places of worship

  • Anakkallu St. Mary's Forane Church 

Anaikkal St. Mary’s Forane Church

Anaikkal St. Mary’s Forane Church in Bharananganam is a well-known and historically significant church. There is an interesting legend associated with the origin of the name “Anaikkal.”

More than a thousand years ago, when a decision was taken to construct a church in Bharananganam, a dispute arose among the local people regarding the location where the church should be built. As it became clear that the issue could not be resolved through discussions, the mediators arrived at a unique solution. They decided to tie the foundation stone of the proposed church to the trunk of an elephant that was present there. Wherever the elephant placed the stone, the church would be constructed at that spot. Both groups agreed to this arrangement.

According to the legend, more than a thousand years ago, the elephant walked to the place where the church stands today and placed the stone there. Thus, the place came to be known as Anaikkal. The church has recently celebrated its millennium anniversary.

The Feast of St. Sebastian at Bharananganam Forane Church and the Arattu festival of the Bharananganam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple are traditionally celebrated on the same day in January. The Kolvilakku (ceremonial lamp) used in the church procession is believed to have been presented by the Bharananganam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple several centuries ago. In return, the Muthukkuda (ceremonial umbrella) presented by the church to the temple is also used during temple ceremonies.

These traditions stand as a remarkable example of the deep religious harmony and communal unity that have existed in Bharananganam for centuries. Similar inspiring examples of religious harmony can be found in many parts of Kerala.

  • ഭരണങ്ങാനം ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ സ്വാമി  ക്ഷേത്രം 

Bharananganam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

The famous Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is situated in Bharananganam in Kottayam district, Kerala. The presence of this renowned temple has earned Bharananganam the distinction of being known as “Dakshina Guruvayur” (Southern Guruvayur).

The temple is associated with numerous mythological legends connected with the Pancha Pandavas. It is believed that the temple was consecrated by Dharmaputra (Yudhishthira) during the Dwapara Yuga. The four-armed idol of Lord Krishna, carved from the sacred Krishnanjana stone, is of extraordinary religious significance. An idol of comparable distinction is believed to exist only at Guruvayur.

The temple is also renowned for its unique banyan tree lamp, which is believed to be more than three centuries old and is said not to cast a shadow. The exquisite wooden sculptures of the Ashtadikpalakas (Guardians of the Eight Directions) on the ceiling of the Balikkalpura add to the spiritual and artistic grandeur of the temple.

A grand annual festival is celebrated in the temple every January, extending over eight days and attracting large numbers of devotees.

The temple also has its own elephant named Ganapathi and a Goshala (cow shelter) known as Ambadi.

In addition to Lord Krishna, the temple has several subsidiary deities, including Shastha, Ganapathi, Bhagavathi, Nagaraja, Nagakanya and Sarpa, which are worshipped as part of the temple's rich religious traditions.