Ernakulam

The Saivite shrine of Ernakulathappan is popular. The Lingam is said to have been worshipped by Arjuna. Ayyappankavu, , Krishna and Subramanya shrines are other important temples around.

Aluva, formerly Alwaye (21 km from Ernakulam): Sivaratri is celebrated on the banks of river Periyar for the Lingam on the sandbed.

Sri Poornathrayeesa temple, Tripunithura: Lord Krishna, seated on Adi Sesha, is said to have been installed by Arjuna. A strange feature is that the panchaloha idol does not appear to touch the ground. Offering of gingelly oil to the lamp is considered important.

Chottanikkara Rajarajeshwari temple (8 km from Tripunithura and 20 km from Ernakulam): The Goddess is worshipped as Saraswathi in the morning, clothed in white, as Bhadrakali at noon with crimson red cloth and as Durga in the evening in bright blue vastra. The Devi is worshipped along with Lord . Together They are known as Lakshminarayana. The constant chantings of Amme Narayana, Devi Narayana and Narayana rent the air around the shrine. The mentally ill and those possessed by evil spirits are brought here and they get cured. Noon prayers are very popular, particularly on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The place was orginally a cowshed, where the Devi appeared in the form of a cow to a tribal hunter. Later, the idols of Vishnu and Devi were discovered end consecrated in a temple.

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Kizhakavu is another shrine of Bhadrakali opposite to the main shrine. The possessed are brought here after some rituals and nails are driven into a jackfruit tree. Kuruthi, a lime and turmeric-mixed water, is offered to the deity to ward off evil spirits.

Festival:

Nine-day festival during Feb-March. Aaraattu ritual is conducted daily during the festival.

Other temples:

Paravur Mookambika; Kadampuzha ; Balussery Vettakkorumahan.

Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple (32 km from Ernakulam): Devi Bhagavathy, whose image was installed by sage Parasurama, was the tutelary deity of many Chera kings. The life-size image of the Goddess, holding weapons in Her eight hands and decorated with gold ornaments and flowers, is revered by devotees from all walks of life.

The temple, situated amid coconut groves, offers a serene atmosphere. Its, architecture is simple and old. The wooden ceilings have beautiful carvings.

Festivals:

Bharani festival during March-April. It was started by Parasurama under the direction of Bhadrakali. Thalapoli in Jan.

Kaladi (23 km from Alwaye & 45 km from Ernakulam): This town, on the banks of Periyar river, is the birthplace of Adi Sankara, the greatest exponent of Advaita philosophy.

The Acharya established four mutts at the four corners of the country and gave a new life to Hinduism by establishing Shanmatha Sthapanam.

Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha Narasimha Bharathi of Sringeri Mutt brought Kaladi back to its

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present glory. He built shrines for Devi Sharada, Adi Sankara and Dakshinamurthi and a Brindavanam over the samadhi of Aryamba, mother of Sankara. The shrine was consecrated in 1910 by Sri Narasimha Bharathi and renovated by successive swamijis.

The Vimanam of the Sharada temple is in Ashta Padma form representing eight petals of Hriday Kamala. The Sankara temple Vimanam is in the form of Shodasakona, representing the 16 kalas of Divinity. There is a Krishna temple installed by Sankara.

Adi Sankara Keerthi Mandapam: It is a 46-metre-tall octagonal tower constructed in honour of Sri Sankara by the Kanchi Mutt. It houses the Paduka mandapam, Geeta Upadesam Centre and temple-like structures. On the top floor, there is an imposing image of Sri Sankara with his four disciples. The walls are painted with life and works of Adi Sankara.

Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram: Established in 1936 by Sri Agamananda, it is modelled on the lines of Belur Mutt with a statue of Sri Ramakrishna (1976).

Map

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