I’ve always known Kerala for its serene backwaters and lush greenery, but this time, I decided to explore a different side — the spiritual one. Along with three of my closest friends, I set out on a journey across Kerala’s 13 Divya Desams, the sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu mentioned in Tamil Vaishnavite literature.
What began as a temple-hopping plan soon became one of the most soul-stirring experiences of my life. Here’s my full Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide — our personal route, what we saw, where we stayed, and how the journey changed us.
What Are Kerala Divya Desams?
Before we hit the road, I wanted to understand what “Divya Desam” meant. These are 108 sacred Vishnu temples mentioned in the works of the Alwars (Vaishnavite saints).
Out of 108, 13 Divya Desams are located in Kerala, spread across beautiful towns like Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Chengannur, and Tirunavaya.
List of 13 Kerala Divya Desams:
| Temple Name | Location | Deity |
| Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple | Thiruvananthapuram | Lord Vishnu (reclining posture) |
| Thiruvattar Adikesava Perumal Temple | Kanyakumari (near Kerala border) | Adikesava Perumal |
| Thiruvananthapuram Thirupalkadal | Thiruvananthapuram | Ksheerabdhi Nathan |
| Thiruvanparisaram | Near Nagercoil | Thirukuralappan |
| Thirukkurungudi | Nagercoil | Vaikuntanathan |
| Thiruvithuvakodu | Palakkad | Uyyavanda Perumal |
| Thirunavaya | Malappuram | Nava Mukundan |
| Thirumittacode | Palakkad | Uyyavandha Perumal |
| Thiruvanvandoor | Chengannur | Paambanaiappan |
| Thiruvalla | Pathanamthitta | Kolapiran (Vallabha Perumal) |
| Thiruchittatt | Chengannur | Imayavarappan |
| Thiruvanparisaram | Kanyakumari | Thirukuralappan |
| Thiruppuliyur | Chengannur | Mayapiran |
Each temple has its own charm, rituals, and stories — and visiting them all was like reading a divine travel diary of Kerala’s soul.
Day 1–2: Thiruvananthapuram – The Royal Beginning of the Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide
We landed in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city and home to the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple — the richest temple in the world. The temple’s gold-plated sanctum and the reclining Lord Vishnu idol instantly made us feel blessed.
We also visited:
- Thirupalkadal Temple – Representing Lord Vishnu resting on the ocean of milk.
- Kuthiramalika Palace – To see Kerala’s royal art and wooden carvings.
By evening, we relaxed at Kovalam Beach, watching the sunset and sipping tender coconut water.
Day 3–4: Chengannur Circuit – The Cluster of Divya Desams
From Thiruvananthapuram, we drove to Chengannur, which houses multiple Divya Desams close to each other — perfect for spiritual explorers.
We visited:
- Thiruvanvandoor Temple – Dedicated to Paambanaiappan.
- Thiruchittatt Temple – Known for its unique architecture and serene atmosphere.
- Thiruppuliyur Temple – A peaceful shrine surrounded by coconut groves.
The drive between these temples felt heavenly — lush greenery, river bridges, and small tea stalls along the way.
Travel Tip: Most of these temples are within 10–20 km, so you can comfortably visit 3–4 in a single day.
Day 5: Thiruvalla – The Land of Vallabha Perumal
Next, we reached Thiruvalla, famous for the Sree Vallabha Temple, another Divya Desam. The 50-foot flag mast carved entirely from a single block of granite is a sight to behold!
The temple rituals were mesmerizing — rhythmic drum beats, chanting priests, and hundreds of lamps illuminating the courtyard.
After darshan, we explored local eateries serving Kerala sadhya (traditional meal) on banana leaves. My friends couldn’t stop talking about the avial and payasam!
Day 6: Palakkad – Temples Amidst Paddy Fields
Palakkad welcomed us with its serene countryside charm. We visited:
- Thiruvithuvakodu Temple – Dedicated to Lord Uyyavanda Perumal.
- Thirumittacode Temple – Surrounded by paddy fields and village life.
We stayed at a local homestay run by a traditional Kerala family who served us puttu, kadala curry, and fresh filter coffee.
Day 7: Thirunavaya – The Temple by the Bharathapuzha River
Our final major stop was Thirunavaya, near Malappuram. This temple is one of the most significant Kerala Divya Desams, dedicated to Nava Mukundan.
It’s believed that every devotee must visit this temple at least once for moksha (liberation). The temple sits on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River, and the atmosphere was deeply peaceful.
We ended the evening watching the river shimmer under the golden sunset, feeling like our journey had come full circle.
What We Ate on Our Kerala Divya Desam Journey
Food was a highlight of this spiritual trip. Everywhere we went, we found temples offering prasadam, and local eateries serving authentic Kerala flavors.
Must-Try Kerala Dishes:
| Dish | Description |
| Appam & Stew | Soft rice pancakes with coconut milk curry. |
| Kerala Sadhya | Traditional feast with over 20 dishes on banana leaves. |
| Puttu & Kadala Curry | Steamed rice flour cylinders with chickpea curry. |
| Payasam | Sweet milk dessert, a temple specialty. |
We also stopped at tea shops for banana fritters (pazham pori) and fresh chai between temple visits — small joys that made the trip even sweeter.
Best Time to Visit Kerala Divya Desams
| Season | Months | Experience |
| Winter | November – February | Ideal weather for temple visits and travel. |
| Summer | March – May | Hot, but less crowded. |
| Monsoon | June – September | Lush landscapes, but heavy rains may affect travel. |
We went in December, and it was perfect — clear skies and festive temple vibes everywhere.
How to Reach
By Air: Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi are the best starting points with international airports.
By Train: Kerala’s railway network connects most temple towns.
By Road: The NH-66 and NH-544 make road trips smooth and scenic.
We rented a car for flexibility and comfort — highly recommended if you’re traveling with friends.
Where to Stay
| Location | Stay Type | Recommendation |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Budget hotels | Near Padmanabhaswamy Temple |
| Chengannur | Guesthouses | Near the main Divya Desams |
| Thiruvalla | Business hotels | City center |
| Palakkad | Homestays | Rural surroundings |
Most temples also have Devaswom guest houses that can be booked in advance for simple stays.
Festivals and Rituals
If you can, plan your trip around Vaikunta Ekadasi or Vishu, when the temples are decorated beautifully with lights, flowers, and chants. During these times, visiting all the Kerala Divya Desams feels even more divine.
Final Thoughts – Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide
Our Kerala Divya Desam Travel Guide wasn’t just a journey across temples — it was a spiritual awakening. From the grandeur of Padmanabhaswamy to the serenity of Thirunavaya, every temple felt like a whisper of peace and devotion.
Kerala truly lives up to its title — God’s Own Country, and this divine trail showed me that spirituality here is as natural as its rivers and hills.
If you ever want to combine faith, culture, food, and nature, this route through the Kerala Divya Desams is the perfect path to take.
