Pilgrim Centres in Kerala by Dev Sri

Kerala pilgrim centres receive pilgrims from all over India and around the world. You feel the tout God’s own Country literally true when you see a number of pilgrim centres in Kerala. This land is interspersed with Hindu, Muslim and Christian pilgrim centres.

The most famous Kerala Hindu pilgrim centres include Sabarimala Ayyapa Temple, atop a mountain named Sabarimala, Agastyarkoodam towards the southern part of Western Ghats etc. River Pampa hosts both Christian and Hindu religious conventions in the summer. Malayatoor in Central Kerala and Kurisumala in South are pilgrim centres to Christians.

Sivagiri and Aruvippuram are now two pilgrim centers that remind us of the extra ordinary courage of a sanyasin named Sree Narayana Guru. Beema Palli at Thiruvananthapuram is an important pilgrimage center for Muslims in Kerala.

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a pilgrim centre in Kerala in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of India. Lord Ayyappan's temple is situated here in the midst of 18 hills. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a singular example of one where pilgrims, without consideration of caste, creed, position or social status, go with one mind and one `mantra' dreaming constantly of the darshan of the presiding deity at the Holy Sannidhanam.

Vehicles can go up to Pampa. Thereafter, pilgrims have to follow a path approximately four kilometres up a steep hill. The path, now fully cemented, with shops and medical aid by the sides, used to be a mere trail through dense forest.

Pilgrimage at Sivagiry

Sivagiri, a hillock at Varkala is the final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru. This is an important centre of pilgrimage. This great soul's visions and teachings have great relevance in the modern world. The Guru throughout his life highlighted the simple truth that all human beings are equal creations of the god almighty and meticulously advocated the value of mutual respect, brotherliness and solidarity.

Guruvayoor

The Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple is one of the most important and sacred pilgrim centres of Kerala. It is located in Guruvayur town of Thrissur district in Kerala, India and is easily accessible by road and rail. The presiding deity is MahaVishnu, in the standing posture with four hands which carry a Sankhu (conch), Sudarshana chakram (a serrated disk), lotus and mace. He is worshipped as Balakrishna, the full avatar (Purnaavatara) of Mahavishnu. The idol is made of a rare stone known as Patala Anjana.

The Attukal Temple

Attukal is a Hindu pilgrim center in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women. In Attukal temple, the Pongala Mahotsavam is a ten-day programme which starts on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night.

Kerala Christian Pilgrim Centres

St. Sebastian's Aruthunkal is one of the most important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala, popularly known as St. Sebastian Church, 22 kms. North of Alleppey.Blessed Alphonsa, Bharananganam is one of the important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala. St. Mary's Church (Valiapally), St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi, St. George Church, Edappally, Kochi,St. Mary's Church,Vallarpadam,Kochi, Christ the King Church, Thiruvananthapuram are some of the Christian pilgrim centres.

Islamic Pilgrim Centres

Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungallore, Ottapalam Juma Masjid, The Jama-at mosque, Malappuram, Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotti etc are famous for Islamic pilgrimage.

Kerala also believes unity in diversity and we can come across the pilgrim centres of different religious faiths all over Kerala.

About The Author

Dev Sri invites you to try adventure tours of Kerala. With Adventure Kerala (http://www.adventurekerala.org/), you will enjoy adventure sports like mountaineering, rapelling, rock climbing, river crossing, and a whole lot of adventure activities.