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Kerala is rightfully called “God’s Own Country”. It is a land of culture, spirituality, and scenic beauty. Several temples prevail in this serene landscape of Kerala and have deities with different names. Out of these, the temples of Mahishasura Mardini hold a special symbolisation of victory of good over evil. Hop on a spiritual journey as we explore 10 beautiful Mahishasura Mardini temples in Kerala, each offering a unique blend of spiritual essence and architectural grandeur.
10 Mahishasura Mardini Temples In Kerala
Let’s get into ten of the most famous Mahishasura Mardini temples in Kerala, each with unique spiritual feelings and cultural heritage. These temples include:
1. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
Among the most famous shrines in Thiruvananthapuram is the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, where the Goddess Mahishasura Mardini is worshipped as Attukal Amma. This temple is the most famous in Kerala and is renowned for hosting the Attukal Pongala festival. The festival, held every year in February and March, draws millions of women to this place from all parts of the world to make Pongala, a sweet rice dish, in small earthen pots as an offering to the goddess. The temple radiates traditional Kerala style in architecture with fine carvings in wood and stone.
Best Time To Visit: February-March during Attukal Pongala
Major Attractions: Attukal Pongala festival, traditional architecture, serene surroundings
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kerala
2. Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
A significant temple dedicated to Goddess Mahishasura Mardini, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, is located in Kerala. This goddess is considered to have great healing powers, and thus, the temple attracts hundreds of devotees to cure themselves of physical and mental illnesses. The annual “Makom Thozhal” festival, conducted in March, is another major festival when the deity is decorated and special poojas are performed. The temple complex shows a fine example of the traditional architecture of Kerala, known for its ornate carvings, majestic gopurams, and serene atmosphere.
Best Time To Visit: March during the Makom Thozhal festival
Major Attractions: Healing rituals, Makom Thozhal festival, beautiful idol decorations
3. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Vis M / Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to the goddess Mahishasura Mardini, the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is one of the ancient and most famous temples situated in the Thrissur district. The temple’s history is ancient and deeply attached to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Kerala. This temple has unique rituals, vibrant processions, and enthusiastic merriment, which is marked especially in the Bharani festival, commonly held in March or April. The temple’s traditional style of Kerala architecture, beautiful murals, and rich history make it an exciting place to visit for spiritual and cultural experiences.
Best Time To Visit: March-April during the Bharani festival
Major Attractions: Bharani festival, ancient rituals, historical significance
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4. Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Challiyan / Wikimedia Commons
Situated in Thrissur, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is another significant temple of Mahishasura Mardini. The temple becomes part of the well-known Thrissur Pooram festival, with a grand procession of elephants, spectacular fireworks, and many cultural performances. Thrissur Pooram is one of the most important temple festivals in Kerala. A single view of the temple is enough to showcase the conventional structure. The temple’s surroundings are filled with intricate wood carvings and elaborate murals.
Best Time To Visit: April-May during Thrissur Pooram
Major Attractions: Thrissur Pooram festival, elephant procession, traditional architecture
5. Pisharikkavu Temple
Photo: Ajeeshkumar4u / Wikimedia Commons
Pisharikkavu Temple is an ancient temple in Kozhikode of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini. The temple is particularly famous for its festival in April, during which the ambience is a massive gathering of devotees enjoying traditional music, dance, and other cultural performances. The surroundings of greenery make the place a quiet escape for spiritual minds. The style of architecture is typically Keralan with lavish carvings and colourful murals. The goddess is considered very powerful in terms of protection and healing. Many devotees visit the goddess to get her blessings and relief from ailments.
Best Time To Visit: April during the annual festival
Major Attractions: Annual festival, cultural performances, serene environment
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6. Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Sasthamcotta / Wikimedia Commons
Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathy Temple, considered one of the ancient holy pilgrim centres, is in Kannur. It is popularly known as Madayi Kavu and is dedicated to the divine mother goddess, Lord Mahishasura Mardini. This important temple has become famous primarily because of the “Pooram” festival in March or April every year. The festival combines colourful processions, traditional rituals, and vibrant cultural programs. Its location amidst scenic beauty and lush greenery with rolling hills in the background makes the setting very tranquil and perfect for worshipping.
Best Time To Visit: March-April during the Pooram festival
Major Attractions: Pooram festival, scenic surroundings, traditional rituals
7. Pulleppady Sree Mahishasura Mardini Temple
Photo: Govind Krishnan / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The splendid classical architecture of Pulleppady Sree Mahishasura Mardini Temple offers quite a peaceful ambience that takes one’s breath away. The temple has an enthusiastic series of cultural as well as spiritual events that entice visitors and devotees equally. It includes the yearly celebration of festivals in February or March with traditional rituals, cultural performances, and joyful celebrations. Green and beautiful surroundings provide peaceful moments during meditation.
Best Time To Visit: February-March during the annual festival
Major Attractions: Traditional architecture, peaceful ambience, cultural events
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8. Punnainallur Mariamman Temple
Photo: Nittavinoda / Wikimedia Commons
Punnainallur Mariamman Temple is located in Palakkad and is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. The temple is very noticeable due to the festivals that characterise it and the beautiful idol of the goddess. The silent nature and tranquil atmosphere have made this temple a favourite place for pilgrimage among the devotees, with maximum numbers seeking blessings and spiritual solace. The annual festival, celebrated every April, displays traditional rituals, cultural performances, and festive celebrations.
Best Time To Visit: April during the annual festival
Major Attractions: Colourful festivals, serene environment, beautifully adorned idols
9. Meenkulathi Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Meenkulathi Bhagavathy Temple, in Palakkad, is of the deity Mahishasura Mardini, which protects its visitors from all evil. The temple is in a locality that presents natural surroundings, tranquillity, and an incredibly serene atmosphere for worship and meditation. The annual festivals occur in March or April and people celebrate it with various rituals, cultural performances, and traditional festivities. Thematically, the temple is in a traditional Kerala style, teeming with many intricate carvings and colourful murals, which only heighten the spiritual ambience.
Best Time To Visit: March-April during the temple festival
Major Attractions: Powerful deity, serene surroundings, natural beauty
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10. Thiruvarppu Sree Krishna Temple
Photo: Ranjith Siji / Wikimedia Commons
This temple is dedicated mainly to Lord Krishna. However, Thiruvarppu Temple in Kottayam also enshrines Mahishasura Mardini and receives worshippers who come to receive blessings from the powerful goddess. It is famous for its unique rituals and the grand annual festival, which falls in April or May, wherein large processions comprising famous cultural arts are carried out. The temple has greenery and undulating hills that calm the minds and souls of the people who return after offering their prayers in the temple with spiritual peace and blessing.
Best Time To Visit: April-May during the annual festival
Major Attractions: Unique rituals, grand festivals, and cultural performances
The Mahishasura Mardini temples of Kerala are not merely places of worship; they are sanctuaries of peace and spiritual enrichment, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. So, pack your bags, don your traditional attire, and explore the most famous and oldest Mahishasura Mardini temples in Kerala. Discover comprehensive tour packages for a hassle-free experience with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash
