Historic Places - Virtual Tour Index

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple : is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu reverred by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars[1] located near Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, South India.The temple is on the left bank of the Pampa River. The sacred jewels of Ayyappan (Thiruvabharanam) are taken in procession to Sabarimalai each year from Pandalam, and Aranmula Temple is one of the stops on the way. Also, the Thanka Anki (golden attire) for Ayyappa, donated by the king of Travancore, is stored here and taken to Shabarimala during the Mandala season (late December). Aranmula is also known for the watersports involving a spectacular procession of snake boats. It is also linked with legends from the Mahabharata.

Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] The Cheraman Masjid is said to be the very first mosque in India, built in 629 AD by Malik lbn Dinar. But, according to Nathan Katz, the accuracy of these claims is uncertain.[2] It is believed that this mosque was first renovated and reconstructed in the 11th century AD. Many non-Muslims conduct initiation ceremonies to the world of letters of their children here.

Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum: at Thevara, houses exhibits of Kerala’s folk arts, dances, puppetry and paintings. Besides, there is a collection of musical instruments, ornaments, carvings, lamps, masks and other artifacts. The building, exemplifying Kerala architectural style, has each of its 3 floors divided into different sections. Plus, there is a stage and hall where dance and art performances are conducted. Visitors can also interact with artists, coming from various backgrounds, who perform here. Overall, this Museum is worth a visit for anyone passionate about Kerala and its history.The Museum is located on the Thevara Ferry Road, right in the heart of the city. More : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4KZxXB3y2Y&feature=related

Krishnapuram palace : Gajendra Moksham Mural Painting

Krishnapuram Palace : Many a eyebrows would be raised if one enquires for Krishnapuram palace, so it is better to ask for Kottaram, which means palace in Malayalam. Autorikshaws are available at Railway station to take one to the palace which is 6 kms away from Kayakulam railway junction. The palace is exactly located on the outskirts of Kayakulam town on the NH 47. A visit to the palace will take us back to the memory lane of the kerala heritage in general.

Koyikkal Palace :  located at Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram houses a Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum set up by the Department of Archaeology of Kerala.

Kottayam Cheriyapally : The Kottayam Cheriyapally (small church) is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. Built and consecrated by Portuguese in 1579, the church is well preserved. The architectural style of the church is European, with galleries, pillars, cornices and pediments. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriented and western styles on bibical and non bibical thems.

Kottayam Valiyapally : The story behind the acquisition of the land wherein the church is constructed is as follows. Our forefather’s who migrated from Kaduthuruthy settled in the southern part of the then pricly state Thekkumkoor. This was the most important business place surrounded by Thazhathangady (Lower Bazar) Valiangady (Big Bazar) and Pazhaya Chanda (Old Bazaar) when our forefathers thought of constructing a church they met the rulers of Thekkumkoor. They in turn said that they will let loose their bullock laid its dung will be registered for the church. Thus the bullock and the land where the bullock laid its dung will be registered for the church. Thus the bullock went to the top of the nearby Vettarkunnu- small rocky hill and put its dung there. Therefore in Malayalam era 725 Aditya Varma and Eravimarikandar Koviladhikarikal, rulers of Thekkumkoor transferred about 2 acres of land in favor of the vicar Mathew Kathanar on the behalf of the nazarani Christians. More : http://kottayamvaliyapally.com/

Mannam Mural Art gallery : Nair Service Society initiated a unique and ambitious project to sublimate the historical events connected with the life of Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan the ever loving beloved leader of our Kerala Society. This is a tribute to the founder of Nair Service Society during the occasion of Navathi celebrations.
 

Old Seminary - Kottayam : The first Orthodox Christian school of theology in Asia, the Orthodox Seminary, was founded in 1815 at Kottayam, in the state of Kerala (ancient Malabar) by Ramban Ittoop, a priest-monk of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The learned monk from Kunnamkulam was carrying out with singular courage a major decision of the church made at Kandanadu in 1809 to start two schools of theology (Padithaveedu), one in the North and the other in the South of Kerala. Colonel John Manroe, the then British Resident in the Kingdom of Travancore offered his unreserved support for the initiative. Gowri Parvathi Bai, the queen of Travancore granted 16 acres of tax-free land, Rs.20,000 and the necessary timber for the construction of the Seminary. The work started in 1813 and the building was completed and classes begun in March 1815.The beginning of the Seminary synchronized with the coming of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) Missionaries to Kerala. For some years the relationship between the missionaries and the Church was one of cordial co-operation. The missionaries were allowed to teach English and biblical languages in the Seminary. The early missionaries who worked here - Norton, Baker, Bailey, and Fenn rendered remarkable service.

