Top 3 Kerala monuments

Kerala is jeweled with rich culture, heritage buildings and rest of the other tourist hot spots. There are a number of allures which are dotted in every corner of the God’s own country. Some of the lures are temples, beaches, backwaters, houseboats, Ayurvedic health centers, verdant areas and so on. At here, you can also find out various monuments which include churches, temples, forts, mansions, palaces, mosques and lots more. Some of the major Kerala monuments are Jewish Synagogue, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, Bekal Fort, Koyikkal Palace etc. Additionally, during your journey you will be left marveled at aesthetic architecture manifested in imperial monuments and mansions.

Now, we will talk about top 3 monuments in Gods’ own country in brief:

1. Jewish Synagogue Cochin

Located: Cochi (Kochi) in Kerala

Visiting hours: Open every day barring Saturdays from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm

How to reach: Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, 10km away from Ernakulam Junction (Railway Station) and it is also well connected with Mattancherry and other neighboring cities.

Jewish Synagogue Cochin was built by Jewish trading community in 1568 A.D. It is one of the oldest synagogues of India. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. Besides you may easily look for some other charms like the Blue Chinese tile, Belgian chandeliers, impressive furnishings and so on. The architecture design of this Synagogue is very tremendous. All such attractions of this monument make a very gripping sight for the visitors.

2. Thripunithura Hill Palace

Located: Near Tripunithura in Kochi

Visiting hours: open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Mondays

How to reach: 30 km from Cochin International Airport and 10 km away from Ernakulam Railway Station.

Tripunithura Hill Palace built in 1865, was the official residence of the royal family of Kochi (Cochin). But, in present era it is a heritage museum which depicts the royal relics like royal furniture, Sinhasana (the throne or the king's chair), paintings, coins, manuscripts, inscriptions, murals, sculptures in stone and many more. In addition, you can also look for few antique pieces of pottery, ceramic vases from Japan and China, rock cut caves from the past era of Iron Age, wooden temples and models of objects from Harappa and Mohanjodaro.

3. Padmanabhapuram Palace

Located: Thuckalay in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu and 63kms from Thiruvananthapuram

Visiting hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays.

How to reach: Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram city and nearest railway station is at Nagercoil, around 15 km and local station is Iraniel, approx 6 km from the palace.

Padmanabhapuram Palace was built in around 1601 A.D. It was the home of the Rajas of Travancore in southern Kerala. It is surrounded by a 4 km-long stone fort that was built at the same time. Here, you may explore various antiques such as 17th and 18th century murals, the musical bow in mahogany, windows with colored mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, Belgian mirror, pictures of Lord Krishna, granite dance halls, special black shiny floors etc. During your travel to this wonderful palace, you would get the superb experience of admiring the traditional wooden architecture of Kerala’s palaces.

Kerala Temples- Best Places for Worship

Most of the visitors are keen to known about various temples of Kerala. There are so many shrines in Kerala such as Sabarimala temple, Vadakkumnathan temple, Guruvayur temple, Padmanabhaswamy temple and many more. All these holy places are designed very gracefully. Thus, the Kerala temples are the best suited visiting places for the global devotees. Let us talk about few Kerala Temples as follows:

Sabarimala Temple

This temple is situated in the Western Ghat peak ranges of Pathanamthitta area in Kerala. This holy place is devoted to the Lord Ayyappa. The exciting fact is that, this temple does not open throughout the year. This holy place does not open for worship only during the festive seasons of Makaravilakku, Mandalapooja and Chitra Vishnu. The Sabarimala temple is designed truly elegantly. Hence, the Sabarimala Temple is very popular among the global devotees.

Guruvayur Temple

This temple is situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala. This temple is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. This shrine is blessed with a magnificent image of Lord Krishna with four arms holding a mace, a lotus, a conch and a discus. The icon of Lord Krishna has made up from the special stone like Patala Anjana. You can also cherish wonderful statues of the Lord Krishna, amazing architectures, beautiful paintings and so on. However, Guruvayur Temple has special significance for the Vishnu’s devotees.

Vadakkumnathan Temple

This temple is one of the ancient holy places of the South India. It is located in Kerala. This temple is devoted to the Lord Shiva. There are many images or statutes of Lord Shiva which are designed really gracefully in this temple. Basically, there are four gopurams which are surrounded with every side of the temple. Thus, Vadakkumnathan Temple has exceptional importance for the Shiva’s lovers.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Padmanabhaswamy temple is a well known shrine of Kerala. This temple is devoted to the Lord Vishnu. This temple is rich with varied wonderful images or sculptures of the Lord Vishnu which are decorated with gold and precious stones. This temple is designed truly attractively. Hence, Padmanabhaswamy Temple has special importance for the Vishnu’s devotees.

In nutshell, Kerala temples are the most wonderful holy places in all over the world.