4 Stunning Temples In Kottayam To Explore The Rich Heritage In Kerala

Also known as the “City of Letters” or “Akshara Nagari” due to its contribution to the print media and literature, Kottayam is one of the major cities of Kerala. It is also one of the first cities in India to achieve a hundred percent literacy rate. It is situated on a hilltop and is pushed with nature’s bounty and a lot of enthralling temples. The city proves itself to be a good vacation destination because of the beautiful landscapes and alluring shrines. It is rich in beautifully sculptured temples and thus is an important spot for the religious people and pilgrims. The following are some of the famous temples in Kottayam which are a must-visit.

4 Temples In Kottayam

Here’s a list of temples in Kottayam that are not to be missed on your trip to Kerala.

1. Nalambalam

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These temples are Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Moozhikulam Lakshmana Temple, Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, and Payammal Shatrughan Temple. These temples are devoted to Lord Ram, Lakshman, Bharata, and Shatrughna respectively, who are the four sons of Dashratha and are collectively known as Nalambalam.

Offering prayers to Nalambalam on the auspicious occasion of Ramayana Masam is considered to be a prosperous and golden event. However, there exists a total of five sets of another Nalambalam, and this one is the most popular one. The four temples are highly visited during the Nalambala Darshanam.

Location: Thrissur and Ernakulam districts, Kerala
Timings: 3 AM – 12.30 PM and 5 PM – 7.30 PM
How to reach: Thriprayar: It is easily reachable by road and rail from Thrissur that is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Kochi, that is 60 km away.

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2. Thiruvarppu Temple

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This temple is considered one of the most ancient temples as it is more than 1500 years old. Built on the coast of the Meenachil river in reverence to Lord Krishna, one of the unique features of this temple is that the priest opens the temple early in the morning with a key. If the key even slightly delays the opening of the temple, then the priest is allowed to open the door with the help of an axe as it is believed that Lord Krishna cannot stand hunger. This is also the reason why the temple is kept open during the eclipse. The temple possesses a peculiar 12 level brass lamp that was gifted by a Christian follower.

The temple is best visited during the temple festival which is held in the months of April and May during which various cultural activities are observed like elephant race, the offering of prayer by little girls of age less than ten years dressed as Lord Krishna.

Location: Thiruvarppu, which is 6-7 km away from Kottayam, Kerala, 686020
Timings: 2:30 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 7 PM
How to reach: This temple is easily accessible by road as it is only 8 km away from the Kottayam Railway Station.

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3. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple

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This temple is situated in the centre of the hill station and is one of the most renowned Kottayam’s Shiva temples. It was built 500 years ago by Thekkumkoor Maharajah representing the architecture of the Kerala School of Architecture. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and has a number of beautifully sculptured murals portraying ancient stories that are a major attraction to the tourists and pilgrims. Various cultural activities, like traditional dance forms, are held in the theatre of the temple known as Koothambalam.

One of the major festivals of the temple includes Phalguna Utsavam which continues for 10 days and falls in the month of March and April. The other festivals during which the temple is worth visiting are held in the months of October-November and June-July.

Location: Temple Rd, Thirunakara, Kottayam, Kerala, Pin Code – 686001
Timings: 4 AM – 11 AM and 5 PM – 8 PM.
How to reach: This temple is easily accessible by road as it is only 2 km away from the Kottayam Railway Station and 64 km away from Cochin airport.

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4. Panachikkadu Temple

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This temple is one of the most famous temples in Kottayam, and people worship Lordess Saraswati over here. Unlike other temples that offer prayers and conduct religious events only in the tenure of Navarathri, this temple offers prayers throughout the entire year.

Located in a natural valley, this temple has water flowing and dripping from it, which makes it an alluring sight to the tourists. The main idol of Saraswati lies in the heart of a rectangular pond covered by creepers which looks quite exquisite. However, the prayers are offered to an alternate idol of Saraswati which lies near the main idol.

Location: Eravinalloor Panachikkadu Temple Rd, Panachikkad, Kuzhimattom P.O, Kerala, Pin Code – 686533
Timings: 5:30 AM – 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
How to reach: Situated in the Panachikkadu village, this temple is just 7 km away from Kottayam where lies the nearest railway station. Alternatively, one can get down at the nearest airport, i.e. Cochin International airport, which is about 70 km away from the temple and can travel further by road.

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How To Reach Kottayam

By road: The city is well-connected to other cities and can be accessed via cars or buses. There are a lot of buses running from all parts of the country to the Kottayam bus station.

By rail: The city has good railway connections and can be reached easily via trains from other cities to the Kottayam railway station.

By air: There is no airport in Kottayam, thus, if you opt for flights to reach the city, you will have to get down at the nearest airport which is the Cochin International Airport that is around 50 km away from Kottayam.

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Kottayam is a good place to relax and take a short break from your mundane life. The charming temples adorn the city and make it a perfect holiday destination. Apart from the temples in Kottayam, the city has abundant greenery and tourist attractions for you to plan a trip to Kerala and indulge in an exciting vacation!

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