walkways in the south of Thiruvananthapuram is often referred to as the richest place of worship in the world.

With its stalls full of religious souvenirs and offerings, the main road to Sree Padmanabhaswamy makes an atmospheric place for a stroll, particularly in the early morning when worshippers take ritual baths in the water tank.

A little bit of history

The iconic image of the temple’s seven-tiered, Tamil-style gopura gateway, reflected in the waters of the adjacent bathing tank, graced the front pages of many newspapers across the world in June 2011 when a vast horde of treasure was discovered in vaults beneath its inner sanctum.

Sealed inside the secret chambers were sacks of diamonds, a thousand kilograms of gold, thousands of pieces of gem-encrusted jewellery and, the pièce de résistance, an exquisite 1m-tall gold image of Vishnu shimmering with precious stones. Experts are still debating the value of the items, with estimates ranging from US$40–200 billion.

How to get there

Auto-rickshaws and prepaid taxis are the best way to visit from Thiruvananthapuram.

#2 Mahadeva (Shiva) temple, Ettumanoor

The magnificent Mahadeva (Shiva) temple is found at Ettumanoor, some 12 km from Kottayam, on the road to Ernakulam. The temple is renowned for its exquisite architecture, and its entrance porch holds some of Kerala’s most celebrated medieval wall paintings.

The temple showcases the traditional Keralan style of temple architecture, which is characterized by intricate wood carvings, detailed mural paintings, and a unique blend of Dravidian and Vedic architectural elements.

The most spectacular of the intricate wall paintings depicts Nataraja (Shiva) in a cosmic tandava dance, trampling evil in the form of a demon underfoot.

A little bit of history

The temple is believed to have been established during the 16th century, however, the exact origins are surrounded by legends and folklore. It is said that the temple was built by the Pandya king, Cheraman Perumal, under the guidance of the sage Vyaghrapada.

According to popular belief, Lord Shiva appeared in a dream to the king and directed him to retrieve a Shivalinga (a representation of Lord Shiva) from the depths of a nearby river. The king followed the divine instruction and installed the Shivalinga, which is now the presiding deity of the temple.

How to get there

From Kottayam, it’s a 20-minute auto-rickshaw or a 15-minute taxi ride to the temple.

With our tailor-made trip to Unmissable India, you will experience the country’s exquisite forts and temples, fabulous food and dusty atmospheric cities as you journey through the Golden Triangle and onwards to the lush southern backwaters of lovely Kerala.

#3 Sree Poornathrayeesa, Tripunithura

Theatre, classical music and dance performances, including all-night kathakali, are held over a period of eight days during the annual Vrischikolsavam festival (in Nov/Dec) at the Sree Poornathrayeesa temple on the way to the Hill Palace in Tripunithura.

Inside the temple compound, both in the morning and at night, massed drum orchestras perform chenda melam in procession (chenda is a Keralan drum) with 15 caparisoned elephants.

A little bit of history

The temple is believed to have been built in the 17th century, and its history intertwines with the history of the Cochin royal family, who were ardent devotees of Lord Krishna.

Over the years, successive rulers of the Cochin kingdom made significant contributions to the temple's development and upkeep. They also introduced various rituals and festivals, making the temple an integral part of royal religious and cultural traditions.

How to get there

The nearest railway station is Ernakulam Junction (also known as Ernakulam South), approximately 8km away. It’s well-connected to major cities in India and you can hire an auto-rickshaw or a taxi from there to the temple.

#4 Vadakke Madham Brahmaswam, Thrissur (Trichur)

The mighty Vadakkunnathan temple, in the centre of the Round in Thrissur, may be closed to non-Hindus, but you can gain a sense of how ancient its roots are at the nearby Vadakke Madham Brahmaswam, five minutes’ walk west, where young Namboodiri Brahmin boys attend chanting classes at a madham, or college.

Wearing white mundu, sacred threads and ash marks on their skin, the students sit cross-legged in traditional Keralan halls while they repeat verses from 3,000-year-old texts, modelled for them by their gurus.

A little bit of history

Said to have been built by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, thousands of years ago, Vadakkunnathan Temple is mentioned in various ancient Hindu scriptures and literary works. The temple has undergone several renovations and modifications over time, but its core structure and sanctity have been preserved.

How to get there

Thrissur has a well-connected railway station which welcomes trains from across India. Hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw from there to the temple, which is around 2km away in the centre of Thrissur Round. Alternatively, you can walk.

#5 The Mappila mosques, Kozhikode (Calicut)

Three of India’s most impressive mosques lie off a back road running through the Muslim quarter of Thekkepuram, 2km southwest of the maidan in Kozhikode.

Start at the 1,100-year-old Macchandipalli Masjid, whose ceilings are covered in beautiful polychrome stucco and intricate Koranic script. A couple of hundred metres north you’ll find another elaborately carved ceiling at the 11th-century Jama Masjid, whose main prayer hall can hold a congregation of 1,200 worshippers.

The most magnificent of the trio of mosques is the Mithqalpalli (aka Jama’atpalli) Masjid, hidden down a lane behind Kuttichira tank. Resting on 24 wooden pillars, its four-tier roof and turquoise walls were built more than 700 years ago.

