Kottayam Pilgrim Centers

Bharananganam Pilgrimage Center :

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Bharananganam is a renowned pilgrimage center in Kottayam district located on Etumanoor Poonjar state highway. It became a world-famous pilgrimage center of Christians when Pope Benedict XVI canonized the first Indian saint Alphonsa. The mortal remains of her are kept in a chapel near St. Mary’s Church. The Church has a 1000 years old grotto of Virgin Mary.

Known as Dakshina Guruvayoor (Guruvayoor of South), Bharananganam houses a Sree Krishna Swami Temple. A legend says Pandavas and Panchali during their exile days spent some days here. Yudhishtira, the eldest one of Pandavas worshipped Lord Vishnu here and he had a mind to solemnize Dwadasi Pooja on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi day. Krishna sent a Vishnu idol to Yudhishtira in the hands of Vedavyasa Muni and Narada Muni. They bring the idol and perform Vishnu pujja for Yudhishtira.

Erumelli :

A pilgrim centre for Hindu and Muslims, Erumelli attracts a large number of pilgrims. . The Sree Dharmasastha Temple located here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The mosque is dedicated to 'Vavar' who is said to be the friend of lord Ayyappa. A festival namely 'Petta Thullal' of Kanni Ayyappa is held in December or January.

Mannanam :

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Mannanam is a Syrian Christian Centre located at a distance of 8kms from Kottayam. The St. Joseph Monastery, related with Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805-71), one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala is located here. The St. Joseph Press established in 844 is located here.

Ettumanoor :

Ettumanoor is 12 kms north of Kottayam. The ancient Shiva Temple located here has exquisite mural paintings and sculptures. The Archaeological dept.of Kerala state government opened a mural art centre near the temple. This temple celebrates an annual festival in the months of February or March.

Other Religious Centers in Kottayam :

Kottayam has more religious places of worship which are visited by large number of devotees. The other centers are Changanachery Thrikodithanam Temple, Mahadevar Temple, Pundareekapuram Temple, Shiva Temple, Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple, St. Mary's Church, Kuravilangad and Valiyapalli Church and Cheryapall.