Pandavanpara -Chengannur, situated in Allappuzha dist. (Kerala).

Padmanabhapuram Palace : Padmanabhapuram palace is an ancient historical monument representing the indigenous architectural features especially in the traditional style of Southern Kerala. The palace was built by Trippapur Moopam, the head of the Trippapur Swarupam Dynasty that ruled over Padmanabhapuram. It was constructed in the 14th Century, as a mud palace in the Nalukettu style of architecture that prevailed in Kerala. The palace was restructured in the 18th Century, using granite in most of the parts of the fort, by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, King of Travancore, who named the palace Padmanabhapuram after the name of prime deity of Travancore, Lord Padmanabhaswamy.
 

Pazhassi Kudeeram : Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (Malayalam: കേരള വര്‍മ്മ പഴശ്ശി രാജ, Kerul Varma Pyche Rajah, Cotiote Rajah) (January 3, 1753 – November 30, 1805), popularly known in Kerala as Kerala Simham or Lion of Kerala, was the rebel prince regent of the Hindu feudal kingdom of Kottayam (Cotiote), which was based in modern Kannur District of Kerala, in India, and was one of principle leaders of Kotiote Palassi rebellion (Wynaad Insurrection or Cotiote War) against the English East India Company. Pazhassi Raja was a member of the Western Branch of Kottayam Royal Family and traces his relations back to the Parappanad Dynasty in southern Malabar.

Sabarimala (Malayalam: ശബരിമല) : is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year.Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Ayyappan's temple is situated here amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilackal, Kalaketi, and Karimala, remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills. Sabarimala is linked to Hindu pilgrimage, predominantly for men of all ages. Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since the story attributed to Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. This is because Ayyappan is a Bramachari (Celibate). The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (approximately November 15 to December 26), Makaravilakku (January 14- "Makara Sankranti") and Vishu (April 14), and the first six days of each Malayalam month.

Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple : In Kottayam-Kumarakom route near Uppoottikavala stop in Thazhathangadi of Kottayam town situates this famous temple with main idol Siva. The idol has good size and height. Shrine is round in shape facing west. Five poojas daily and Thazhamon Madom do the Tantries. Sub deities are Ganapathy, Subramanya, Sasthavu, Naga, and Rakshas. 10 days festival from 1'1 of Medam. This temple was the capital temple of Thekkumkoor Raja. There was a fort around the temple and became famous in that name 'Thaliakotta'. There was a history that there was a cave from the pond of the temple. It is also a history that Syrian Christian family'Uppoottil' were brought and settled here to clean the oil brought to this temple by touching it. Thiruvathamkoor Devaswom board owns this temple now.

 Thanjavur Art Gallery : These are religious paintings with royal heritage of South India. Mythology is the common theme running through these paintings. This form of art evolved and flourished under the patronage of Hindu rulers, Nayaks and Marathas in the 17th and 18th centuries in Thanjavur of Tamilnadu. These paintings adorn the royal dwellings and later found way to most of the Hindu households. The breadth taking craftsmanship is executed on cloth backed by wood. Liberal use of gold leaf, precious and semi precious stones present a splendid visual treat.  More : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyxw5ZG9pV0&feature=related
 

Thazhathangady Heritage,Kottayam

Thrissur Pooram ; is called 'the pooram of all poorams' (festival). It is the biggest of all poorams held in Kerala state. The Thrissur pooram, is celebrated every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may) as per the malayalam calendar. While all poorams have a huge influence on surrounding neighborhoods and towns, few other festivals require their active involvement. Thrissur town plays host, for 36 hours from the wee hours of the pooram day, to one of the most largest collection of people and elephants. The richly decorated elephant, as seen during the Thrissur pooram, is now globally recognized, and its association with Kerala. On the pooram day, fifty (50) or more elephants pass through the very center of Thrissur town, the Vadakkunnathan temple. The main features of the pooram (festival) are these decorated elephants with their nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), beautifuliy crafted kolam, decorative bells and ornaments etc. Add to this is the panchavadyam, the rhythmic beating of the drum, and what would be a cacophony otherwise is turned into an organized but spontaneous symphony. The fireworks display in the early hours of the next day, rival shows held anywhere in the world, without even using many of the modern and newer pyrotechnics.  (More : http://thrissurpooram.com/ )

Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid : is one of the famous tourist attractions of Kottayam in Kerala. The Juma Masjid of Thazhathangadi is historically very important as it is not only one of the oldest mosques in Kerala, but the whole of India. It is believed by many historians, that Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid was constructed some 10 centuries ago by Habib Dinar who was Malik Dinar's son and was responsible for the introduction of Islam in the country.