An ancient temple dedicated to Nava Mukunda, a form of Lord Vishnu is located at Thirunavaya, on the shores of Bharathapuzha. It is believed that the idol installed in this temple is the ninth idol installed by famous saints known as Navayogis. Legends tell that first eight idols disappeared as soon as they are placed and the ninth one sunk up to knee by which time it was forcibly stopped.
Mamiyur Mahadevan temple is located at a close distance of Guruvayurappan temple. It is believed that the pilgrim tour to Guruvayur will not be complete without offering prayers at Mammiyur temple. The temple enshrines Lord Shiva and it is believed that Parvathy is also present inside the sanctorum. The temple is located at a spot where Lord Shiva is moved after donating his place for Guruvayurappan temple.
Harikanyaka Temple is located at Ariyanoor, a neighboring hamlet of Guruvayur. It is believed that this ancient temple was constructed by the by Perumthachan. This is a preserved structure and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.
It is believed that the idol in this temple is 5,000 years old and is worshipped by Lord Brahma at Dwaraka and was gifted to Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Krishna. Legend statess that after Lord Krishna left for his heavenly abode, the holy city of Dwaraka was to be submerged. The instructor of the Devas, Guru Brihaspati and god of the winds, Vayu were asked to find a holy place for the idol. At the end of a long search for an appropriate site they entered Kerala and met Sree Parasurama, creator of Kerala. The idol was installed at this spot and called Guruvauurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur. Since Guru and Vayu installed the idol the place was called Guruvayurappa and later as Guruvayur.
Renowned as one of the 108 Shivalayas (Abode of Shiva) the Chowalloor Shiva Temple is in the neighborhood of Guruvayur. The temple location is scenic, calm and cool. The premier deity is Shiva with a special Shivalinga installed in the sanctum Sanctorum.
There is an image of Thiruvambadi Krishna in a shrine just at the entrance of the Shiva temple. The surroundings are best places to spend hours together in solitude. Evenings at this place are attractive and rejuvenating.
Chamundeswari Temple is located in the close proximity of Guruvayur temple. The presiding deity is Sri Chamundeswari, a revered form of Lord Durga. There is a separate shrine in the premise of this temple devoted to Thazhthukavu Bhagavathy. This deity is placed as a simple stone slab. The temple boasts many years age and the temple witness regular flow of devotees all through the year.
Mangalam Devi Temple is just a jumple of ruins and the views are magnificiant. The festival of this temple falls on the day of 'Chaitra Pournami'
Vaikam Mahadeva temple is the most famous Shiva temple in the Central Kerala and is located at Vaikam, a historical town near to Chottanikkara. Mythological stories relate Parasuraman, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, to the installation of Shiva linga at this place. Other mythology relates the origin of this temple to Kharasuran, who installed three Shiva temples at the corners of an equilateral triangle, Vaikam, Ettumanur and Kaduthurithy.
Sree Poornathrayesa temple is located in Tripunithura very close to Chottaniokkara. The present temple is a renovated one after a huge fire broke out in 1900s. The temple has a history of more than 1000 years. The prime deity in the temple is Poornathrayesan, a miraculous form of Lord Vishnu. It is in the form of Santhanagopala moorthy. Poornathrayesan was the family deity of the Royal Perumpadappu Swaroopam Family, who ruled Cochin Kingdom for many years.
The Kaduthuruthy temple, also known as Thali temple, is one of the three famous Shiva temples in Central Kerala. The temple is placed at the backdrop of scenic Vembanad Lake nad is placed at the top of a small hill. The Shiva idol is believed to be installed by Kharasura (Khara demon) and is one of the three idols he worshipped. Other two idols enshrine Ettumanoor and Vaikom.