A little bit of history

Mappila mosques have a rich history that dates back centuries. The term "Mappila" refers to the Muslim community in the Malabar region, which has a unique cultural heritage shaped by trade, migration, and historical interactions with Arab and other international communities.

Islam is believed to have been introduced to Kerala by Arab traders, and over time, Islamic traditions and practices became an integral part of the local culture. Mappila mosques served as centers for religious and community activities, as well as spaces for Islamic education.

How to get there

The mosques can be difficult to find but most auto-rickshaw drivers know where they are. Either flag one down on the street or take one from the train station. Have the driver wait and then take you back to the city centre once you're done.

#6 Sree Thirunelli, Wayanad

Thirunelli is one of the most scenic Kerala temples. Set amid a wonderful amphitheatre of mountains draped in vegetation, Sree Thirunelli is one of Wayanad’s most celebrated temples. It’s also one of the most remote, and can only be reached via a bumpy back road. The temple is an unusual mix of Keralan tiled roofs and north Indian-style pillared halls.

Sree Thirunelli holds immense spiritual significance for Hindus, especially those who seek salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is believed that a dip in the sacred Papanasini River nearby can wash away one's sins.

A little bit of history

The temple is said to have been built by Lord Brahma, after he performed a yajna (sacred ritual) here to cleanse himself of the sins associated with killing demons. As a result, the place came to be known as Thirunelli, meaning “holy gooseberry” in Malayalam.

How to get there

From Kozhikode Railway Station you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Wayanad. The travel time is approximately 3-4 hours. There are also regular bus services from various Keralan cities to Wayanad.

#7 Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan, Parassinikadavu

Large numbers of Hindu pilgrims visit Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan temple, some 20km north of Kannur beside the River Valapattanam, to witness its morning and evening theyyams.

During these rituals, the resident priest becomes possessed by the temple’s presiding deity, Lord Muthappan, and performs a series of complex offerings to the accompaniment of traditional drumming.

The two-hour ceremony culminates when the priest/deity dances forward to bless individual members of the congregation – an extraordinary spectacle, even by Keralan standards.

A little bit of history

Lord Muthappan is a folk deity widely worshipped in North Malabar, Kerala, and according to local legend is a hunter representation of Lord Shiva.

The temple has a rich history, dating back several centuries. It is believed to have been established by the Chirakkal royal family, the erstwhile rulers of the region.

The temple follows unique rituals and traditions associated with Muthappan, which combine elements of both Hinduism and theyyam, a popular ritual art form in Kerala.

How to get there

Take a taxi or local bus from Kannur Railway Station. The travel time is approximately 30-40 minutes. There are also regional buses to Parassinikadavu from Kannur and other nearby towns.

Rough Guides Trip: this tailor-made trip to Kerala is nothing short of highlights. Take a houseboat trip on the Kerala backwaters before finishing your trip with some leisure beach days.

#8 Attukal Bhagavathy, Thiruvananthapuram

This revered temple dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathy holds immense significance for female Hindu devotees: the Attukal Pongala festival. It is an awe-inspiring event that draws millions from around the world, and holds the record for the largest annual gathering of women.

During this grand celebration, the temple's surroundings witness a remarkable transformation as devotees prepare a traditional offering of Pongala (a sweet rice dish) in clay pots, filling the air with devotion and spiritual fervor.

Celebrated in February/March each year, this unique and vibrant festival showcases the devotion and unity of women. The temple itself holds immense spiritual significance for devotees, especially women, who seek the blessings of divine feminine power.

A little bit of history

According to mythology, the temple is considered to be the abode of divine feminine power. The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Kannaki, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that the temple was established by a group of women devotees who worshipped the deity in a small shrine. Over time, the temple grew in importance and popularity.

How to get there

Take a taxi or bus from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, approximately 3km from the temple. There are also regular buses from different parts of Thiruvananthapuram and nearby towns.

#9 Mannarasala Nagaraja, Alappuzha

This temple holds a distinctive identity as the serpent temple. Devoted to the worship of serpent gods, this sacred shrine is revered for its deep-rooted association with fertility and healing. Legend has it that rituals performed here can bestow blessings of prosperity and well-being.

The temple complex is adorned with more than 100,000 images of snakes, reflecting the profound significance of serpents in local folklore and mythology. It is also known for its efforts in serpent conservation. The complex houses several serpent groves, where hundreds of non-venomous snakes reside, and devotees and visitors can witness the serpents coexisting peacefully in their natural habitat.

A little bit of history

Mannarasala Nagaraja is one of the oldest and most important serpent Kerala temples, with a history dating back more than 3,000 years. According to legend, the temple was established by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is the abode of Nagaraja (serpent god) and his consort, Sarpayakshini.

How to get there

You can take a taxi or bus from Haripad train station, about 5km away. The travel time is approximately 15-20 minutes. You can also get a bus to Haripad or Alappuzha, and take a local bus or taxi from there to the temple.

Ready to take a trip to Kerala or India? Dive into The Rough Guide to India.

Not sure where to go? Weigh up whether to visit Goa or Kerala. For more inspiration, browse our customisable India itineraries, or get in touch with our local India travel experts.