Religious history of the district

In the ancient days, the people followed an independent religious philosophy related with Dravidian practices. Around 3rd Century B.C., Jainism and Buddhism came into the district. It was the Jainism that set foot in the region. For more than 700 years, Buddhism flourished in the southern region of Kerala. Influence of Buddhism was more in Kollam and Alappuzha districts than any other regions of Kerala. The Kavus (sacred groves) existed throughout these districts were once the Buddhist shrines. These sacred groves were not mere worship places but also educational institutions and martial training centres known as Kalari. Now almost all these sacred groves have been converted into temples. Revival of Hinduism by Brahmin scholars in 800-1000 AD gradually wiped out Buddhism from Kerala. Some argue that Buddha continued to be worshipped as Sastha or Ayyappa in Kerala and the recital of Swami Sharanam has been derived from Budham Sharanam. Efforts of Sri Sankaracharya and Bhakthi movement donated much for the promotion of Hinduism. However, a stratified society formed in Kerala causing divisions based on caste and social evils like untouchability. People belonging to lower castes were not allowed to enter temples. Chattambi Swamikal and Sree Narayana Guru, two renowned saints played significant roles for uplifting the down-trodden and against the evil practices in the society. Sree Narayana Guru even consecrated idols of deities by himself at a time when lower castes were denied permission to enter into temples. Agitations like Vaikom Sathyagraha, Guruvayur Sathyagraha for temple entry and revolutionary movements that took place in the early 20th century paved path to Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 by the Maharajah of erstwhile Travancore. Thereby the temples of erstwhile Travancore were opened to all Hindu believers irrespective of caste.  

Some of the temples in the district maintain certain peculiarities. The Prabrhma Temple at Oachira having no sanctum sanctorum and deity; rituals like Anaval Piditham (catching of the tail of elephant) at the Umayanallur Subramanya temple; Chamaya Vilakku festival at Kottankulangara Temple where hundreds of men disguised as women holding decorated lamps and offer prayers to the deity,  Thrikkalyanam (holy marriage) of Lord Sastha at the Achankovil Sastha Temple, wedding of Banyan tree and Neem that held once in 12 years at the Maha Ganapathy Temple at Kottarakkara are some of them.

Christianity came to Kerala in 52 A.D. One of the seven and half churches that Apostle Thomas established in Kerala is at the ancient Kollam port known as Tarsish (Thevalakara). In fact, the Tarsish-a-palli plates from King Kulshekara of Kollam laid the foundation of Christianity as a religion in Kerala. Islam religion spread in the district after 7th Century A.D.  The Jonakappuram Valiya Palli (Major Mosque) is the second among the mosques that established by missionaries to spread the ideals of Islam in Kerala. Muslims constitute a major portion of the population in the district. Communal harmony and religious tolerance are the remarkable characteristics of the people of the district. . Important temples of the district are listed below.

Antiquity and deities:

Antiquity of the temples of district cannot be determined in terms of age of the idol or structures of the temple. The antiquity of each temple may, therefore, be decided based on legend or history. The deities of the district are mainly Goddess Bhadrakali or Bhagavathy, Lord Vishnu, Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Lord Sastha etc based on various kalpa or sankalpa (concept). Combination of kalpa (concept) such as Sankara-Narayana etc. is also there. According to the available sources, Durga temples constitute largest number in the district. About 31 per cent of temples are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Bhagavathy/Bhadrakali). About 24 per cent of the temples are dedicated to Lord Siva while 18 per cent are Vishnu temples. Temples of Sastha Kalpa constitute 16 per cent. Temples of Subramanya Kalpa, Ganapathy Kalpa, combined Kalpa etc. constitute 11 per cent.

Administration:

In ancient periods, King or local chieftains are owned and administered temples. Some of the temples were owned by madams, tharawads or individuals. The present Kollam district was under the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. The area spreading from Kanyakumari at south to Angamali at north was under the regency of Maharaja of Travancore. During the regime of Regent Rani Gouri Lekshmi Bai (1810-1815), foreign supremacy was at its peak and Col.Munro, the British Resident brought all the 1471 temples of Travancore under the control of Government. In 1904, Travancore Religious & Endowment Regulation established control over the temples. In 1922 a separate department was formed exclusively to look after the matters of temples. After independence the Government of Travanocre–Cochin formed Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board and administrative control of all temples have been transferred to the Devaswom Boards. Travancore Devaswom Board controls more than 1200 temples of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and parts of Ernakulam districts. Though majority of temples are under the administrative control of Travancore Devaswom Board, a good number of temples are still governed by Trusts, committees of local people, spiritual organizations, individuals etc.

