13 Divya Desam in Kerala: Vishnu Temples & Spiritual Sites 2025

Divya Desam in Kerala is an essential location for Vaishnavites as it is home to the 13 Divya Desam in kerala (Vishnu temples) that are part of the 108 Divya Desams. These temples are the most celebrated pilgrimage locations beautified by the Azhwars, the Tamil poet Saints who played a significant role in the region’s religious history. Each Kerala temple boasts elaborate histories, making it irreplaceable in a Vishnu devotee’s heart.

The Divya Desams in Kerala are popularly known as “Malai nadu Divya Desams.” In contrast to Divya Deshams, these forms of sub-temples are not purely meant for the devotees visits. They serve a much higher purpose by being literally statues in history.

What is Divya Desam?

While Azhawa saints were composing their famous verses, “Divya Desam” came out as one of the Vishnu temples categorized with the 108 from all over India. 13 of them were scattered around Kerala and can serve as important stops during pilgrimage trips.  

Every temple has a fabled story of its own and an different deity for the Lord Vishnu. These features undoubtedly render them as spiritually enriching locations.

Significance of Divya Desam in Kerala

The outstanding features of Divya Desam in Kerala:  

• Their one of a kind architecture that maintains the State’s stylistic identity
• Religious components of Vaishnavism which are integrated with traditions of the place.
• Beautiful surroundings that add to the serenity of the area.
• The Relativesam and worshipped personification of Vishnu.  

The temples serve as prime examples of a mix of Dravidian style and Keralite architecture, which contributes greatly to the cultures of the region.

List of 13 Divya Desam in Kerala

Below is the list of 13 Divya Desams in Kerala:

Temple Name	Location	Presiding Deity
Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple	Thiruvananthapuram	Lord Vishnu in Ananta Shayana posture
Thiruvattar Adikesava Perumal Temple	Kanyakumari Border	Adikesava Perumal (Vishnu)
Thirupatisaram Sri Krishnaswamy Temple	Nagercoil	Thirupatisarappan (Krishna)
Thiruvananthapuram Parthasarathy Temple	Thiruvananthapuram	Krishna as Parthasarathy
Thiruvenkadu Perumal Temple	Kanyakumari	Thiruvenkatamudayan (Vishnu)
Thiruvalla Sri Vallabha Temple	Pathanamthitta	Sri Vallabha (Vishnu)
Thiruvanvandoor Sri Paambanaiyappan Temple	Alappuzha	Paambanaiyappan (Vishnu)
Thirukkadithanam Mahavishnu Temple	Kottayam	Mahavishnu
Thiruchittattu Sri Imayavarappan Temple	Chengannur	Imayavarappan (Vishnu)
Thiruvarppu Sri Krishnaswamy Temple	Kottayam	Krishna as Parthasarathy
Thirupuliyoor Sri Mayapiran Temple	Chengannur	Mayapiran (Vishnu)
Thiruvanparisaram Sri Krishnaswamy Temple	Nagercoil	Krishna in standing posture
Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal Temple	Ernakulam	Lakshmana (Brother of Rama)

List of 13 Divya Desam in Kerala – Detailed Guide

Twelve out of the fourteen Divya Desams in South India lie in the states of Kerala. Each of them have thier own history, a deity and reason for worship associated with it. They are:

1. Avalokiteshvara Temple, Kerala (Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple)

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram
• Deity: An Ananthashayi Lord Vishnu
• Significance: considered to one of the wealthiest temples globally, It is believed to have a treasure trove, The deity is in a reclining posture over Adi Shesha (Serpent)
• Special Features: Believers say that the idol is in the form of a Katu-sarkara yogam (herbal mix) and can be seen through three doors.

2. Adikesava Perumal Temple, Kerala ( Thiruvattar)

• Location: Kanyakumari district (The border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
• Deity: Adikesava Perumal
• Significance: Lord Brahma visiting and Adi Shesha protecting the site is believed.

