Temples in Trivandrum area (8/12/23)

Shaji picked us up early to take us to the Akkutal Temple.  This temple is very famous.  It is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.  In 2018, there were 2.5 million women who attended the annual event.    In March, women make a pilgrimage to this temple and only women are allowed to come within a 5-10 km radius of the temple.  Many men leave their homes and others open their homes to other women.  They are known for the pungal that they make.




John and I are standing just outside the entrance to the temple.  John needed to wear long pants but didn't need a dhoti.  We took off our shoes and left them in the car.  Shaji went into the temple with us, thankfully.  When we got out of the car, I heard sounds that sounded like gun shots.  Shaji said it was fireworks which is very common at temples.  People pay 30 rupees for fireworks to be shot as an offering to the gods.  We saw lemon candle offerings.  Shaji walked us inside and explained some of the gods and altars.  John was knowledgeable about the gods based on religious texts he has read.  

While inside the temple, they are selling sweets.  Shaji bought us some treats for 30 rupees.  John tried it immediately.  I saved mine for later and then it was too hard to eat.  I learned a lesson and next time, I will eat it while it's fresh.


I really love the goparum, the monumental tower in southern India. It's very colorful. 




After we left that temple, Shaji took us to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.  It is the richest temple in India.  The goparum is covered in gold. Men must wear a dhoti to go into this temple and no shirt.  We are not allowed to go inside because we are not Hindu.

 



John is standing next to the temple tank with the temple behind him.  The priests can go down into the water to cleanse themselves before entering the temple.


Here are some of the spices and colors to put on the forehead after making offerings to the gods.

The is the Ganesh (elephant) temple.  People come to this temple when buying a new car or a new house.  This is supposed to be a good thing for starting something new.

Shaji said the car dealers will even arrange to take you to this temple from the dealership.

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