Pilgrimage Destinations of South India

Sept. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- South India is dotted with many places of religious interest. There are several cities which are known for the temples they are home to. These holy places are major tourist attractions owing to the grandeur and architectural splendour they have.

Have a look of some famous temples of South India:

The Guruvayur Kshethram
The Guruvayur Kshethram was earlier known as Bhooloka Vaikuntha. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This 5,000 years old temple is believed to be built by a divine architect Vishwakarama. Over the years, it has gained popularity and is visited by many visitors from far and wide.

The presiding deity of the temple is Maha Vishnu, who is in the standing posture with four hands, carrying a Sudarshana chakram (a serrated disk), Sankhu (conch), mace and lotus.

He is worshipped in his full avatar as Balakrishna. The idol is made of a very rare stone Patala Anjana. This is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Kerala. The main temple is known as 'Guruvayurappan'. It also describes the life stages of Lord Krishna which is depicted through beautiful paintings, murals and nakkashi. It is also considered as a site for marriages.

During festivity, this grand site is beautifully decorated with numerous earthen lamps, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Padhmanabhaswamy
It is a famous religious site, located in Trivandrum. It has an outstanding architecture which reflects the rich heritage of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is regarded as the preserver of the Universe. The shrine has a big idol of the Lord around 18 feet in height. Beautifully embellished with gem stoned and gold, it glimmers brightly.

The main deity of this holy site is Lord Vishnu in a sleeping posture. To see the idol of Lord or for darshan, you have to pass through three doors. The first door allows you to see the head and torso while crossing second door, your will be able to see the midriff and hands. Finally you enter in the third door and can see the feet of the Lord.

The architecture of this site is a blend of Kerala and Hindu architectural style. The temple boasts of a large complex with a big gopuram. It also has a tank near it for ritual bathing.

Padmanabhapuram Palace
Built in the 14th century, the palace is located around 54 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram.  Earlier it was called Darpakulangara, but in the 18th century it was profusely renovated. Since then it is known as the Padmanabhapuram palace.

Guruvayoor Kshethram is a magnificent temple reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. There are other religious sites like Padmanabham Temple in Trivandrum that are known for the architectural splendour.
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I really feel that incredible India is a land for every kind of traveler. It overflows with a variety of attractions ranging from rich cultures to wildlife, adventure, scenic beauty, desert, mountains, fairs and festivals, religious destinations.