Vizhinjam Cave Temple, Kerala

Vizhinjam Cave Temple, Kerala

Vizhinjam Cave Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Vizhinjam Village in Neyyattinkara Taluk in Thiruvananthapuram District in Kerala, India. This cave temple is considered as one of the earliest rock-cut cave temples in Kerala and smallest rock cut cave temples in Southern India. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The cave temple is believed to have been excavated in 8^th century CE. The site is a centrally protected monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India since 1965. Vizhinjam was the administrative capital of Ay kingdom, which is believed to have ruled over parts of the southern India between the 8^th and 10^th centuries A.D. The region had witnessed several battles in which the Chola and Pandya dynasties attempted to gain control of the port town. Vizhinjam gradually lost prominence after the 10^th century CE after coming under constant attack of the other kingdoms.

The Cave Temple

The cave is excavated on a small boulder measuring about 3 metres in height and 3.5 metres in width. The cave is carved on the eastern face of the boulder and is facing towards east. The cave consists of sanctum only. It measures about 1 metre in length, 0.7 metres in width and 1.5 metres in height. The sanctum enshrines an image of Vinadhara Dakshinamurthy. There are two rock cut niches housing bas relief images on either side of the entrance of the sanctum.

The right side niche has bas relief image of Tripurantaka. He is accompanied by two dwarf images on either side. He is four armed. His lower left hand holds the bow & upper left hand holds the axe and his lower right hand holds arrow & the upper right hand shows ardhapathaka mudra. He is depicted standing on his right foot the floor and the folded left foot on the head of the Muyalagan. A carving of Bhooda gana can be seen on the left side of Muyalagan. 

It is interesting to note that different forms of Tripurantaka had developed at such an early date. The left side niche has two bas relief images of Nataraja and Parvati. The Nataraja image is depicted in dancing posture. His left leg is depicted in parsvatha posture and his right leg held in swastika posture. The face is tilted towards his right side. The image to the left of the Nataraja is Parvati. She is shown resting her left hand on her hip and the right hand rests on her chin.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 250 metres from Vizhinjam Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Kovalam, 9 Kms from Balaramapuram Railway Station, 14 Kms from Poovar, 14 Kms from Neyyattinkara, 15 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, 16 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport and 21 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is situated on Kovalam to Poovar route.

Location

Shatrughna Temple, Payammal, Kerala

Shatrughna Temple, Payammal, Kerala

Shatrughna Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shatrughna, the youngest brother of Lord Rama located in Payammal Village in Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District in Kerala, India. This temple is considered as the fourth among the four temples housing the four sons of King Dasharatha, popularly known as Nalambalams. People usually visit a temple of Lord Krishna named Elambalakkattu at Edakkulam while going to the Shatrughna temple.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/shatrughna-temple-payammal-legends.html

History

The temple suffered destruction during the Malabar invasion of Tippu Sultan. It is said that the temple priests hide the idol of Shatrugna in the temple pond in order to the protect it from Tipu Sultan. Later, the temple was reconstructed with the help of locals. The temple is now maintained and administered by Shatrughna Seva Samiti.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west and follows traditional Kerala style of architecture. This temple is considered as the smallest temple among the Nalambalams. All the other three temples of Nalambalams have circular Sreekovils (Sanctums) but here Sreekovil is in rectangular shape. The sanctum enshrines a granite image of Shatrugna, brother of Lord Rama. The idol is about 3.5 feet tall and faces west. He is four armed. An idol of Ganesha can be seen on the wall of the sanctum. A lamp is lighted behind the Shatrughna idol inside the Sreekovil. It is believed that this lamp (Pinvilakku) is for Sruthakeerthi, the wife of Shatrughna. 

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05.30 am to 10.30 am and 05.30 pm to 07.30 pm. On Karkkidakam month, the temple remains open from 04.30 am to 01.30 pm and 04.30 pm to 09.00 pm.

Poojas

There are three main poojas namely Usha pooja, Utcha pooja and Athazha pooja performed daily at this temple.

Festivals

The five day annual festival is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (Feb-Mar). This festival starts on the Pooyam Nakshatra in the Kumbham month. The prathishta dinam is observed on Makayiram nakshatra during the Malayalam month of Medam (Apr-May). The Malayalam month of Karkkidakam (Jul-Aug) is observed as Ramayana Masam.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/shatrughna-temple-payammal-religious-significance.html

Prayers

Sudarsana Pushpanjali and submission of Sudarsana chakram offered at this temple are considered to boost the prosperity of the family members.

Contact

Shatrugna Temple,

Shatrugna Nagar, Payammal, P.O.

Mukundapuram Taluk,

Thrissur District – 680 688

Phone: +91 480 286 4500 / 329 1396

Mobile: +91 94465 71668

Email: payammalsathrughnatemple@gmail.com

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Vellangallur Junction, 5 Kms from Mathilakam, 6 Kms from Irinjalakuda Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Irinjalakuda, 14 Kms from Kodungallur, 15 Kms from Irinjalakuda Railway Station, 30 Kms from Thrissur and 40 Kms from Kochi Airport. The temple is situated at about 5 Kms to the west of Vellangallur Junction on Irinjalakuda to Kodungallur route.

Location

Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Irinjalakuda, Kerala

Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Irinjalakuda, Kerala

Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the brother of Lord Rama located in Irinjalakuda Town in Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District in Kerala, India. This temple is considered as the second among the four temples housing the four sons of King Dasharatha, popularly known as Nalambalams.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 03.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 05.00 PM to 08.30 PM.

