Paravur Temples

The old temples of North Paravur, Chendamangalam and Moothakunnam are covered in this circuit. They include Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple, Kannankulangara Temple, Moothakunnam Temple, Bhagavathi Temple, Krishna Temple, Shiva Temple, Konkani Kshetram, Kunnathu Thali Kshetram, Arankavu Temple and Shrivelliselly Temple.

Kannankulangara Temple: It is the temple for Lord Krishna and is about 600 years old. There is a belief that those who are childless will be blessed after they tie a cradle from the temple roof and worship Lord Krishna. Those, whose marriages are delayed, come and pray in this temple.

Mookambika Temple: A temple for Goddess Saraswathi – the goddess of art and learning is rare in Kerala. It was built by a local ruler, the Thampuran of Paravur, with a Shrikovil in the middle of a lotus pool. The famous annual Navarathri festival is celebrated in grandeur, over ten days during the month of Kanni, which falls between September and October. On Durgashtami, books are placed before Goddess Saraswathi and on Vijayadasami morning, the 'Ezhuthinirithu' or 'Vidyarambham' ceremonies are done at a special mandapam, when thousands of children utter the word “harishree” for the first time, and write it on rice, seeking the blessing of the goddess.

Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple: This temple is located a few meters from the National Highway. Four small temples of Shri Raman, Hanuman, Shri Krishna and Ayyappa are near it. The annual festival is conducted during Medam month, which is during April and May. The temple has idols of Goddess Parvathy, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Yakshi.

Shrivelliselly Temple: This temple was built by the lower caste people of Karimpadam as they were not allowed to enter the temples of the higher castes.

Arankavu Temple Complex: A Sastha Temple and a Subramania Temple are found in this Arankavu Temple complex. These temples were built during the 17th century. The Subramania Temple or the Kanda is reported to be centuries old. It is said that Sri Chattambi swamikal did penance here. Even now thaipooyam is celebrated with abhishekams done on the sacred idol with milk, honey, panineer and oil. These temples are presently under the maintenance of Paliam Trust.

Kunnathu Thali Temple: This temple was built during the 18th century and is maintained by the Paliam Trust. The shrine has a prominent place in the ancient scheme of the 108 Shiva shrines. Of the 18 and a half Talis, this is the place where a monarch took solemn decisions with the Lord as witness.

Shri Venugopala Krishnaswamy Temple: The main deity of this temple is Lord Krishna. It was built in 1900 by the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins Trust, when Paliath Achan donated the land to them. Many Konkani people have settled around the temple.

Chendatrikkovu Vishnu temple: This temple was built during the 18th century and it is said that the village derived its name from it. The main deity here is Lord Krishna. The annual festival or ‘Ulsavam’ lasts for seven days after Kodikayattam. The antiquity and fame of this Narasimha temple is evident from the reference in "Vishnuvilasam", a rare poetic composition by Kunchan Nambiar's nephew, Ramapanivadan and the mention of it in "Kokila Sandesam" by the versatile scholar, Udhanda Sastrigal. The temple is now maintained by the Paliam trust.

Puthiyatrikkovu (Shiva) Temple: This temple is close to the Paliam Tharavad. Its main deity is Vaikkathappan. The story goes that the Paliath Achan offered prayers at the famous Shiva temple at Vaikom, in Kottayam district, on the last day of every month and the first day of the following month. During one of his visits, he had a premonition that he would not visit the temple again due to his failing health. So, before going home, he had a bath in the pond near his house, which is now the temple pond, and when he went to take his umbrella, from the bank of the pond, found to his surprise, that he could not lift the umbrella off the ground. It was as if a divine force prevented him from taking his umbrella. Astrologers concluded that the divine force was the Lord of Vaikom himself who had accompanied the ardent devotee Paliath Achan. Sree Vaikathappan Temple, also known as Puthiyathrikovu temple, was built to commemorate this event. Shivarathri falls during the annual festival of this temple. Vaikath Ashtami is also celebrated here.

Bhagavathi Temple: The annual temple festival lasts seven days, from the first day after Kodikayattam. This Balabhadrakali shrine stands near the Chendamangalam Panchayat office. Many people find the "Swayamvara Pushpanjali" performed here, to gain a suitable partner in life yields results. The "Vidyarambha" for children done here is also considered to be propitious.

Shree Shankara Narayanamoorthy Temple: This temple is located at Moothakunnam Junction and is 106 years old. It was blessed by Shree Narayana Guru, a social reformer. Lord Shiva and Vishnu are featured together in this temple. The annual festival lasts for ten days during the month of February, when Shivarathri is celebrated. It is said that like the Alwaye Shiva Temple, this temple is specially sought out by devotees to perform the ‘pithrukkul karmas’.