A humble village neighboured by thick forests and Periyar River, Malayattoor is a very sacred Christian pilgrimage centre in Central Kerala. Malayattoor Church, located on the top of beautiful Kurisumudi hills, is regarded as one of the seven half churches founded by St. Thomas, Apostle of Christ, in 52 AD. Malayattoor Perunal the Churchs main festival falls on the 1st Sunday after Easter, an occasion cherished by Christians all over. This Church is also conferred the prestigious status by Vatican.
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Guruvayur the major pilgrim township in Keralas Thrissur district is best known for its centuries-old Lord Krishna Temple - an important pilgrim destination for thousands of devotees around the world. The deity in this temple is Unnikannan i.e., Lord Krishna in the form of a child. Guruvayur is also noted for its rich legacy. It is here that famed poets Melpathoor and Poonthanam composed their masterpieces Narayaneeyam and Jnanappana. Guruvayur is one of the chief venues for the south Indian classical music and performing arts. Besides, many cultural programs and religious discourses are conducted at this Temple. This is also an important venue for Hindu marriages - brides and grooms with hundreds of guests travel here daily to get their weddings solemnized. Guruvayur also houses one of the worlds largest Elephant Sanctuary - Punnathur Kotta. Guruvayur Temple timings - 3.00 am to 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 9.15 pm.
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Sabarimala, 70 kilometers away from Pathanamthitta district headquarters, is the abode of Lord Ayyappa Temple - one of the most celebrated pilgrim centres in India, visited by crores of devotees every year. The Temple stands on the Western Ghats mountain ranges covered with forests and is accessible only on foot. Unlike traditional Hindu Temples Sabarimala pilgrimage is unique in every aspect. This Temple is open to people of all faiths and, this is perhaps the only pilgrim centre where devotees are called after the name of deity Ayyappa. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the nearby the Pamba River before climbing to the hill-top temple. They climb the entire hill, chanting holy names of Ayyappa. After reaching the hilltop, pilgrims ascend the 18 steps of the Temple stairs to worship the Lord. Sabarimala pilgrimage starts on Mandala Pooja season, in November, and ends after the most auspicious occasion, Makara Vilakku in mid-January. The temple remains closed for the rest of the year except for the first five days of the every Malayalam month and on Vishu, in April.
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The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum to the western side was the headquarters of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom. A place of high historical significance, Keralas capital city continues to be an important commercial and political centre of the state. Thiruvananthapuram houses many cultural as well as religious centres in addition to Palaces and Museums, which holds invaluable savings from history - Napier Museum, Kaudiar Palace, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum and Sree Chitra Art Gallery are some of them. And, not to mention the world famous pilgrimage spot Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple from which the city got its name - Thiruv Anantha Puram the land of Anantha Padmanabha. Other holy shrines include Attukal Goddess Temple and Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple. Regarding the geography, Thiruvananthapuram possess beautiful beaches such as Shangumugam, Chowara beach, and neighbouring Kovalam. From the city tourist attractions like Veli tourist village, Akkulam Lake, Neyyar, Ponmudi Hills, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, are easily accessible. In short every type of travellers has something for them in this land.
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