Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is situated on a hilltop amidst eighteen hills at an altitude of 480 m (1,574 ft) above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest, part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, around the temple is known as Poongavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal, Kalaketty, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills.
Guruvayur Temple is an important and popular pilgrimage in Kerala. Located in Guruvayur town of Thrissur district, Guruvayur Temple is easily accessible by regular bus services that are available throughout the state of Kerala. The nearest airport is sited as Kochi that lies at a distance of 90 kms from Guruvayoor. Thrissur comprises the nearest railway station at a run of 29 kms from the temple. Guruvayur Temple is supposed to have been 5,000 years old. In those times, it was known as “Bhooloka Vaikunta” (Abode of God on Earth). The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is also known by the name of Guruvayoorappan.
Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as per belief is located at a place that is considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. There are references to the temple in texts like the Puranas, viz. the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The temple stands close to the holy tank – Padma Theertham, which means ‘lotus spring.’ The idol of the presiding deity of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is noted for its composition, which has 12008 salagramams, which were brought from Nepal, taken from the banks of the River Gandhaki.
Chottanikkara temple, dating back to early 10th century, is situated about 18 km from the city. Here, Goddess Bhagavathy is worshipped in three forms – Saraswathi, Bhadrakali and Durga. It is believed that mentally ill patients who come to the temple and pray to the goddess will be cured by her. Near the temple, one can see a tree covered with long nails. These nails have been hammered in by devotees using their foreheads only. This practice is believed to have the effect of permanently disabling the evil spirit residing in the patient’s body and causing his mental imbalance. Bhajana – staying at the temple premises for a period of time for the purpose of engaging in prayer and meditation– is also seen.