Tours Around Ernakulam

¤ Kaladi

Distance : 45km northwest of Kochi
Considered as one of the most sacred places of the Hindus, the historic village of Kaladi is situated on the banks of the River Periyar. Kaladi is the place where Adi Sankaracharya (a.d 788-820), the great philosopher of Advaita (non-dualism), was born. Today, it is one of the well-known Hindu pilgrimage centres. Sankaracharya was instrumental in establishing the four mathas (Hindu monastic establishment) at Sringeri, Dwarka, Joshimath and Puri (see Kerala History).

¤ Temple Attractions of The Town

There is a cluster of temples in Kaladi. While one of the shrines is dedicated to the Sankaracharya as Dakshinamurthi (the Absolute as teacher) the other is dedicated to the Goddess Sharada. It is believed that the Sankaracharya lived in the exact area where the complex stands today.

A memorial, marking the place where Sankaracharya’s mother was cremated, stands in the vicinity of the temples. Dominating the picturesque scenery is the ever-changing Periyar flowing through the village.

The Crocodile Ghat is considered as the most sacred of all the ghats (steps leading down to a river) in Kaladi because of the story attached to it. It is said that a crocodile caught Sankaracharya and left him only when his mother gave him permission to embrace a monastic lifestyle.


¤ Attraction of Manikkamangalam Temple

The Manikkamangalam Temple is located at a short distance from the main temple complex. Sankaracharya is associated with this shrine too. It is said that Sankara’s father, Siva Guru, a pious man, was the officiating priest of this temple. A tiny Shiva Temple is located at Vellimantulli.


¤ Kanjiramittam

Distance : 30km from Ernakulam
The place has the most important and beautiful mosque in the entire district. The mosque is built over the mortal remains of Shaikh Parid, who breathed his last here. Muslims and Hindus both worship at this mosque. The chief festival of the mosque is Kodikuthu, which is celebrated around December-January.

¤ Chottanikkara

Distance : 15km from Ernakulam
Perched atop a hillock, the Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple is known all over Kerala as an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. Tradition has it that worshipping in the temple over a prolonged period cures many illnesses. An array of oil paintings adorns the wall of the vimana (towered sanctuary) of the temple. The festival of Navaratri (see Festivals of India) is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare in the temple.

¤ Chennamangalam

Distance : 42km from Ernakulam
Being the seat of the Paliath Achan, the hereditary Prime Minister of the erstwhile State of Cochin, the place is of historical value. In addition, the place is also known as one of the strongholds of the Jewish community.

A Black Jews Synagogue can still be found at Chennamangalam, though a considerable chunk of the Jewish population has migrated to Israel. The remnants of the Vaipicotta Seminary are also on display. Situated near the ruins is an old Syrian Catholic Church, which has withstood the test of time.
The Portuguese are said to have built the church. In addition to this, the place also boasts of a Krishna Temple and a mosque. But the ancient Kunnathali Temple has succumbed to the ravages of time.

¤ Malayattur

Distance : 52km from Cochin, 8km from Kaladi
Literally meaning “the land of hills and rivers”, Malayattur is a well-known pilgrimage centre for Christians. St. Thomas Church is one of the most important Catholic churches in Kerala.
A life-size statue of St. Thomas is located on the crest of 1,500ft high hillock. Other interesting things to see are the holy cross, the cupola and the rock with the footprints of St. Thomas. The many springs dotting the landscape of Malayuttur are a refreshing sight for every visitor.