Cochin or Kochi is a beautiful town in the southwest portion of Kerala, India. This town is a port since the early 13th century when merchants from Europe, Arabia and China come to trade with India. This small yet beautiful city is one of the well-built towns of Kerala and is a residing place for some of the richest people in India. Cochin has basically considered one of the major ports of Kerala and the town is a rich history as well. It is known for its beautiful temples; some are as old as 2000 years ago. These stunning temples are dedicated to the worship of Vishnu, Shiva and Lord Krishna. Check out this article to explore some of the most famous temples in Kochi.
Most Popular Temples In Kochi With Photos:
The following is the list of the top 9 famous temples in Kochi with details. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Temple:
Cochin Tirumala Devaswom Temple is a must-visit temple in Kochi. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi. This temple is the oldest, largest and most famous temple in Kochi city. Every day a large number of devotees visit this temple and offer prayers. This beautiful ancient temple was built in the 16th century. Apart from the main deity, the temple premises also have four sub-temples namely Vigneswara, Mahalakshmi, Hanuma and Garuda.
On entering this temple, apart from the devotion, the ambience of the temple, the architecture, the lake and the paintings, especially the giant bronze bell, impress you. The atmosphere here is very pleasant, bringing peace and tranquillity to your mind. The temple is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm for darshan. In this temple, two 8-day festivals namely Rathotsavam and Mahotsavam are celebrated annually.
2. Shree Krishna Temple:
The first and most attractive temple in the city and in our list is the Shree Krishna temple located in Guruvayoor, Kochi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is considered the first Hindu temple opened for all Hindus of all castes. Only Hindus are permitted to enter this temple. This temple is strictly made for Hindus only.
3. Dharmanath Jain Temple:
This temple is over 100 years old and is one of the most popular temples in the state. It is believed that the temple will be a part of Thirath which means it will be one of the sacred places of the Jain community.
4. Ernakulam Shiva Temple:
The Ernakulam temple is dedicated to the mighty Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the heart of the city and is visited by hundreds of people on a daily basis. This is one of the unique Shiv temples in the country. In this temple, the Shivlinga or the statue of Lord Shiva points to the west that is seaward.
5. Thrikkakara Temple:
This temple is situated 10 km to the northeast of Cochin and is the ideal sport for the Onam celebrations which go on for 10 long days. This temple is considered to be the capital of a good Asur or evil who Lord Vishnu later on defeated. This temple worships and displays the beautiful incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Vamana.
6. Chottanikkara Temple:
The temple is considered one of the most prestigious temples in Cochin. In this temple, one can see beautiful artwork, breathtaking views which surround the worship site, etc. In this historically rich temple, one can also see the oldest Hebrew inscription in the country which dates back to the 12th century.
See More: Temples Of Hampi
7. Kallil Temple:
This temple is situated 50 km northeast of Cochin. The best fact about this temple is that it was constructed by carving a rock. The workers had to climb more than a 100steps to carve this temple. Goddess Durga is the main deity worshipped in this temple. Along with that, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are also worshipped on this religious site.
See More: Famous Temples In Gurgaon
8. Krishnaswamy Temple:
This is one of the most visited temples in Cochin. The temple dates back to 947 A.D when it was constructed. There are a number of historically important inscriptions on the temple site along with many sculptures and carvings.
See More: Temples In Bhopal
9. Vamanamoorthy Temple Kochi:
Thirkkakkara temple, popularly called the Vamanamoorthy temple is located in Thirikkakara of Kochi. This temple is one of the very few temples which worship the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. This ancient temple is around 2000 years old and is listed as 108 divine destinations of India. Onam is the main temple festival and is celebrated in a grand manner.
Along with these temples listed in Kochi, there are also a lot of other famous temples near Kochi. These temples are known for their association with Hindu mythology and history. They have been well-preserved over many centuries and have attracted devotees from across the world. These temples are also places of communal harmony where people of different faiths come together to celebrate important occasions. The temples are located in breathtakingly beautiful picturesque locations. We hope you make it a point to visit these temples during your next visit to Kochi. No wonder why Kerala is called “God’s own country”!
