Temples

Mullakkal Rajeswari Temple
This temple located in the heart of Alappuzha city, is dedicated to the goddess Rajarajeswari, the main deity. The temple celebrates two festivals every year. The nine day 'Navarathri' festival is celebrated with all the dedication and traditional magnificence and the last two days, ie the Mahanavami and the Vijayadasami being the most auspicious is of special significance for the people of Alappuzha. A colourful procession with nine elephants is held in the evening and a variety of cultural programmes, including 'Ottanthullal' are staged in the temple. Another important festival of the temple is 'Thaipooyakavadi'. About fifteen 'Kavadis' take part in the procession of 'Thaipooyakavadi' festival.

Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple, Mannar
Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple, situated at Mannar on the banks of the Pamba River, is one of the famous 108 Sivalayas (Shiva Temple) built by Lord Parasurama. Mannar is a major business town, especially for Bell metal products and handicrafts, located mid way between 8 km north of Mavelikara and Tiruvalla. It is believed that the mammoth temple compound wall was built by a troupe of Bhoothas of Lord Paramasiva in one night. The antique wooden carving of the temple srikovil attracts lot of art lovers including foreigners. At a special Nada (gate) on the east side of the temple compound wall, other religious members, in particular, Muslims, present offerings on a daily basis. This practice is believed to be centuries old and is considered to be a true embodiment of religious harmony. The unique festivities of Thrikkuratti temple are Sahasra kalasam, Maikatti puja and Sivarathri Nritham. The Thrikkuratti Mahasivarathri Festival (only next to Aluva sivarathri in terms of mass congregation) and its well known procession with decorated floats, Kavadi aattam, Amman Kudom, Thaiyyam and cultural floats etc, attract thousands of devotees and tourists. The west nada (Parvathi) of the temple opens only once in a year for ten minutes during Sivarathri Nritham on Sivarathri day. The major daily offering of the temple is called Satha Kalasam. The srikovil (sanctum santorium) of the adjacent Mahavishnu temple is built in North Indian style of architecture.

Contact Address:
Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Seva Samithi
Thrikkuratti Junction, Mannar.P.O,
Thiruvalla (via), Pin:689622
E-mail : Contact Now

Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha (Champakkulam)
Ambalapuzha, situated 14 km south of Alappuzha on the Kollam-Alappuzha Highway is a well-known Hindu pilgrim center. The 'Sri Krishna temple' here is called the Dwaraka of the South. The temple is known for the famous 'Palpayasam' (a sweet milk porridge) offered to the presiding deity here. The temple was built by Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran, the ruler of the Chempakaserry Dynasty which reigned over a part of the Travancore State, including Kuttanadu during 15th - 17th AD. An ardent devotee of Sree Krishna, he brought the idol of Lord Krishna from the Karinkulam temple in Kurichi near Kottayam and installed it in the Amabalapuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. 

The temple built in the traditional architectural style display paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) on the inner walls of the Chuttambalam. The temple is also famous for the 'Pallipana' performed by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged the first 'Ottan Thullal', a solo dance performance with high social content. 

The main festivals celebrated in this temple are the Arattu Utsavam held in March-April and the Champakkulam Moolam Water Festival held in June-July. The arattu festival, commences with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Atham day in Meenam (March-April). The main day of the festival is held on the Thiruvonam day of the month Meenam. 'Velakali', a traditional martial art form of Kerala is an important feature of this festival. 

Amabalapuzha Temple Festival, popularly known as the Champakkulam Moolam Water Festival is celebrated in remembrance of the installation of the famous idol of Lord Krishna in the temple. One of the most popular boat races of Kerala, the highlights of the water festival are a ceremonial procession on the water, spectacular water floats, decorated boats, and of course, the race of the majestic Chundanvalloms or Snake boats– so called because the stern resembles the raised hood of a snake), each 100 feet long, on the waters of river Champakkulam. The festival is celebrated on the Moolam (asterism) day of the Mithunam month ( June- July) of the Malayalam era every year. Ottamthullal, Chakiyarkuthu, Krishnanattam and Velakali, the ancient traditional visual arts of Kerala are some of the special features on the occasion. 

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 26 kms away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 kms from Alappuzha.

Sree Nagaraja Temple, Mannarsala
One of the most important and ancient centers of snake worship in Kerala, Sree Nagaraja temple is situated at Mannarassala 35 Km away from Alappuzha near Harippad in NH 47 on the Alappuzha-Kollam route. The main deity here is the serpent God Nagaraja (King of Serpents). It is believed that the Nagaraja deity installed here is an artistic form of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and the spirit of Lord Shiva. There are also shrines for 'Sarpa Yakshi' and 'Naga Yakshi', the beloved consorts of Nagaraja and also for Nagachamundi, his sister. The serpent shrine is maintained by a Brahmin family headed by a priestess better known as 'Valia amma' (The great mother). The rituals of the temple are presided over by this priestess.

The entrance to the temple, surrounded by about 16 acres of thick green forest, is lined with rows of stone images of serpents reportedly 30,000 of them. On the eastern side of the temple 'Pulluvans' (a community) sing 'Pulluvan Pattu' (serpent songs) with ardent faith. On the south west of the shrine is the 'Thevaram chamber' where the great mother worships Nagaraja.

