Ochira Temple 
Also known as Dakshina Kashi, Ochira is a unique pilgrim centre, situated 34 km north of Kollam town on the way to Alappuzha. There are many versions about the origin of the name Ochira. One of them is that, 'Om' the representation of Parambrahmam, the god of all gods and the word 'Chira' (piece of land) combine together to form 'Om Chira' meaning the 'land of Parambrahmam'. During the course of time Om chira became Ochira.

Attracting thousands of devotees, Parabrahma temple in Ochira is uniquely different from other temples in Kerala. The peculiarity of the temple complex, spread across 36 acres of open land is that it does not contain a sanctum sanctorum nor is there an idol or deity for worship. This pilgrim center believes in the existence of universal consciousness or one supreme power known as Parabrahma. One can only find 'Aal thara's' (a peepal tree with a base foundation) where pujas are performed. There are no official pujaris.

The 50 feet high twin gopuram (tower) in front of the complex is carved with many ancient sculptures. These Gopurams, East Nada, West Nada, Theerthakkulam (sacred pond), Ondikkavu, Ayyappa Temple, Mahalakshmi Temple and Ganapathi temple are the points of worship at Ochira temple. Another interesting feature of the temple is connected with its offerings. Bulls are considered to be sacred in this temple and believed to be the vehicle of Parabrahmam. Hence offerings are made in the form of well decorated bulls named 'Ochirakkaala' (Sacred Bull). Devotees can also donate calves as an offering.

Ochira Kali (held in mid-June), Panthrandu Vilakku ('twelve lamps festival', held in November-December) and Irupathettam Onam are the famous festivals celebrated here. For the last 60 years, the temple administration manages a social organisation named 'Annadana Mandhiram' and this organisation serves daily free lunch for about 500 people

Sastha Temple, Kulathupuzha
Sastha temple located on the banks of Kulathupuzha, a stream of Kallada River is at a distance of 64 km from Kollam and about 10 km south of Thenmala Railway Station on the Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottai road. Believed to be built by the Raja of Pandalam, the temple has a picturesque location surrounded by beautiful hills and forests. The presiding deity is Manikanda, the child form of Lord Ayyappa or Sastha who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The most important festival Vishnu Mahotsavam is celebrated in April/May with much magnificence. Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva lingam is another deity in the temple.

Regarding the origin of the temple, there is an interesting story. Once an elderly Brahmin while returning from Rameshwaram pilgrimage camped here. His servants were in search of stones to create a makeshift oven for preparing food. Founding a fixed stone nearby, they brought two other stones to make the oven. But the fixed stone keep growing while they tried to adjust the height and the desperate servants hit the stone with the other and blood gushed out from the stone. The scared servants told the matter to the Brahmin and he sprinkled theertha (sacred water) that he brought from Rameshwaram on the bleeding stone. Soon, Lord Ayyappa in the form of child appeared before the Brahmin and his servants. The King of Kottarakkara heard about this and constructed the present temple. Feeding to the fishes in the nearby river is an important 'vazhipadu' in the Temple.

Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple
Aarattupuzha temple alias Ayyappa temple, located around 14 km from Kollam, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa also known as Dharma Sastha. The ancient temple about thousand years old is famous for its annual festival Arattupuzha Pooram Festival held in March - April. Nearly forty one neighboring temples participate in this colourful festival. The uniqueness of the festival is the ceremonial procession of deities from these neighboring temple on caparisoned elephants. Arattupuzha temple is open from 05:00 to 09:30 am and 05:00 - 07:00 pm.

Contact Address: 
The Devaswom Officer
Arattupuzha Devaswom, P.O.Arattupuzha 680 562, Kollam
Phone : 0480- 2790705

Puttingal Temple
Centuries old Paravur Puttingal temple is located at Kurumandal in Paravur village, 13kms south of Kollam. Dedicated to Devi (Goddess), the temple is named after the presence of goddess herself on an ant hill, known as 'puttu' in Malayalam. Aval ( beaten rice) and malar ( the puffed rice) are the main offerings for the Puttungal god along with tender coconut and flowers. The annual temple festival which is also the birth day of the Goddess is celebrated on the day of the Bharani in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April). Aswathy vilakku, Kampadikali, Kathakali, Marameduppu and other cultural events are associated with the festival. Thottam pattu, the main offering of the Puttingal temple begins on the 21st day of Vrischikam ( November- December) and lasts till the principal festival of the Goddess.

Contact Address:
Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple
Paravur, Kollam , Kerala-691301
Phone: 0474-2513000

Thrikkadavoor Mahadevar Temple 
The Thrikkadavoor Mahadevar Temple is situated in Thrikkadavoor panchayath on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the famous Shiva temples in the district of Kollam. The annual Kettukazhcha (exhibition of effigies) festival of the temple held during the months of February- March December-January is a colorful event. Another major festival is the Thiruvathira utsav celebrated in the Malayam month of Kumbham. The temple, previously owned by some Nair families, is now under the administration of Travancore Devaswam board. Thrikkadavoorappa Seva Sangam, a non-profit organisation formed by the youth, functions on the temple premises and it helps the devotees during the festival season.

Ayyappa Temple, Aryankavu
Situated about 73 km east of Kollam and 31 km from Punalur is the beautiful place Aryankavu, one of the important pilgrim centers of the district. The main attraction of Aryankavu is the Ayyappa Temple alias Aryankavu Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Sastha, one among the five ancient Ayyappa temples. The unique feature of the temple is that it is built about 35 ft below the road level and has some fine structure and mural paintings. The legend behind the the Ayyappa of Aryankavu is similar to that of Sree Dharma Sastha of Sabarimala .The only difference between the two are that Sastha was brought up by the Pandi Raja of Madhura and not the Raja of Pandalam.

The two main festivals of this temple, Mandala pooja and Thrikalyanam festival, celebrated in December draws thousands of pilgrims. It is believed that Swami Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of Sourashtra community in Aryankavu.  The marriage festival is held every year in Aryankavu and the marriage rituals are according to the Sourashtra community .Even now Sourashtrans reach here in groups during the time of 'Mandalapooja'. All trains towards Shencottah have a stop at Aryankavu. The Palaruvi waterfall is only 4kms away from here.

Anchal
Known for its cattle market twice a month, Anchal is situated 13 km south of Punalur. The Mudi festival of the Bhagavathy temple is conducted once every 12 years and attracts huge gatherings.

Rameshwara Temple  
Having Pandyan influence in its design, the temple has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The vyala monster sculptures give the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their out stretched paws.