Temples governed by Travancore Devaswom Board

Sl.No.	Name of Temple	Location	Taluk	Concept
1	Anandavalleswaram Siva Temple	Anandavalleswaram	Kollam	Siva
2	Anantha Siva Temple	Maruthamanakkavu	Kollam	Siva
3	Anchumoorthy Temple	Ummannur	Kottarakkara	Others
4	Bhadrakali Temple	Idamulakkal	Kottarakkara	Durga
5	Bhadrakali Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Durga
6	Bhadrakali Temple	Vilakkudy	Kottarakkara	Durga
7	Bhadrakali Temple	Pattazhy	Pathanapuram	Durga
8	Bhadrakali Temple	Kunnathur	Kunnathur	Durga
9	Bhadrakali Temple	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Durga
10	Bhadrakali Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Durga
11	Bhadrakali Temple	Vilakkudy	Pathanapuram	Durga
12	Bhadrakali Temple	Pathanapuram	Pathanapuram	Durga
13	Bhadrakali Temple	Thevalakkara	Karunagappally	Durga
14	Bhadrakali Temple	Mynagapally	Kunnathur	Durga
15	Bhadrakali Temple	Mottakkal	Kunnathur	Durga
16	Bhadrakali Temple	Klappana	Karunagappally	Durga
17	Bhadrakali Temple	Sooranad (S)	Kunnathur	Durga
18	Bhadrakali Temple	Kulasekharapuram	Karunagappally	Durga
19	Bhadrakali Temple	Sasthamkotta	Kunnathur	Durga
20	Bhadrakali Temple	Kunnathur	Kunnathur	Durga
21	Bhagavathy Temple	Karavalur	Pathanapuram	Durga
22	Bhagavathy Temple	Panmana	Karunagappally	Durga
23	Bhagavathy Temple	Thevalakkara	Karunagappally	Durga
24	Bhagavathy Temple	Thazhava	Karunagappally	Durga
25	Bhagavathy Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Durga
26	Bhagavathy Temple	Palliyara	Kunnathur	Durga
27	Bhagavathy Temple	Poruvazhy	Kunnathur	Durga
28	Bhagavathy Temple, Karakkal	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Durga
29	Bhoothathankavu	Thenmala	Pathanapuram	Others
30	Chinthathura Vinayaka Temple	Chamakkada	Kollam	Ganapathy
31	Devi Te,mple	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Durga
32	Devi Temple	Mundakkal	Kollam	Durga
33	Devi Temple	Elanmkathukavu	Kollam	Durga
34	Devi Temple	Kizhakkekavu	Kollam	Durga
35	Devi Temple	Padinjarakkevu	Kollam	Durga
36	Devi Temple	Vattamanakkavu	Kollam	Durga
37	Devi Temple	Oanchelikkavu	Kollam	Durga
38	Devi Temple	karippazhikathukavu	Kollam	Durga
39	Devi Temple	Kunnungalkavu	Kollam	Durga
40	Devi Temple	Vishnuthukavu	Kollam	Durga
41	Devi Temple	Kottankulangara	Karunagappally	Durga
42	Devi Temple	Kottankara	Kollam	Durga
43	Devi Temple	East Kallada	Kollam	Durga
44	Devi Temple	Kalluvathukkal	Kottarakkara	Durga
45	Devi Temple	Kareepra	Kottarakkara	Durga
46	Devi Temple	Kulakkada	Kottarakkara	Durga
47	Devi Temple	Kummil	Kottarakkara	Durga
48	Devi Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Durga
49	Devi Temple	Thenmala	Pathanapuram	Durga
50	Devi Temple	Thenmala	Pathanapuram	Durga
51	Devi Temple	Kaippallikkavu	Karunagappally	Durga
52	Devi Temple	Kulasekharapuram	Karunagappally	Durga
53	Devi Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Durga
54	Devi Temple	Sasthamkotta	Kunnathur	Durga
55	Devi Temple	Madavana	Kunnathur	Durga
56	Devi Temple	Sasthamkotta	Kunnathur	Durga
57	Devi Temple	Kilikollur	Kollam	Durga
58	Devi Temple	Panmana	Karunagappally	Durga
59	Devi Temple (Chirakkal)	Thazhava	Karunagappally	Durga
60	Devi Temple (Parimanam)	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Durga
61	Devi Temple (Poomukhathukavu)	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
62	Devi Temple (Varurkavu)	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
63	Devi Temple (Vilayilkavu)	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
64	Devi Temple, Arappura	Pattazhy	Pathanapuram	Durga
65	Devi Temple, Aravilakkavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
66	Devi Temple, Bharanikkavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga

67	Devi Temple, Chakkulam	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Durga
68	Devi Temple, Chirakkarakavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga
69	Devi Temple, Chittumala	Kizhakke Kallada	Kollam	Durga
70	Devi Temple, Chiturkavu	East Kallada	Kollam	Durga
71	Devi Temple, Ezhuthukavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
72	Devi Temple, Idakkidam	Kareepra	Kottarakkara	Durga
73	Devi Temple, Idamanakkavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
74	Devi Temple, Ilamballurkavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
75	Devi Temple, Ilavurkkavu	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Durga
76	Devi Temple, Kaipadathingal	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Durga
77	Devi Temple, Kannantharakavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
78	Devi Temple, Kavuvilakavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga
79	Devi Temple, Kumbazhakkavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga
80	Devi Temple, Mannathukavu	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Durga
81	Devi Temple, Mukkattukavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
82	Devi Temple, Mulakkalkavu	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Durga
83	Devi Temple, Nellivilakavu	Thrikkadavur	Karunagappally	Durga
84	Devi Temple, Palliyarakkavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga
85	Devi Temple, Panakkathodi	Thekkumbhagom	Karunagappally	Durga
86	Devi Temple, Pandavarkavu	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Durga
87	Devi Temple, Pazhanjikavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga
88	Devi Temple, Vazhiyikavu	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
89	Devi Temple,Bharanikavu	Munro Thuruthu	Kollam	Durga
90	Dharma Sastha Temple	Kulathupuzha	Pathanapuram	Sastha
91	Dharma Sastha Temple	Aryankavu	Pathanapuram	Sastha
92	Dharma Sastha Temple	Achankovil	Pathanapuram	Sastha
93	Dharma Sastha Temple	Sasthamkotta	Kunnathur	Sastha
94	Dharmasastha Temple	Melila	Kottarakkara	Sastha
95	Dharmasastha Temple	Panayanchery	Pathanapuram	Sastha
96	Dharmasastha Temple, Jamyankode	Melila	Kottarakkara	Sastha
97	Sastha Temple, Karimalakkad	Melila	Kottarakkara	Sastha
98	Dharmasastha Temple, Koikkal	Melila	Kottarakkara	Sastha
99	Durga Temple	Kallurkavu	Kollam	Durga
100	Durga Temple	Kareepra	Kottarakkara	Durga
101	Durga Temple	Pulaman	Kottarakkara	Durga
102	Durga Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Durga
103	Durga Temple	Poruvazhy	Kunnathur	Durga
104	Durga Temple	Changayil	Kunnathur	Durga
105	Durga Temple	Vanchippuram	Kunnathur	Durga
106	Durga Temple	Ezhukone	Kottarakkara	Durga
107	Durga Temple, Chola	Chavara	Karunagappally	Durga