There are many legends associated with the temple. It is believed that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed snake referred to as 'Muthassan' or 'Appoppan' (grandfather), which is believed to reside in the cellar (Nilavara) of the ancestral house to safeguard the family. The asterism 'Ayilyam' of Malayalam months- Kanni, Tulam and Kumbham - or the months of September and October, is celebrated with great fervor here. Mahasivaratri festival is also celebrated with great religious fervor. 

The temple is credited with surprising cures. Prasadam made of turmeric paste given from this temple is believed to be effective for recovering from many types of diseases or conditions including leprosy, infertility, poison infections etc. Treatment for snake poison and rat poison is rendered at the temple. The most popular offering of this temple is 'Uruli Kamazhthal', the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity, which is believed to restore fertility to childless couples. 

Contact Address:
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala Dewaswom
Mannarasala P.O, Haripad
Phone: +91- 479- 2413788
E-mail : Contact Now

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mavelikkara 
This temple is situated at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara Taluk of Alappuzha district, 8 Km east of NH 47 at Kayamkulam on the Mavelikara- Kayamkulam route. This temple dedicated to 'Bhadrakali' or 'Bhagavathy' or 'Jagadambika' (Goddess of 'Oodanadu'), is believed to date back to over 1200 years. There are contradictions regarding its origin. While some believe that it is one among the five temples established by Lord Parashuram, others believe that this temple was consecrated by Padmapadacharyar, a leading disciple of Adi Shankara. The deity here is supposed to possess miraculous powers. Besides the main deity, many subsidiary gods are there in the temple premises such as Yakshi (bewitchingly beautiful supernatural being who feed on human blood), Muhurthi, Rakshas (a fierce super natural creature who feed on humans), Thevara Moorthy, Kannamballi bhagavathi, Ganapathi, Nagarajav (King of serpents), Naga Yakshi, Balakan, Vallyachan ( Central Travancore parlance for family chieftains, and they are worshipped by his descendants after death) etc. Besides, there is a small temple for Moolasthanam. A Kavu (a patch of small forest which houses the serpent Gods), Karimbana (Black palm tree) and the nearby Chembakam tree in the premises are also places of worship on the belief that they houses Gandharvas and Yakshis, the fairytale supernatural elements who accompany Bhagavathy, their master, during her trips termed as 'Varutthu Pokku’ in local parlance.

Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple is the nerve centre of Chettikulangara, spread over 13 God chosen (Karas) territories and the temple itself is located at the middle of the first four Karas – Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South and Kaitha North. Special Poojas are performed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The important festival in this temple is the Kumbha Bharani festival conducted during February-March and the important festivities associated with this utsavam is 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettu-Kazhcha' which draws large crowds of devotees. The procession of tall decorated on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make this a spectacular pageant. The people of the 13 Karas actively participate and sponsor the festivities of the temple. The temple is now under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board and is the second highest revenue earner, next to Sabarimala within this board. The temple provides 12 room rest houses on rent for devotees at reasonable cost, managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board and Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention. 

Contact Address :
Chettikulangara Devi Temple,
Chettikulangara. P.O, Mavelikkara
Alappuzha District, Kerala, India
Phone: 91- 479- 2348670
E-mail : Contact Now

Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Harippad
Located at Harippad on the way to the Mannarassala temple, around 33 km from Alappuzha, the ancient Subrahmanya Swami temple is one of the renowned Subrahmanya temples of Kerala. The architecture is typical Kerala style.

Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Thazhakara
The temple complex in an area of 1.75 acres, is located at a distance of 3 Kms east from Mavelikara in Thazhakara village, very near to Mavelikara – Pandalam Road. Surrounded by greenery, the temple and the deity 'Shadadhara Parathishta' of Lord Murugan boasts of a thousand year old history. The deity of Lord Murugan here, holding a sprig of paddy and Fire (Torch) showering blessings on his devotees assumes a human form. The Lord is believed to be a healer of physical and mental ailments of his devotees. Thypooyam held during the Malayalam months of Makaram and Medam, and the ten day ulsavam are the main celebrations of the temple.

Contact Address :
Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple, 
Thazhakara. P.O, Mavelikara, Alappuzha Dist., 
Kerala, India - 690102,
Phone: 91 479 2305321
E-mail : Contact Now

Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu and Devi Temple
Kottamkulangara is a small place in the Alappuzha District of Kerala, India.The Mahavishnu temple, the oldest temple in Alappuzha was situated at the centre of a pond which is now covered fully with sand. Mahavishnu and Devi temples are the only two major temples in Alappuzha, located in the same compound having two flag masts and having two festival seasons. The festival season of Mahavishnu temple is in January and that of the Devi temple is in March.In Ancient times the deity was worshiped and was under the shell. Then on 12th century Sri Vilwa Mangalam Swamiyar found the four handed idol from the big Pond.The Devi Temple (Bhadrakali) in Kottamkulangara is the latest temple . The temple was established around 1799 AD, after the occurance of an infectious decease. The idol was kept at Avaloor Madam and later brought to the recent place on the left of Sri Maha Vishnu Temple.