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

Giri Gobardhan Temple, Kalna, West Bengal

Giri Gobardhan Temple, Kalna, West Bengal

Giri Gobardhan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Kalna Town in Purba Bardhaman District in the Indian state of West Bengal. The temple is situated on the banks of Hooghly river. The temple is situated in front of the Lalji Temple.

History

The temple was constructed in 1758 CE by the rulers of Bardhaman Raj.

The Temple

The temple is situated inside the Lalji Temple premises. The roof of the temple is designed like a Govardana Giri mountain with crocodiles, peacocks, snakes, meditating saints & sages and an idol of Lord Ganesha. The temple houses several stucco images representing the Krishna Leela.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Kalna Old Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Kalna New Bus Stand and 2.5 Kms from Kalna Railway Station. Kalna is located at about 22 Kms from Pandua, 23 Kms from Boinchi, 26 Kms from Nabadwip, 26 Kms from Ranaghat, 27 Kms from Satgachia, 30 Kms from Krishnanagar, 33 Kms from Memari, 34 Kms from Purbasthali, 44 Kms from Bandel, 59 Kms from Burdwan, 63 Kms from Katwa, 95 Kms from Kolkata and 95 Kms from Kolkata Airport. Ambika Kalna Railway Station is situated on the Bandel – Katwa railway line.

There are many local trains (EMU) and a few express & passenger trains from Howrah and Sealdah Railway Stations. Kalna is well connected to Pandua, Boinchi, Memari, Krishnanagar, Katwa, Bandel, Bardhaman, Purbasthali and Kolkata. The main bus stand is situated beside the STKK Road (SH 6). Many private local and long route express buses are available. There is a Government bus depot operated by South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) for long distance buses. Autos and Rickshaws are available for exploring this town. 

Location

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave, Jamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Jamgarh Cave is a natural located in Jamgarh Village in Bareli Taluk in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This cave is situated on the hills of the Vindhya mountain range.

Legends

As per legend, Jambavan is the king of bears who assisted Lord Rama in his battle with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Jambavan, together with Parashurama and Hanuman, is considered to be one of the few to have been present for the birth of both Rama and the Krishna. His daughter Jambavati was married to Krishna. It is believed that Jambavan still resides in this cave. It is also believed that the legendary Jewel Syamantak Mani is hidden in this cave even today.

The Cave

It is a natural cave located in the hills of the Vindhya mountain range. The cave is deep and mysterious. It is said that the cave is not yet explored completely. Strange sounds are heard from the interior of the cave. There is a mysterious stepwell in the middle of the cave. A natural Shivalinga can be seen in the middle of the stepwell. It is always filled with water even during the summers. The water from this stepwell is considered sacred for the pilgrims. The footprints of Jambvan are still visible in this cave. There is a temple situated close to this cave. It is said that this temple was built by Jambavan himself with his own hands.

Connectivity

The cave is located at about 7 Kms from Khargone, 20 Kms from Bareli Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Bareli, 29 Kms from Udaipura, 60 Kms from Pipariya Railway Station, 82 Kms from Raisen, 98 Kms from Narmadapuram and 144 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The cave is situated at about 7 Kms to the north west of Khargone on Bareli to Udaipura route.

Location