Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Temple Packages

Temple Package

This package includes a tour of most of the important temples in south India.the temple package with kerala gives you a chance to go on a pilgrimage to thetemples that were built thousands of years ago.
  • Holy trip to Guruvayur , on every first day of Malayalam month.
GURUVAYOOR TEMPLE

Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of kerala. This is probably the only temple in the state that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice feeding ceremonies (the ritual first meal for infants).
The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local belief, the temple was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of winds'.
In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham' (flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brillant spectacle, when lit.
The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple
  • Thirvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple Packages

Thiruvairanikulam Mahadev Temple is 15 km south of Aluva in Ernakulam District and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The deity faces towards east and there is a separate shrine for his consort, Goddess Parvati. There is a Nandi facing Lord Shiva in front of the mandapam. An idol of Lord Ganapati is seen facing east in the nearby lawn. Other deities within the temple compound are Lord Ayyappa and Lord Vishnu towards the east and Goddess Satidevi and Goddess Durga to the west.


A unique feature of this temple is that the shrikovil of Devi Parvati's idol is opened only for 12 days in a year, from the Thiruvathira asterism in the month of Dhanu. During this occasion, huge crowds flock from across the states to the shrine. There is a temple well and to the south of it, one can see a cave, where Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared.
The festival time occurs on the Thiruvathira asterism of the Malayalam month of Kumbha (February–March). The eight-day festival also includes Arattu. Another eight-day festival is celebrated during Ashtamirohini. Other festivals celebrated are Pradishta Divasom (day of deity installation), Mandala festival, Vishu, Naga Pradishta and Navaratri.
The temple can be reached from Kaladi by traveling 5 km on Chowara - Kalady road to reach Sreemoolanagaram. From there take a 1.5 km route through Vallam road, and then a deviation to right to Akavoor-Thiruvairanikulam road for another 1.5 km to reach the temple. Frequent buses ply from Aluva, Perumbavoor, Angamaly, Chalakudi and Ernakulum to the temple. The nearest railhead is at Aluva.

http://http://www.thiruvairanikkulam.com/legend.htm)

CHOTTANIKKARA TEMPLE

Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, is one of the most popular deities in Kerala.
On way is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The goddess is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu.
People who have mental illness seek refuge in the divine mother, who graciously cures all her devotees. Goddess Rajarajeswari is the presiding deity.
This deity is worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue.
The image in the shrine is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground.
SABARIMALA

This holy shrine, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. The sanctum sanctorum nestles 914 m above sea level, amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats.
The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. Regardless of caste, creed, colour, they wear black dhotis and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice.
The Sabarimala Temple festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Ayyapan who is revered by all in India. There are two main pujas called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which are celebrated from November to Middle of January in Kerala, during which time the devotees perform austerities and penance

VADAKKUMNATHAN TEMPLE

Vadukkumnnatha is a prominent Shiva temple, in downtown Thrissur, Kerala. This is one of Kerala's most ancient shrines, which also houses a museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of immense historical value.
The 'Pooram festival, falling in April/ May, attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world. It is a spectacular event, combining the majestic elephant pageantry with the frenzied playing of drums and cymbals and rounded off with a fireworks extravaganza.

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