Most important Temples in Thiruvananthapuram: Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Attukal Bhagawati, Sreekanteswaram, Karikkakom Sri Chamundi, Pazhavangadi Ganapathi, Mukkalkkal Sri Varaham Bhagawati, Sri Pazhanchira Devi, Venkatachalapathy Temple Trivandrum

There are numerous temples in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram, previously called as Trivandrum, is an ancient city with its tradition dating back to 1000 BC. ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ literally means the ‘City of Lord Anantha’. Anantha refers the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu rests. The temple of Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, called the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, is the important landmark of the city. Below is the list of the most important Temples in Trivandrum.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Thiruvananthapuram

The ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram district. Constructed in the Dravidian style by a maharaja of Travancore in 1733, the temple faces the Padma Theertham Tank. The idol of the deity is 18 ft in length and is seen reclining on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. Lord Padmanabhaswamy is viewed through three different doors. The head and torso is seen through the first opening, the midriff and hands through the second door and the feet are visible through the third door. More information in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple website.

Attukal Bhagawati Temple

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is located at Attukal, about 2 km away from Trivandrum city. Attukal temple is a famous Trivandrum Temple, which is regarded as the ‘Sabarimala of Women’. According to traditions, Attukal Bhagvathi is the divinized form of Kannaki, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Attukal Pongala festival, celebrated here in the month of February - March, is a ten days long celebration and meant exclusively for women. More info about Attukal Devi Temple here.

Sreekanteswaram Temple

Srikanteswaram Temple is one of the famous Lord Shiva temples in Trivandrum, situated just a kilometer from East Fort. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Sreekanteswaran (the lord of Sreekanteswaram). The temple is within walking distance from Sri Padmanabhaswami Kshetram. Read more about Sreekanteswaram Temple in Trivandrum here.

Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Temple

The temple is situated 7 km east of Thiruvandanthapuram. The main deity is goddess Chamundi Devi. Other deities found here are Rektha Chamundi, Bala Chamundi, Sastha, Vinayaka and Yogeshwara. Various rituals such as Bali Sadhya, Nirayum Puthiriyum, Uthrada Taneerkuda, Kodi Charthu, Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja, Karthika Vilakku, Ayilyam Ootu, Sasta Pratishta Dinam, Ulsava Mahamagam and Vishu Kani are performed here. Kodi Charthu is an important ritual where the devotees offer yellow attire to the goddess.

Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple

Pazhavangadi Ganapati Temple is one of the main Lord Ganesh temples in Trivandrum, situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. The temple enshrines a small idol of Lord Ganesha with the right leg in the folded posture. Read more about Pazhavangadi Temple in Trivandrum here.

Mukkalkkal Sri Varaham Bhagawati Temple

This temple lies at Mukkolakkal in Manakad, 2 km from the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The presiding deity is goddess Bhagawati and sub-deities are Lord Ganapathy, Nagar and Brahma Rakshas. There is an idol with eight manifestations made of Panchaloha (five metals) facing north.

Sri Pazhanchira Devi Temple

This is a 700 years old temple, situated at Pazhanchira in the side of Kovalam road. Aiswarya Mahalakshmi Pooja, conducted every full moon day, is the main ritual here. A 7-day festival in the month of Meenam (March/April) is celebrated in great pomp.

Venkatachalapathy Temple Trivandrum

Sree Venkatachalapathy Temple is one of the few temples in Trivandrum, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (Venkatachalapathy or Perumal). The temple is situated on the southern side of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Apart from Lord Vishnu, the temple houses the idols of Alamelu Mangai Thayar, Padmasini Thayar, Navaneetha Krishnar (Santhana Gopalan), Peria Thiruvadi, and Garuda.