108	Durga Temple, Manjappuzha	Ittiva	Kottarakkara	Durga
109	Ganapahy-Subramaniya Temple	Ayankvu	Pathanapuram	Combined
110	Ganapathy Temple	Perinad	Kollam	Ganapathy
111	Ganapathy Temple	Chadayamangalam	Kottarakkara	Ganapathy
112	Ganapathy Temple	Idamulakkal	Pathanapuram	Ganapathy
113	Ganapathy Temple	Eroor	Pathanapuram	Ganapathy
114	Ganapathy Temple	Thevalakkara	Karunagappally	Ganapathy
115	Gandharvankavu	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Others
116	Ghandakarna Temple	East Kallada	Kollam	Others
117	Indalayappan Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Others
118	Kalari Devi Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Durga
119	Kandan Sastha Temple	Vilakkudy	Kottarakkara	Sastha
120	Karuppaswamy Temple	Ayankavu	Pathanapuram	Sastha
121	Karuppaswamy Temple	Aryankavu	Pathanapuram	Sastha
122	Kirathamurthy Temple, Chekam	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Siva
123	Kunhayappa Temple, Ayiravalli	Chadayamangalam	Kottarakkara	Sastha
124	Kuruthy Kamankavu	Thalavur	Pathanapuram	Siva
125	Maha Ganapathy Temple	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Ganapathy
126	Maha Vishnu Temple	Kilikollur	Kollam	Vishnu
127	Maha Vishnu Temple	Nedumbana	Kollam	Vishnu
128	Maha Vishnu Temple	East Kallada	Kollam	Vishnu
129	Maha Vishnu Temple	Ilamad	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
130	Maha Vishnu Temple	Kareepra	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
131	Maha Vishnu Temple	Melila	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
132	Maha Vishnu Temple	Vettikkavala	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
133	Maha Vishnu Temple	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
134	Maha Vishnu Temple	Idamulakkal	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
135	Maha Vishnu Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
136	Maha Vishnu Temple	Kulasekharapuram	Karunagappally	Vishnu
137	Maha Vishnu Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Vishnu
138	Maha Vishnu Temple, Aruvithara	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
139	Maha Vishnu Temple, Kaithode	Idamulakkal	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
140	Maha Vishnu Temple, Kusappally	Thalavur	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
141	Maha Vishnu Temple, Pidavur	Thalavur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
142	Maha Vishnu Temple, Thaliyil	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
143	Maha Vishnu Temple, Thrikkanamangal	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
144	Maha Vishnu Temple, Thrikkara	Thalavur	Kottarakkara	Siva
145	Maha Vishnu Temple, Uparikunnam	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Vishnu
146	Mahadeva Temple	Chittadeeswaram	Kollam	Siva
147	Mahadeva Temple	Rameswaram	Kollam	Siva
148	Mahadeva Temple	Manalil	Kollam	Siva
149	Mahadeva Temple	Thrikkadavur	Karunagappally	Siva
150	Mahadeva Temple	Chadayamangalam	Kottarakkara	Siva
151	Mahadeva Temple	Vettikkavala	Kottarakkara	Siva
152	Mahadeva Temple	Thalavur	Kottarakkara	Siva
153	Mahadeva Temple	Kummil	Kottarakkara	Siva
154	Mahadeva Temple	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Siva
155	Mahadeva Temple	Eroor	Pathanapuram	Siva
156	Mahadeva Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Siva
157	Mahadeva Temple	Valakkode	Pathanapuram	Siva
158	Mahadeva Temple	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Siva
159	Mahadeva Temple	Panmana	Karunagappally	Siva
160	Mahadeva Temple	Karunagappally	Karunagappally	Siva

161	Mahadeva Temple	Thazhava	Karunagappally	Siva
162	Mahadeva Temple	Mynagapally	Kunnathur	Siva
163	Mahadeva Temple	Padinjarekallada	Kunnathur	Siva
164	Mahadeva Temple	Poruvazhy	Kunnathur	Siva
165	Mahadeva Temple, Panakkalkavu	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Siva
166	Mahadeva Temple, Peradam	Chadayamangalam	Kottarakkara	Siva
167	Mahadeve Temple	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Siva
168	Mahalekshmi temple	Lekshminada	Kollam	Durga
169	Mahalekshmi temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Durga
170	Mahalekshmi temple	Oachira	Karunagappally	Durga
171	Mahavishnu Temple	Adichanallur	Kollam	Vishnu
172	Mahavishnu Temple	Mukhathala	Kollam	Vishnu
173	Mahavishnu Temple	Thevarkavu	Kollam	Vishnu
174	Mahavishnu Temple	Thirumullavaram	Kollam	Vishnu
175	Mahavishnu Temple	Ilamballur	Kollam	Vishnu
176	Mahavishnu Temple	Veliyam	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
177	Mahavishnu Temple	Kareepra	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
178	Mahavishnu Temple	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
179	Maya Yakshi Temple	Chavara	Karunagappally	Others
180	Moonnumoorthy Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Combined
181	Nagakanya Temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Others
182	Nagaraja Temple	Karandakathukavu	Kollam	Others
183	Nagaraja Temple	Cheppalllykavu	Kollam	Others
184	Nagaraja Temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Others
185	Nagaraja Temple	Kummil	Kottarakkara	Others
186	Nagaraja Temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Others
187	Narasimhamoorthy Temple	Eroor	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
188	Sankaranarayana Temple	Mynagapally	Kunnathur	Combined
189	Sankaranarayana Temple	Poruvazhy	Kunnathur	Combined
190	Sarppakkavu	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Durga
191	Sastha Temple	Thrikkovilvattom	Kollam	Sastha
192	Sastha Temple	Kannanallur	Kollam	Sastha
193	Sastha Temple	Manakkad	Kollam	Sastha
194	Sastha Temple	Alattukavu	Kollam	Sastha
195	Sastha Temple	Idakkattukavu	Kollam	Sastha
196	Sastha Temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Sastha
197	Sastha Temple	Pallupurathukavu	Kollam	Sastha
198	Sastha Temple	Kilikollur	Kollam	Sastha
199	Sastha Temple	Idamulakkal	Kottarakkara	Sastha
200	Sastha Temple	Ilamad	Kottarakkara	Sastha
201	Sastha Temple	Ezhukone	Kottarakkara	Sastha
202	Sastha Temple	Vilakkudy	Kottarakkara	Sastha
203	Sastha Temple	Thalavur	Kottarakkara	Sastha
204	Sastha Temple	Pathanapuram	Pathanapuram	Sastha
205	Sastha Temple	Kummil	Kottarakkara	Sastha
206	Sastha Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Sastha
207	Sastha Temple	Pathanapuram	Pathanapuram	Sastha
208	Sastha Temple	Thevalakkara	Karunagappally	Sastha
209	Sastha Temple	Sooranad (S)	Kunnathur	Sastha
210	Sastha Temple	Poruvazhy	Kunnathur	Sastha
211	Sastha Temple	Chanayikunnu	Kunnathur	Sastha
212	Sastha Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Sastha
213	Sastha Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Sastha
214	Sastha Temple, Ayyankoikkal	Thrikkadavur	Karunagappally	Sastha
215	Sastha Temple, Kaipavila	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Sastha
216	Sastha Temple, Kamankavu	Thalavur	Kottarakkara	Sastha

217	Sastha Temple, Nadakkavu	Vilakkudy	Kottarakkara	Sastha
218	Sastha Temple, Puliyoorkavu	Thekkumbhagom	Karunagappally	Sastha
219	Sastha Temple, Sastholi	Thrikkadavur	Karunagappally	Sastha
220	Siva Parvathy Temple	Kulathupuzha	Pathanapuram	Combined
221	Siva Temple	Sakthikulangara	Kollam	Siva
222	Siva Temple	Ummannur	Kottarakkara	Siva
223	Siva Temple	Idamulakkal	Kottarakkara	Siva
224	Siva Temple	Ummannur	Kottarakkara	Siva
225	Siva Temple	Vettikkavala	Kottarakkara	Siva
226	Siva Temple	Vilakkudy	Kottarakkara	Siva
227	Siva Temple	Mylam	Kottarakkara	Siva
228	Siva Temple	Pathanapuram	Pathanapuram	Siva
229	Siva Temple	Kulakkada	Kottarakkara	Siva
230	Siva Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Siva
231	Siva Temple	Mylam	Kottarakkara	Siva
232	Siva Temple	Kummil	Kottarakkara	Siva
233	Siva Temple	Anchal	Pathanapuram	Siva
234	Siva Temple	Eroor	Pathanapuram	Siva
235	Siva Temple	Karavalur	Pathanapuram	Siva
236	Siva Temple	Sooranad (N)	Kunnathur	Siva
237	Siva Temple	Oachira	Karunagappally	Siva
238	Siva Temple, Arathakantan	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
239	Siva Temple, Ayiravillikavu	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Siva
240	Siva Temple, Kaleelil	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Siva
241	Siva Temple, Kamukumchery	Thalavur	Pathanapuram	Siva
242	Siva Temple, Kandalankavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
243	Siva Temple, Kannankara	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Siva
244	Siva Temple, Kilimarathinkavu	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Siva
245	Siva Temple, Koduvila	East Kallada	Kollam	Siva
246	Siva Temple, Manikantanallur	Kadakkal	Kottarakkara	Siva
247	Siva Temple, Mathra Ayiravalli	Karavalur	Pathanapuram	Siva
248	Siva Temple, Pattathanam	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
249	Siva Temple, Payyalakkavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
250	Siva Temple, Pazhanjikavu	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
251	Siva Temple, Thalikkal	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Siva
252	Siva Temple, Thekkumbhagom	Neendakara	Karunagappally	Siva
253	Siva Temple, Thiurvatta	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Siva
254	Siva Temple, Udayadithyapuram	Chavara	Karunagappally	Siva
255	Siva Temple, Velunthara	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Siva
256	SivaTemple, Mattom	Piravanthur	Pathanapuram	Siva
257	Sree Krishna Temple	Kollam	Kollam	Vishnu
258	Sree Krishna Temple	Pazhanjikkavu	Kollam	Vishnu
259	Sree Krishna Temple	Chavara	Karunagappally	Vishnu
260	Sree Krishna Temple	Avanipuram	Kunnathur	Vishnu
261	Sree Krishna Temple	Kottarakkara	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
262	Sree Krishna Temple	Neduvathur	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
263	Sree Krishna Temple	Thenmala	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
264	Sreekrishna Temple	East Kallada	Kollam	Vishnu
265	Sreekrishna Temple	Kottathala	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
266	Sreekrishna Temple	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
267	Sreekrishna Temple, Puthiyedam	Punalur	Pathanapuram	Vishnu
268	Sri Krishna Temple	Panmana	Karunagappally	Vishnu
269	Sri Krishna Temple	Mynagapally	Kunnathur	Vishnu
270	Sri Krishna Temple	Thazhava	Kunnathur	Vishnu
271	Sri Krishna Temple	Klappana	Karunagappally	Vishnu

272	Sri Krishna Temple, Kanjirakkode	Kundara	Kollam	Vishnu
273	Sri Ramaswamy Temple	Velinallur	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
274	Subramanya Temple	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Subramanya
275	Subramanya Temple	Kulakkada	Kottarakkara	Subramanya
276	Subramanya Temple	Panmana	Karunagappally	Subramanya
277	Subramonya Temple	Umayanalluir	Kollam	Subramanya
278	Sundara Yakshi Temple	Vayalilkavu	Kollam	Others
279	Valliyambalam	Umayanallur	Kollam	Durga
280	Vanadurga Temple	Anchal	Pathanapuram	Durga
281	Venugaoala Temple	Tharamarakkulam	Kollam	Vishnu
282	Vishnu Temple	Pavithreswaram	Kottarakkara	Vishnu
283	Vishnu Temple, Kallada	West Kallada	Kunnathur	Vishnu
284	Yakshi Temple, Vattathara	Chavara	Karunagappally	Others

Other important temples

PARABRAHMA TEMPLE, OACHIRA

Location: Oachira is situated beside the N.H-47 about 32 kms north of Kollam and 5 kms south of Kayamkulam. The name Oachira is derived from the combination of the Tamil words Oiman (architect) and Chira (narrow stretch of land). Oimanchira might have been the place where Tamil architects dwelled in the past.

Panchayat: Oachira
Village: Oachira
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (36 km) / Karunagappally (09 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (107 km)

Legend/History:   The story behind the origin of the temple is related with the legend of Akavoor Chathan, one of the twelve sons of Vararuchi. Akavoor Chathan was a faithful servant of a Nampoothiri, who was a scholar in Vedic scriptures. One day Akavoor Chathan had sought for a clarification as to how the Parabrahmam looks like. Sarcastically, the Namboodiri replied that it would like a bull. In search of a suitable place for penance so as to see the Parabrahma, Chathan wandered one place to another and finally he found the present Oachira as suitable and started penance. Finally, the actual Parabrhma (infinite God) revealed Himself before the Chathan in the form of a bull.   Chathan remained at Oachira worshipping the almighty till the end of his life. Thus Oachira became the place of Parabrahma, the Infinite God. Some are of opinion that the Parabrahma is none other than Lord Siva. The bulls perambulating the temple premises are considered as the divine vehicle of the deity and looked after as sacred animals. Unlike other temples, the temple priests are non-Brahmins. The temple is managed by the Parabrahma Temple Trust.

Deity: Parabrahma (Supreme or Infinite God) is the main deity. There is neither a temple nor an idol of the presiding deity. However, small idols of Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy and Nagaraja are consecrated on the platforms constructed around banyan trees, where rituals are performed. A special kind of mud is served to devotees as prasadam. It is believed that this prasadam have medicinal values. 

Festival: Oachira Kali is the main festival that commemorates the battle between Kayamkulam and Chembakassery Rajas. Oachira Kali is a demonstration of pseudo fight by the trained men of different villages in and around Oachira. Panthrandu Villakku is another important festival celebrated for 12 days during the month of Vrichikam (November-Decmber).

DHARMA SASTHA TEMPLE, SASTHAMCOTTA

Location: Sasthamcotta is located 29 km from the district headquarters.
Panchayat:Sasthamcotta
Village: Sasthamcotta
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (29 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (100 km)

Legend/History: Legend says that the temple was established by Lord Parasurama as one of the protectors of the land reclaimed by Him from the sea – Kerala.  The antiquity of the temple extends beyond the period of the Thretha Yug. It is believed that Lord Sri Rama along with his wife and brother visited Sasthamcotta to pay their respects to Lord Dharma Sastha. Lord Sri Rama appointed Neelan, a captain of Vanarasena (military of monkeys), to serve Lord Sastha. Neelan is believed to be the ancestor of the existing monkeys of the temple. The temple is well-known for the inhabitance of monkeys. Another story tells that Kayamkulam King who used to visit Sabarimala temple every month. Due to some reasons his visit discontinued for some months. Realising the mistake, the King went for Sabarimala and worshiped there for 12 days. On the night of the 12th day, Lord Sastha Ayyappa revealed Himself before the King in his dream and suggested that he need not visit every month to Sabarimala. Instead, he might visit Sasthamcotta and worship the Lord Sastha. It was the Kayamkulam king who renovated and built the temple in its present form. The temple is one of the five ancient Sastha temples of Kerala. The other four temples are at Achan Kovil, Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha, and Sabarimala. Sasthamcotta is one of the prominent places for performing bali, a ritual performed on the new moon day of Karkidakam (July-August) to propitiate the spirits of forefathers. Thousands of people offered bali on the banks of the Sasthamcotta lake, which is one of the fresh water lakes of Kerala. The temple is under the administrative control of Travancore Devaswom Board.
Deity: Lord Sastha (Ayyappa) accompanied by His consort Prabha and son Sathyaka is the major deity of the temple. The deity is said to have the equal powers as that of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala.  Ganapathy, Shiva, Yakshiyamma, Nagaraja are the minor deities.

Festivals: Annual festival of the temple is celebrated for 10 days during the month of Kumbham (February-March). Thiruvonam, Navaratri, Mandala festival of 41 days, Sivaratri are the other important festivals.

SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE, UMAYANALLUR

Location: Umayanallur is located 12 km south of Kollam town.
Panchyat: Mayyanad
Village: Mayyanad
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (12 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (64 km)

Legend/History: No authentic records are available to trace the origin and antiquity of this ancient temple. It is believed that the temple was built by the Rajas of Desinganadu (Jayasimhanadu, the region now known as Kollam). The templeis also related with Umayamma Rani, who ruled Venad in the 11th Century. There is evident to prove that Devadasi system was prevailing in the temple. All these show that the temple is an ancient one. Some believe that the consecration of the idol was done by Sreemad Sanakaracharya. The temple is now governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.  Anaval Piditham, a unique and odd ritual is performed as a part of the temple festival. When the caparisoned elephant carrying the idol/image of the deity moves forward, the crown assembled there used to pull its tail so as to stop the elephant. This ritual, known as Anaval Piditham, symbolizes the childhood play of Lord Subramanya and His elder brother Lord Ganapathy. However such a ritual is not practiced anywhere else.

Anaval Piditham

Deity: Lord Subramanya is the principal deity. The deity faces west unlike other Subramanya temples. Lord Ganapathy, Goddess Bhagavathy, Saptha Mathrukkal (Seven holy mothers – Brahmini, Maheswari, Kaumari, yshnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda) are the minor deities.

Festival: Annual festival is celebrated for eight days in the month of Meenom (March-April).

SREEKRISHNA TEMPLE, ASHRAMAM

Location: Ashramam is located just 2 km east of Kollam town on the banks of Lake Ashtamudi.
Panchayat: Kollam Corporation
Village: Kollam
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (2 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km)

Legend/History: It is believed that this ancient temple was established by Villwamangalath Swamiyar. Unnuneeli Sandesam, one of the literary works written in the 14th century AD had mentioned about this temple. Obviously the temple might have been established before 14th Century A.D. Records say that Maharaja Marthandavarma, the architect of erstwhile Travancore (1706–1758) renovated the temple. Now the temple is governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Krishna (Navaneetha Krishna) is the presiding deity. Lord Ganapathy and Navagrahas [Nine planets: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (a shadow planet), and  Ketu (a shadow planet)] are the minor deities. 

Festival: Annual Festival of the temple is celebrated for 8 days in the month of Medam (April-May) and this festival is known as Pooram of Kollam.

CHINTHATHURA VINAYAKA TEMPLE, KOLLAM

Location: The temple is located right on the heart of the Kollam Municipal town.
Panchayat: Municipality: Kollam
Village: Kollam
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km)

Legend/History: Legend says that the temple was constructed by the tobacco merchants from Sri Lanka. Once some of the merchants from Sri Lanka were sailing towards Kollam but they lost their route and had to return to their native country. A devaprasna (an astrological method to find out reasons) revealed that they should construct a temple dedicated to Lord Ganapthy not to repeat such unhappy incidents and for their prosperity. Accordingly they built this temple at Kollam. The Sri Lankan architectural style supports this legend. An inscription seen near the sanctum sanctorum revels that the temple was renovated by one of the Kerala King in 1496. This is the only temple in Kerala where Lord Ganapathy faces north. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Ganapathy, Lord Siva is also worshipped with equal importance.  The administration of the temple is vested with the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Ganapathy (Vinayaka) is the principal deity.

Festival: Vinayaka Chadurthi is the main festival.

ANANDAVALLEESWARAM TEMPLE, KOLLAM

Location: Anandavalleeswaram Temple is located right on the heart of Kollam town, adjacent to the Civil Lines.
Municipal town: Kollam
Village: Kollam
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (2 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km)

Legend/History: There is no historical record to show the antiquity and origin of the temple. The name of the temple was Anandeswaram in olden days. There are five famous temples in Kollam town viz., Rameswaram, Manaleeswaram, Anandeswaram, Chittadeeswaram and Thrikkupaleswaram.  All these five temples have been constructed during the same period. Some believe that the temple was constructed by the merchants from Sri Lanka who used to trade with Kollam.  Some say that the temple was constructed by Navakody Narayana Chettiyar, an industrialist from Thanchavur who settled in Kollam. The fact that a Chettiyar family looked after the affairs of the temple supports this belief. Later the temple was taken over by the rulers of erstwhile Venad, whose headquarters was Kollam before it was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. The temple was renovated and new idol made of Panchaloha (Alloy of five metals – iron, copper, tin, silver and gold) during the year 1806 A.D. It is said that the deity was the tutelary deity of the Venad dynasty. During the civil war between Veluthampy Dalawa and the British, some damages had been caused to the temple and it was repaired by the British Government in 1823 A.D. The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Siva is the presiding deity. When the temple was renovated in 1806 A.D., Goddess Bhagavathy was also consecrated.  Both the deities are worshipped with equal importance.

Festival: Annual festival is celebrated in the month of Meenom (March-April). Sivarathri, Navarathri are the other important festivals.

MAHADEVA TEMPLE, RAMESWARAM

Location: The temple is situated right on the heart of the Kollam Municipal town.
Municipality: Kollam
Village: Kollam
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km)

Legend/History: Antiquity and origin of the temples of district can be determined based on legend as historical records are available. Legend says that the temple is one of the 108 Shaivite temples established by Lord Parasurama in Kerala. An inscription at the temple tells about some compensation paid by Rama Varma Kulasekhara, one of the Kerala Kings in lieu of money that he had taken from the temple funds in the year 1102 A.D. Another inscription of 1338 A.D. mentions that one Manthappally Chathan Nayanar had contributed some wealth to the temple. Herman Gundert opined that the Kolla Varsham (Malayalam Era) starts on the date on which the consecration of idol in this temple. If so, the temple was established during 825 A.D. The temple is governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Siva is the principal deity. Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Saptha Mathrukkal (Seven holy mothers – Brahmini, Maheswari, Kaumari, yshnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda), Lord Chandeswara are the minor deities.

