A Spiritual Odyssey
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Just pay a visit to the astounding places of worship in the Palm-land… There is hardly a better solution to dissolve the boundaries between you and the divine.
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Covering Temples at Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala, Mannarsala, Ambalappuzha, Haripad, Alappuzha, Thiruvizha, Cherthala, Thuravoor, Chottanikkara, Tripunithura, Paravoor, Kodungalloor, Thriprayar, Irinjalakkuda, Guruvayur & Mammiyoor
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5 Days / 4 Nights |
Day 1 |
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Arrival at Airport / Railway Station in Thiruvananthapuram, the starter of your spiritual odyssey! Transfer to your Hotel. After settling in comfortably, prepare yourself for the temple tour.
Start the awakening at:
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
One of the most famous Lord Ganesh Temples in the State… Here the idol is entirely different from other Ganesh idols (the right leg is in the folded postures). The Shrine is adorned with beautiful paintings of the 32 forms of Lord Ganesh.
Then, proceed to other Temples viz.,
Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's capital owes both its name (Thiru-Anantha-Puram) and significance as the abode of this deity, Anantha Padmanabha – Lord Vishu in reclining posture. One of the 108 Shrines sacred to Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu), this trove of ancient art forms is Kerala's only specimen of Dravidian style architecture. A Temple inseparable from the Kings of erstwhile Travancore, who ruled this land as 'Padmanabha Dasas' (Servants of the Lord)!
Attukal Devi Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram pilgrimage is not complete without the visit to this Shrine of the supreme Mother Attukalamma, otherwise known as the Sabarimala of Women. This Temple's main festival 'Attukal Pongala' entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest women gathering festival in the world!!
Sreekandeswara Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Another revered Temple situated right in the heart of the city.
Conclude your worship of the day at:
Shanghumughom Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
A cute, old Temple adding up to the charm of the Shanghumughom beach
Drive back to the city and cool your heels at the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
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Day 2 |
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After a sound sleep, rise early - vacate the Hotel and drive to Alappuzha - 'The Venice of the east'.
On the way worship the major shrines starting with:
Janardhan Swamy Temple, Varkala
A 2000 year old Shrine of Lord Vishnu, highly regarded by the Vaishnavas... The architecture here is quite exceptional.
On reaching Haripad via Kollam, offer worship at:
Naga Raja Temple, Mannarsala
Kerala's most prestigious Temple - totally dedicated to snake worship, Mannarsala is more or less a place of mystery where supernatural holds hands with natural. Believed to be founded by the legend Parashuram, Mannarsala is renowned for special poojas (rituals) such as, removal of 'sarpa dosha' (curse of the snakes), boon for childbirth, etc. Countless stories of snakebite-cures and other miracles are associated with this mysterious abode.
Lord Subramanya Temple, Haripad
A spectacular Temple, enshrining a huge idol of Lord Subramanya - which is believed to have been worshiped by the great Parashuram! The Temple is not only striking for its architectural & sculptural works but also for the huge peacock (vehicle of Lord Subramanya) cage and the colorful Kaavadi dances.
Drive along and seek blessings at:
Lord Sree Krishna Temple, Ambalappuzha
A Temple rich in legend and tradition, here Lord Krishna is worshipped as Unnikanna - Lord's child form. What makes the Temple stand out is its offering - the Ambalappuzha Paalpayasam - a dish with unparalleled taste, eventually acquiring a phenomenal dimension!
Lord Dharma Sastha Temple, Thakazhy
An antique shrine dedicated to Lord Dharma Sastha (another form of Lord Ayyappa). This Temple is widely known for its offering - Valyaenna (a kind of seed oil), a legendary product! This serves as a cure for devotees suffering from various diseases, especially rheumatic pains.