Pooja Timings

·      Ethirthu Pooja – 08.15 AM

·      Noon Pooja – 11.30 AM

·      Athazha Pooja – 08.15 PM

Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-festivals.html

Religious Practices

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-religious-practices.html

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/koodalmanikyam-bharatha-temple-irinjalakuda-religious-significance.html

Literary Works

Unnai Warrier, the author of Nalacharitam was a native of Irinjalakuda and an ardent devotee of Sangameswara. He has also composed a Sanskrit poem called Sree Rama Pancha Sathi that is an abridged version of Ramayana in fifty dasakas dedicated to Lord Sangameswara.

Prayers

Devotees pray here for relief from incurable diseases, wedding boon, and removing obstacles in marriage alliances. The temple offers brinjal neivedyam to the devotees after their worship. It is said that the brinjal offered has medicinal properties to cure stomach ailments. Devotees offer lotus garland to the deity before commencing any important function like marriage, businesses etc. It is unique to note that even other temples offer lotus garland to this temple before the start of festivals at the respective temples.

Contact

Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple,

Irinjalakuda – 680 121,

Mukundapuram Taluk, Thrissur District,

Kerala, India

Phone: +91 480 282 6631 / 296 0160

Email: contact@koodalmanikyam.com

Web: http://www.koodalmanikyam.com

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Irinjalakuda Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Danavu Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Irinjalakuda Tana Centre, 9 Kms from Irinjalakuda Railway Station, 19 Kms from Chalakudy, 19 Kms from Kodungallur, 24 Kms from Thrissur and 37 Kms from Kochi Airport. The temple is situated at about 1.5 Kms to the west of Irinjalakuda Danavu Bus Stop on Thrissur to Kodungallur route. Buses are available for every five minutes from Thrissur to Kodungallur. All these  buses pass through Irinjalakuda.

Location

Rama Temple, Thriprayar, Kerala

Rama Temple, Thriprayar, Kerala

Rama Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Rama located in Thriprayar Village in Chavakkad Taluk in Thrissur District in Kerala, India. The temple deity is the presiding deity of Arattupuzha Pooram. This temple is considered as the first among the four temples housing the four sons of King Dasharatha, popularly known as Nalambalams. The temple is situated on the bank of Theevra River. This temple is situated between two important religious centres in Guruvayur and Kodungallur.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/rama-temple-thriprayar-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/rama-temple-thriprayar-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/rama-temple-thriprayar-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 03.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.30 PM to 08.30 PM.

Poojas

Five worship services namely Usha pooja, Ucha pooja, Panthiradi pooja, Ethirtha pooja and Athazha pooja are conducted in this temple daily. The deity of Rama is carried around the temple thrice daily in Sheevelis (Ucha Sheeveli, Usha Sheeveli and Athazha Sheeveli). Athazha Pooja and Nirmalya Darshan are considered to be the most sacred of all.

Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/rama-temple-thriprayar-festivals.html

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/rama-temple-thriprayar-religious-significance.html

Contact

Rama Temple,

Thriprayar, Valappad P.O.,

Chavakkad Taluk,

Thrissur District – 680 567

Kerala, India

Phone: +91 487 239 1375 / 233 1124 / 232 7028

Fax: +91 487 233 5874 / 232 7029

Email: admin@cochindevaswomboard.org

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Thriprayar South Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Valappad, 17 Kms from Irinjalakuda, 22 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, 23 Kms from Chavakkad, 24 Kms from Thrissur, 25 Kms from Kodungallur, 25 Kms from Guruvayur and 53 Kms from Kochi Airport. The temple is situated on Guruvayur to Kodungallur route.

Location

Thirumangalam Maha Vishnu Shiva Temple, Engandiyur, Kerala

Thirumangalam Maha Vishnu Shiva Temple, Engandiyur, Kerala

Thirumangalam Maha Vishnu Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, located at Engandiyur Village in Thrissur District in Kerala, India. This temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva Temples created by Lord Parasurama. It is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala. 

Legends

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Parasurama created the land between Gokarna and Kanyakumari. Parasurama the sixth avatar of Maha Vishnu, he was youngest son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka. It is said that Kerala was reclaimed from the ocean using his axe for donating to Brahmins after killing of King Kartavirya Arjuna and other Kshatriyas. He split this land in to 64 villages (64 gramas). Out of these 64 villages, 32 villages are in between Perumpuzha and Gokarnam and the spoken language was Tulu.

The remaining 32 villages were in Malayalam speaking area between Perumpuzha and Kanyakumari. According legends, after donating the land to Brahmins108 Maha Shiva Lingam and Durga Idols were installed in these 64 villages. These 108 Shiva Temples are mentioned in the Shivala Stotram and song is written in Malayalam language. Of the 108 Shiva Temples, 105 temples are situated in Kerala state, 2 temples in Karnataka and 1 in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

Among these temples, the Lord Shiva of Gokarnam Mahabaleswara Temple in the north and Goddess Kumari of Kanyakumari temple in the south were considered as the protectors of Kerala. The first temple created by Parasurama was the Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple and the last one was the Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva Temple. This temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva Temples created by Lord Parasurama.

The Temple

This temple complex is facing towards east. This temple complex houses two sanctums enshrining Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Both the sanctums are facing east. The Lingam housed in the Lord Shiva Sanctum is considered to be of Swayambhu (self-manifested). There is a sub shrine for Lord Ganapathy can be seen in the temple premises.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 05:00 PM to 07:30 PM.

Festivals

Ashtami Rohini and Maha Shivarathri are celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Contact

Thirumangalam Maha Vishnu Shiva Temple,

Pokkulangara P.O., Engandiyur,

Kerala – 680 615

Mobile: +91 85479 55479

Email: thirumangalamtemple@gmail.com

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 500 meters from Pokkulangara Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Guruvayur, 14 Kms from Guruvayur Railway Station, 24 Kms from Thrissur and 68 Kms from Cochin Airport. The Temple is situated on Kodungallur to Guruvayur Route (NH – 66).

Location