Festival: Annual festival is celebrated for 8 days in the month of Makaram (January- February).

BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, KOTTANKULANGARA

Location: Kottankulangara is located 18 km north to Kollam.
Panchayat: Chavara
Village: Chavara
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (18 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (92 km)

Legend/History: Many stories are there about the origin of the temple. One of them tells that some boys who were playing as girls and worshipping a stone as idol of Goddess offer flowers and Kottan (residue coconut milk after boiling) and the Goddess appeared before them. When this incident was told to elders, they held a devaprasna (astrological method to find out reasons) which revealed the presence of Goddess where the boys were playing and Goddess liked the make-up of boys as girls. Then a temple was constructed temporarily using Kuruthola (tender coconut palm leaves) and offered Kottan as Nivedya (sanctified edible offering to the deity). Subsequently a permanent structure was built to house the temple. Still a temporary shed with Kuruthola is constructed to consecrate idol of Goddess during festival period. The unique ritual of Chamaya Vilakku (men dressed up as females carrying decorated or make-up lamps) is also performed in commemoration of the play of boys. The temple was owned by a local ruler in ancient days. Now it is under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Deity: Goddess Bhagavathy (in the concept of Vana Durga) is the principal deity. Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Sastha, Yakshi Amma are the other deities.

Festival: Annual festival is celebrated in the month of Meenam (March-April).  Chamaya Vilakku is the important ritual of the festival. On the festival day men dress up as women come to the temple with lighted lamps.

Chamaya Vilakku

MAHADEVA TEMPLE, CHADAYAMANGALAM

Location: Chadayamangalam is located 44 km north of Thiruvananthapruam and 30 km south of Kottarakkara.

Panchayat: Chadayamangalam
Village: Chadayamangalam
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (33 Km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (49 Km)

Legend/History: According to legend, Jadayu was killed by Ravana when the former tried to rescue Goddess Sita from the demon king Ravana. The place where Jadayu was killed came to be known as Jadayumangalam which was later corrupted as Chadayamangalam. It is believed that Jadayu brought a Sivalinga idol for worship and Lord Sri Rama consecrated it here.  Some believe that Jadayan is the synonym of Lord Siva and the place where Jadayan dwells is Jadayamangalam and transformed as Chadayamangalam in the course of time. The temple is governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Siva is the presiding deity. Lord Gananapathy, Nagaraja, Naga Yakshi are the minor deities.

Festival: Sivarathry is the major festival of the temple.

MANIKANTESWARAM TEMPLE, KOTTARAKKARA
(MAHAGANAPATHY TEMPLE, KOTTARAKKARA)

Location: The temple is located just 2 km away from Kottarakkara town.
Panchayat: Kottarakkara
Village: Kottarakkara
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (25 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (76 km)

Legend/History: Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva, it is popularly known as Maha Ganapathy temple. This ancient temple is one of the 108 shivsite temples of Kerala. Lord Mahadeva (Lord Siva) was the tutelary deity of Elayidathu Swarupam, the rulers of Kottarakkara. The kingdom of Kottarakkara was merged with Travancore. Legend says that the temple was renovated by Perumthachan (the legendary carpenter, architect, and sculptor). On completion of work, he made a beautiful idol of Lord Ganapathy making use of the jack tree that left behind. This idol was consecrated in the temple complex.  It is stated that Perumthachan had predicted that though the principal deity is Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy would become famous in the course of time.  Another temple known as Padinjattinkara Mahadeva Temple is located just 50 meters away from Manikanteswaram (Maha Ganapathy) Temple. This is also an ancient temple in all aspects. Both the temples are under the administrative control of Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Lord Shiva is the main deity. However, Lord Ganapathy is more famous as predicted by Perumthachan. Idols of Lord Mahadeva (facing east) and Goddess Parvathy (facing west) are in the same sanctum sanctorum. Idol of Lord Ganapathy faces south. Lord Sastha, Lord Subrahmanya and Naga are the minor deities.

Festivals: Annual festival is celebrated for 8 days during the month of Medam (April-May). Sivarathry is also celebrated with great importance.  The symbolic wedding between Banyan tree and Neem that takes place in the temple once in 12 years is a unique ritual.

BHADRAKALI TEMPLE, PATTAZHY

Location: Pattazhy is located 10 km North East of Kottarakkara.
Panchayat: Pattazhy
Village: Pattazhy
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (34 km) / Chengannur (34 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (84 km)

Legend/History: Legend about the origin of the temple says that a Brahmin from North Malabar performed penance in a sacred grove near the present temple pond. He worshipped an idol of Goddess and it is believed that this idol is the original idol of the temple. Another story tells that Keezveettil Unnithan, a local Nair chieftain saw a charming woman near a well in his garden land. When he approached the woman disappeared and in her place he saw a Pattu (red silk cloth). A devaprasna (an astrological method to find out answer) revealed the presence of Goddess Bhadrakali and the Goddess was consecrated. Since the Unnithan saw the Pattu near an Aazhy (well or pond), the place came to be known as Pattazhy.  Some are of opinion that Pattazhy is the corrupted form of Bhattarika which means Goddess. The temple was owned by Pattazhy swaroopa (rulers of the region). When Maharaja Marthana Varma conquered the region the ownership of the temple was transferred to Travancore. Dharmaraja of Travancore, the successor of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, had donated 814 acres of land to the temple in lieu of favours received from the Goddess for winning the war with Kayamkulam kingdom.  The management of the temple was entrusted by the Travancore Maharaja to one of Nair chieftains, known as Kambithan (a title of Nair community). The last Kambithan passed away on 1809 A.D. and thereafter the temple was governed by the Travancore Government. Now the temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Deity: Goddess Bhadrakali (Durga) is the main deity. Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Yakshi Amma are the other deities.