On reaching Alappuzha, conclude this day's worship at:
Mullakkal Devi Temple, Alappuzha
Regarded as the most legendary Temple in 'the Venice of the east', this is the abode of Sri Raja Rajeswari - the supreme form of Parasakthi (Goddess). Nestled in the heart of the town, this Temple is noted for its mega festivals, the Navarathri and Chirappu. In no other Devi Temple (in Kerala), the Chrirappu festival is celebrated as large a scale as in the Mullakkal Temple.
Transfer to your Hotel in Alappuzha. Spend time at leisure. Stay overnight at the Hotel.
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Day 3 |
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Rise early in the morning - depart from Alappuzha and drive to Kochi. En-route, start today's worship at:
Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvizha
An ancient Temple consecrated by the celebrated sage Vilwamangalam, this abode of Lord Shiva is very famous the divine prasadam which is supposed to possess medicinal and curative properties for mental illness, leprosy, dropsy, edema, etc and rejuvenate body & soul. Moreover, the kaivisha chikithsa (curing people who have ingested food from enemies - using certain indigenous medicines) at this Temple attracts large number of devotees all over.
Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala
A well known Devi Temple located in the centre of the Cherthala town. This shrine is also consecrated by the sage Vilwamangalam. It is believed that the sage found Devi's form with its head immersed in a pond full of mud, and he established a Temple at the same location. No wonder, the Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is seated below the floor level. The town is got its name from this incident - 'Cher' means Mud and 'Thala' means Head in Malayalam. Also, the prasadam offerings at this Temple - called Iratti and Thadi, is quite unique in taste.
Vadakkanappan Temple, Thuravoor
A distinctive location, where two separate Temples lie in close proximity... One is the abode of Ugra Narasimhamurthy (A fiery incarnation of Lord Vishnu - in half man, half lion form) and the other is Sudarsanamurthy (a manifestation of Lord Vishnu with the powerful weapon - Sudarsana Chakra). The deities are worshiped with equal reverence. Overall this shrine is a synthesis of a unique and mysterious divine power. Another specialty is the gigantic Anapandhal (Elephant Rostrum) - the largest in Kerala.
Deviate your route a little; to offer worship at:
Devi Temple, Chottanikkara
A prominent one among the most sacred Goddess Temples in South India! Here the deity is worshiped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning, as Bhadrakali at noon and as Durga in the evening - all major 'bhavas' (qualities) rolled in one! Moreover, worship in the adjoining Keezhkaavu Shrine is believed to rid devotees of evil influences, psychological ailments and evil spirits. Overall, a place of unmatched divine elegance!
Poornathreyasa Temple, Tripunithura
The Temple of the Royal dynasty of erstwhile Cochin State... An icon of bygone Maharaja days! The presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu, which is supposed to be installed by Arjuna - a celebrity in the epic Mahabharata.
Drive along to Kochi. On reaching the destination, conclude this day's worship at:
Lord Shiva Temple, Ernakulam
The most famous and auspicious Shiva Temple in the city! In fact the city eventually got its name from this Temple's tank - Rishinagakulam (which, according to legends was used by Sage Nagarishi to attain liberation). This name gradually changed to Ernakulam.
Later, get into your Hotel. Take a break for the rest of the day. Stay overnight at the Hotel.
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Day 4 |
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After a good sleep, rise early - vacate the Hotel and drive to Guruvayur, the Temple town. On the way worship the major shrines starting with:
Saraswathy Devi Temple, Paravoor
One of the rarest Temples in Kerala, dedicated to Saraswathy Devi - the Goddess for arts and learning... Set in the midst of a lotus pond, this celestial Temple is Kerala's answer to the Mookambika Temple in Karnataka.
Veluthattu Bhagavathy Temple, Paravoor
A peculiar Temple, where the deity 'Vadakkan Chowva Bhagavathy' is worshipped in various forms as Saraswathy, Durga, Parvathy, Lakshmi and Bhadrakali - almost all facets of Feminine Goddess!
