5 Famous Temples in Trivandrum You Must Visit

Thiruvananthapuram, formerly Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala. The heritage of the city is known to go back centuries. Home to many temples and religious centres, it is visited by devotees all year round. The city of Trivandrum is also visited by numerous travellers who are willing to explore more about its strong-rooted heritage.

When you talk of the temples of Thiruvananthapuram, they have long been known for their divine ambience and fascinating architecture. They offer a sense of peace and calm the moment you enter their premises. Whether it is visiting the serene Attukal Bhagavathy Temple or going to the spectacular Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum dedicated to Lord Vishnu, people travel to the famous temples in Trivandrum from far and wide. Some seek spiritual fulfilment while others wish to explore the temples for their intriguing architecture. Whatever be the reason, you can consider visiting these temples for an altogether unique kind of trip. And for this, you can always choose a Thiruvananthapuram tour package that includes a visit to these temples.

Here’s a carefully curated list of the famous temples in Thiruvananthapuram that you absolutely must visit on your Kerala trip: -

1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple

One of the temples that should definitely find a mention on your list of famous temples to visit in Trivandrum is the Anantha Padmanabha Temple or the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is embellished in gold-plated covering. The Gopuram, which is the tower located at the temple’s entrance, also has gold plating. When you visit the temple, you see that the Dravidian style of architecture is prominent.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Famous for its impeccable look and impressive structure, the holy shrine is known to be one of the 108 abodes of Lord Vishnu. As opposed to other temples of Lord Vishnu, he is worshipped here in the posture of “Anantha Shayanam”. When you visit the temple, you will also notice two more shrines that are of Lord Ugra Narasimha and Lord Krishna.

Numerous devotees are known to throng the Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Trivandrum on various occasions. At the same time, the temple also sees a huge number of tourists who wish to know more about its architecture. Constructed as a replica of the Adikesavaperumal Temple in Thiruvattar, this famous temple of Thiruvananthapuram is known to have existed since the 1^st day of Kali Yuga as per the belief of devotees.

All in all, the Padmanabha Swamy Temple is Trivandrum’s important attraction and you can definitely consider visiting it. One can offer their prayers to Lord Vishnu and gaze at the marvellous structure of the temple.

2. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple can be the next stop in your list of famous temples to visit in Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is not only famous in southern India but throughout the country as well. One can easily reach the temple as it is about 2 km from Thiruvananthapuram central.

Many consider visiting the temple and praying to Attukal Devi as a life-changing experience. Several devotees say that the goddess is known to bless her devotees with health, wealth, progeny, and bountiful life. A visit worth considering, right?

Attukal Bhagavathy, the principal god of the temple, is deemed to be Goddess Parvathi’s manifestation. She is portrayed to have a total of four arms with each bearing a sword, a skull, a spear, and a shield. Apart from the deity of Attukal Bhagavathy, one can also find the statues of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Kali, and Lord Shiva here. The temple can also be seen decorated with a lot of sculptures as well.

All in all, the Attukal Bhagavathy temple is known to engulf its visitors with a sense of positivity and serenity. Perched in the lap of Attukal, this is a temple in Trivandrum that you must visit. You can even tailor your trip to Trivandrum around Pongal and bear witness to the most stunning experiences of your life when you decide to visit the temple.

3. Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple is one of the most famous Ganesh temples of southern India. The main idol of this temple in Trivandrum is placed in a seated stance in which the right leg is in a folded position. Located at the East Fort, The Ganpati Temple is one of the famous temples in Trivandrum that tourists visit as a part of their Trivandrum sightseeing tour.

The temple is chiefly popular among the masses for two reasons – its unique Ganesh Idol and its jet-black colour which is a rare colour for a temple in the country. The inner walls of the temple are sculptured with the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha. You may also find it interesting to know that the most common offering or 'vazhipadu' made to Lord Ganesh in this temple is an open husked coconut cracked at the temple only.

The other deities worshipped at the Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapati Kovil are Lord Ayyappa, Nagaraja, Goddess Durga, and Brahmarakshas. Reaching this famous temple is easy from Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station and the Trivandrum Central Railway Station as it is located at a very close distance from both of them. Even the Trivandrum International Airport is about 8 km from this famous Lord Ganesh temple of Kerala.

4. Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple

The Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple is over 600 years old and contributes to the cultural diversity and the historical significance of the vibrant city of Karikkakom. Set in green environs, this ancient temple is enveloped by tall lush palms. The temple enshrines Goddess Chamundi and houses three different statues of this deity, namely Bala Chamundi, Maha Chamundi, and Raktha Chamundi.

Both the locals and tourists eagerly await the Pongala Festival that is celebrated at this temple, and numerous women gather at the temple for the seven-day celebration on a yearly basis. At the end of the celebration, the huge idol of the goddess is carried around the temple in a gorgeous gold chariot.

A visit to this temple of Thiruvananthapuram is a must if you wish to experience serenity up and close while taking in the calm surrounding of the place. You even get to explore the temple’s authentic architectural finesse. The striking Kerala style architecture is one to look out for!

5. Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple, Thottam

The Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is another temple in Trivandrum that you can visit. Located in Thottam, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Other deities include Nagraja, Lord Ganesha, and Navgraha. Surrounded by gorgeous ponds on two sides, the temple is one of the oldest in Kerala.

You can tailor your trip to Trivandrum around the Painkuni Mahotsavam festival which is an annual festival celebrated in Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple typically in the month of April. Other festivals celebrated in the temple are Pooja Vaypu, Vavu Bali, and Mandala Vratham.

Tip: If you are left with some time on your trip, you can also plan on visiting the Hanuman Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple is thronged by devotees who wish to seek integrity and strength. As Lord Hanuman is also called Sankatmochan, it is said that worshipping him will relieve a person from their worries. This is also one of the reasons why the temple draws the attention of many tourists and devotees.

Bonus Recommendation - Aazhimala Siva Temple

We also have one more recommendation for you – the Aazhimala Siva Temple in case you plan on extending your trip. The Aazhimala Siva Temple can easily be spotted from the popular Poovar Island. Situated at a distance of twenty kilometres from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is renowned for the religious significance it holds. Numerous pilgrims visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Affording a captivating view of the Arabian Sea, the temple creates a peaceful ambience and soothes your mind. Owing to the beautiful location and the wonderful countryside in which it is located, this Shiva temple in Trivandrum certainly deserves a visit.

Visiting these famous temples during your Trivandrum sightseeing tour can prove to be an enriching experience as it will provide a sneak peek into the lives of the locals and how they uphold their traditions and customs. Whether it is going to the beautiful Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum dedicated to Lord Vishnu or the Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple that is over 600 years old, Trivandrum is a wonderful surprise when it comes to its temples. In the end, one thing is for sure; you will feel revitalized inside and out.