Festival: Annual festival is celebrated for 8 days in the month of Kumbham (Februvary-March). Navarathri and Mandalapooja are also important festivals. Kalamezhuthu ritual performed during the period of Mandalapooja is unique. Several temple arts forms are staged during festival. Among them Padayani is famous.

DHARMA SASTHA TEMPLE, KULATHUPUZHA

Location: Kulathupuzha is located 62 km north east of Thiruvananthapuram.
Panchayat: Kulathupuzha
Village: Kulathupuzha
Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram (64 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (69 km)

Legend/History: Legend says that Lord Parasurama established five temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali in the coastal region and five Sastha temples in the hilly tracts for the safety and prosperity of Kerala. Dharmasastha temple at Kulathupuzha is one among them. The other four Sastha temples are located at Aryankavu, Achankovil (both in Kollam district), Sabarimala and Kanthamala (otherwise known as Ponnambalamedu) (both in Pathanamthitta district). Another legend says that a Brahmin priest while travelling took rest on the banks of Kulathupuzha River. When his servants broke a rock to form an over for cooking food, they found blood stains in the broken rock. The priest saw divine presence of Lord Sastha in the rock and he consecrated the broken rock as Sastha idol. The fact that the idol at the temple is a broken one substantiates this legend.

Deity: Lord Sastha (appeared as a boy) is the principal deity. Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Goddess Durga are the minor deities.

Festival: Annual festival starts on the 30th day of Meenom (March-April) and end on the 5th day of Makaram (April-May). Mandala Pooja and Makara Vilakku are also important festivals.

DHARMA SASTHA TEMPLE, ACHANKOVIL

Location: Achankovil is located about 45 km north-east of Punalur and 117 km from Thiruvananthapuram on the foot of Sahya Hills.
Panchayat: Aryankavu
Village: Aryankavu
Nearest Railway station:  Kollam (89 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (117 km)

Legend: Legend says that Lord Parasurama established five temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali in the coastal region and five Sastha temples in the hilly tracts for the safety and prosperity of Kerala. Dharmasastha temple at Achankovil is one among them. The other four Sastha temples are located at Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha (both in Kollam district), Sabarimala and Kanthamala (otherwise known as Ponnambalamedu) (both in Pathanamthitta district).  The name of place has been derived from the words Ayyan (means Lord Sastha or Ayyappa in Tamil) and Kovil (Temple). Later, Ayyankovil transformed as Achankovil.  The temple is not only a place of worship, but also a hospital. The sandal paste in the hands of the deity Lord (Dharma Sastha) has miraculous healing power for snake venom. Administering the sandal paste mixed with the holy water to the patient for three times and applying the mixture on the bruise would give relief to the patient. This service is available in the temple round the clock. No death of persons who had taken this medicine is reported so far. This confirms the argument of historians that the Sastha cult was attributed to Buddhist influence and Sastha temples of Kerala were once Buddhist shrines which were not only worship centres but also educational institutions and Ayurveda hospitals. Achankovil was ruled by the Pandalam Royal family and Lord Sastha was their tutelary deity. The temple was owned by them. Now it is under the Travancore Devaswom Board. A fire broke out in 1860 A.D. which causes much damage to the temple except sanctum sanctorum and the idol. The existing structure of the temple was constructed after the fire incident. The temple was renovated in 1933 A.D.

Deity: Lord Sastha (in the concept of a married youth) along His wives - Purna and Pushkala is the principal deity. Lord Siva, Lord Maha Vishnu, Goddess Bhagavathy, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya are the other deities.

Festivals: Mandalapooja and Makaravailakku are the most important festivals apart from the annual festival celebrated for 10 days in the month of Vrichikam (November-December). Tamil influence can be seen in the rituals connected with the temple. Ratholsavam (divine chariot festival) is the important item of the festival.

DHARMA SASTHA TEMPLE, ARYANKAVU

Location: Aryankavu is located 79 km from Kollam and 35 km east of Punalur on the boarder of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Panchayat: Aryankavu
Village: Aryankavu
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam (79 km)
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (107 km)

Legend/History: The name of place derived from the combination of words Aryan (Lord Sastha or Ayyappa) and Kavu (sacred grove). The Kavu (sacred forest) in which Aryan (Lord Ayyappa) dwells is known as Aryankavu.  Lord Parasurama established five temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali in the coastal region and five Sastha temples in the hilly tracts for the safety and prosperity of Kerala. Dharmasastha temple at Achankovil is one among them. The other four Sastha temples are located at Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha (both in Kollam district), Sabarimala and Kanthamala (otherwise known as Ponnambalamedu) (both in Pathanamthitta district). It is believed that Lord Sastha married Pushkala, a girl belonged to Sourashtra Brahmin. Devotees from Sourashtra still visit the temple to participate in the Thrikalyanam (holy marriage) festival held every year. The rituals of the marriage festival are in accordance with the marriage rituals followed by the Sourashtra Brahmins.

Deity: Lord Sastha depicted as a young man is the major deity. Lord Siva is consecrated on the right side of the main deity and Goddess Pushkala on the left side.

Festival: The most important festivals are Mandalapooja (during December-Januavary) and Thrikalyanam