Drive along and seek blessings at:
Lord Shiva Temple, Thiruvanchikulam
Perhaps the only Shiva Temple in Kerala that retains its ancient Tamil flavor! Here the Lord is worshiped as Uma-Maheswara (Shiva & Parvathy), whereas all other Temples have a separate sanctum for Parvathy - the Lord's consort.
Bhagavathy Temple, Kodungalloor
Believed to be the oldest Goddess Temple in Kerala, the Kodungalloor Temple boasts of rich cultural tradition. The 'Bharani festival' at this Temple is one of the grandest in the State!
Lord Rama Temple, Thriprayar
One of the most important Temples dedicated to Lord Rama! This large Temple boasts of a superb architecture with elegant Mural Paintings. Not to mention its attractive location and the rich history of traditional legends!
Koodalmanickam Temple, Irinjalakkuda
A gigantic Temple with a stunning architecture… Koodalmanickam belongs to a special category as one of the very few temples in the country dedicated to Bharatha - younger brother of Lord Rama. Here, the murals on the Temple walls and carvings in wood / stone are particularly noteworthy.
Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur
A huge Temple of Lord Shiva, nestled in the heart of Kerala's cultural capital - Thrissur. A Shrine that was held in high esteem by the former Maharajas of Cochin and its fame still remain intact. Also, the venue of the classical 'Thrissur Pooram' - Kerala's biggest festival.
Paramekkavu Devi Temple, Thrissur
This 1000+ years old Temple is one of the largest Goddess Shrines in Kerala! Also, a major participant in the grand 'Thrissur Pooram'.
Conclude this day's worship at:
Thiruvambadi Temple, Thrissur
Another antique and illustrious Temple in Thrissur… One of the major Lord Krishna Temples in the State!
Continue to Guruvayur… After reaching the destination, transfer to your Hotel in Guruvayur. Relax in an ambiance of devotion. Stay overnight at the Hotel.
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Day 5 |
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Rise early, start your early morning worship at:
Lord Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur
This 5000 years old abode of Guruvayurappan ranks amongst the holiest in India! Lord Guruvayurappan (Lord Krishna in child-form) is not just a deity, but is part of a spiritual culture of the whole Keralites - irrespective of caste or creed. This priceless Temple holds many prestigious laurels such as, the launchpad of noted art forms & literary classics, a major venue of classical music, etc. Majority of Kerala's revered sages were associated with this abode. Not to mention its significance as a venue of Hindu marriages and Annaprasanam (feeding rice to a child for the first time). Only a few Shrines match in ambience and heritage!
Carry on your prayers at:
Lord Shiva Temple, Mammiyoor (Guruvayur)
A legend of a Temple - an abode of Lord Shiva, in fact, older than the celebrated Guruvayurappan Temple! Though somewhat overshadowed by its mighty neighbor, Mammiyoor Temple owns a special slot in legacy as an instrumental abode in establishing the Guruvayurappan Temple. Devotees who come to Guruvayurappan Temple customarily visit this Temple too.
Lord Parthasarathy Temple, Guruvayur
Another noteworthy Temple, lying close to the Guruvayurappan Temple… The deity here is Lord Krishna as the Charioteer of Arjuna - e la epic Mahabharata.
Time for the 'spiritual climax' with worship at:
Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Guruvayur
A miniature version of the legendary Tirupati Temple in Andra Pradesh State!
Your spiritual odyssey concludes at Guruvayur. Transfer from your Hotel and drive back to the Airport / Railway Station. Depart with a nourished soul.
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Conditions
The package cost is inclusive of Accommodation for a couple (taxes incl.) on room-only basis (EPAI).
Taxi is not included in the Package. If required, taxi will be arranged.
Temple visit is subject to timings (5 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm) and, is optional.
1. All packages are valid from Oct 1st 2009 to Jan 15th 2010
2. A hike of 25% will be levied in all package’s prices - from Dec 15th 2009 to Jan 15th 2010 only
3. Also, a Supplementary charge will be applicable (depending on Hotels/Resorts) on special
occasions like, Diwali, Christmas and New Year
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