3. Sri Krihsnaswamy Temple (Thirupatisaram)

• Location: Near Nagercoil
• Deity: Thirupatisarappan
• Significance: His birthplace is associated with that of Nammazhwar, an Azhwar. Devotees believe praying here dissolves their doshas (negative karma)

4. Parthasarathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram
• Deity: Krishna as Parthasarathy (charioteer of Arjuna)
• Significance: Lord Krishna is worshipped as Parthasarathy, the divine guide of Arjuna during the Mahabharata war.

5. Thiruvenkadu Perumal Temple

• Place: Kanyakumari
• Deity: Lord Vishnu’s manifestation as Thiruvenkatamudayan.
• Significance: Known for remedies of Moon’s affliction.

6. Thiruvalla Sri Vallabha Temple

• Place: Pathanamthitta
• Deity: Lord Vishnu’s idol as Sri Vallabha.
• Significance: Preserves one of the few standing Vishnu idols in the state of Kerala.

7. Thiruvanvandoor Sri Paambanaiyappan Temple

• Place: Alappuzha
• Deity: Paambanaiyappan, a form of Vishnu.
• Significance: Thought to have been constructed by Nakula, one amongst the Pandavas.

8. Thirukkadithanam Mahavishnu Temple

• Place: Kottayam
• Deity: Mahavishnu
• Significance: Among the 108 temples of Shiva and Vishnu in Kerala.

9. Thiruchittattu Sri Imayavarappan Temple

• Place: Chengannur
• Deity: Imayavarappan, a form of Lord Vishnu.
• Significance: Famous for being a temple of Pandava prince Yudhishtira.

10. Thiruvarppu Sri Krishnaswamy Temple

• Place: Kottayam
• Deity: Krishna as Parthasarathy.
• Significance: Arjun worshiped in this temple before going for battle of Kurukshetra.

11. Thirupuliyoor Sri Mayapiran Temple

• Place: Chengannur
• Deity: Mayapiran, a form of Lord Vishnu.
• Significance: Known for association with Bhima, one of many Pandavas.

12. Thiruvanparisaram Sri Krishnaswamy Temple

• Place: Nagercoil
• Deity: Krishna, idolized in a standing position.
• Significance: Distinctive due to the sculptured wooden works.

13. Thirumoozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal Temple 

• Place: Ernakulam 
• Deity: Lakshmana (Rama’s brother) as Lord Vishnu. 
• Significance: One of the few temples in the world where Lakshmana is idolized as the principal deity.

The History and Elusive Myths of Divya Desams in Kerala

Every temple has its legend and historical importance.

For example: 

• Lord Vishnu himself is believed to have consecrated the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
• At the Thiruvalla Sri Vallabha Temple, Lord Vishnu is believed to have appeared in front of Sage Durvasa.
• The Maha Bharata legends are said to be connected to the Thiruvanvandoor Temple.

Best Time to Visit and Getting to These Temples

Best Season: October to March (cold).

How to Get There: 

• Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, has the nearest airports
• Trains available to Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide

•  Dress Code: Local dress code applies (Men: Dhoti, Women: Saree or Salwar)
•  Temple Opening Hours: Usually operating 5 AM – 12 PM, 4 PM – 8 PM
•  Possibility of Rent: Available In Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Alappuzha

Read Also: Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide – Explore Sacred Temples & Destinations

Conclusion: Reasons to Visit Kerala’s Divya Desams

The Divya Desam situated in Kerala is a treasure for those who seek divinity, history, and heritage all in one place. Its ancient temples of Vishnu stands ever inviting to the devotees as a testimony to Kerala’s Vaishnavite culture.

A pilgrimage to these temples offers not only a religious journey but also serves as a window into the history of architecture and lore of Kerala. For believers, historians, and culture aficionados alike, visiting the temples is nothing short of divine. 

FAQs About Divya Desam in Kerala