Trivandrum- being the capital over 300 years is bound to have some of these beautiful temples as the kings usually preferred capital over other cities for the construction of major temples and other attraction.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is the most famous temple in Thiruvananthapuram and maybe the whole of Kerala due to immense wealth hidden inside its chambers. Government officials opened all the vaults except Vault B. No one dares to open the Mysterious vault B as astrologers warn that whoever opens the Vault B will meet disastrous consequences.
The temple’s Main deity Lord Vishnu is found in the “Anantha Shayanam” ( eternal yogic sleep ) posture. The temple has two more shrines dedicated to Ugra Narasimha and Krishna. Ugra Narasimha is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and depicted as having a human torso and lower body with the face of a lion.
The Gopuram( Tower at the entrance of the temple ) is Gold plated. Gopurams are not usually found in Keralite temples, but the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a fusion of Keralite and Dravidian style( where Gopurams are common ) of architecture.
In adherence to an age-old tradition, the temple management allows women devotees to enter the premises given they are wearing either a Saree or a Dhoti or a long skirt. Check out temple’s terms and conditions here.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Attukal Bhagvathy Temple also called women’s Sabarimala is one of the most famous temples in Trivandrum city.
Everyone who pays a visit to this temple, come out feeling full of positive energy. Some attribute it to the Peaceful environment while some say it is a result of Goddess Kannaki’s blessings.
Found in Attukal which is just two km from Padnabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, the temple has Guinness record to its name thanks to the 3 million women who flock every year to the temple during Pongal festival to prepare and offer Pongala to Kannaki Mata.
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
Temple’s main deity is Lord Ganesha/Ganapathy. Other deities worshiped here are Dharmasasta, Goddess Durga, and Nagaraja
The temple has strict has a dress code for men and women as many other temples in Kerala. For men, it is bare chest and a mundu ( even dhoti will work fine ). Women need to wear traditional dresses like Saree to gain entrance. Do remember to carry Dhoti or Mundu by yourself and you won’t find them at the temple.
The Prasada offered to Lord Ganapathy is Coconut, and it offered in a unique way – Breaking the coconut outside the sanctum. The walls of the temple are adorned with sculptures depicting Lord Ganesha in his 32 different forms like Bala Ganpati ( childlike Ganpati ), Vira Ganpati ( valiant Ganpati ) etc.
Aazhimala Siva Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is near the Trivandrum city just 20 km away from it, on the way to Poovar islands and Kovalam.
Modestly sized, the temple offers a scenic view of the Arabian sea. The sound of water hitting the rocks has a very calming effect on the devotees.
Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple
Made in true Kerala style architecture, the temple is situated on the outskirts of Trivandrum city. The temple houses three forms of Chamundi Devi – Maha Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, and Bala Chamundi. It even has an idol made of panchaloha ( meaning five metals ) which is considered very sacred in Hinduism.
The temple attracts thousands of women during the Pongal festival in Feb-march where they offer Pongal to their goddess. The idol is then paraded among the devotees outside in a Golden Chariot.
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