Kerala Divya Desam Tour Packages: All 13 Malai Nadu Temples in 4 Days, Kozhikode to Thiruvananthapuram

Today you start early, so please leave Guruvayur by half past six. The drive south to Moozhikulam is about 75 km, a little over two hours. The Lakshmana Perumal temple here may close its morning doors by ten, so this is the one temple you must not be late for.

Moozhikulam is one of the four Nalambalam temples, the temples of the four brothers of the Ramayana. Rama is at Triprayar, Bharata at Koodalmanikyam in Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana here at Moozhikulam, and Shatrughna at Payammal. In the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (mid July to mid August), which Kerala calls the Ramayana month, families try to see all four in a single day. Outside that month, the temple is calm.

From Moozhikulam it is about 25 km, around 45 minutes, to Thrikkakara on the edge of Kochi. This is the temple of Vamana, the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu. Tradition says Thrikkakara was the capital of King Mahabali, whom Vamana sent to the underworld. This is why Kerala's Onam celebrations begin at this temple. Try to finish darshan here before eleven.

Have lunch in Kochi and then rest in the car. The next drive is the longest of the day, about 85 km and a little over two hours, south to Thrikodithanam near Changanassery. All the temples are closed in the afternoon, so you lose nothing on the road. Reach Thrikodithanam when the evening doors open around five. The Lord here is Adbhutha Narayana, the wondrous Narayana. This temple is linked to Sahadeva, the youngest of the five Pandavas, who is believed to have worshipped the Lord here. A popular local legend adds that when Sahadeva could not find an idol and was ready to give up his life, the idol appeared before him, and that is how the Lord came to be called Adbhuta, the wonder.

Thiruvalla is only about 9 km away, about 15 minutes. Have darshan of Sreevallabha in the evening and check in at your hotel. Something special happens here at night: Kathakali is performed in this temple as a regular offering to the Lord, often late into the night. Ask at the temple office whether there is a performance tonight. For dinner, Hotel Aryaas Park at Deepa Junction on MC Road serves South Indian vegetarian food. For breakfast tomorrow, try puttu with kadala curry, steamed rice and coconut with black chickpea curry.

What to buy today: if you leave very early, you can stop at Chendamangalam, about 17 km from Moozhikulam, for its handloom dhoti and set-mundu, which are officially registered as a genuine local craft. The stop adds about an hour, so only do it if Moozhikulam darshan is over well before nine.

Special Tips for This Day: Moozhikulam is the temple that decides this day. If you are late, you lose it. So please do not delay the early start. Pack lunch snacks, because we found no strong pure vegetarian restaurant near Moozhikulam or Thrikkakara. If you want to see the night Kathakali, rest in the afternoon, since it can run past midnight.

Today you have the most rewarding morning of the tour, and the earliest. Leave Thiruvalla at half past five. The smaller temples here may close by ten, and you have four to see.

First you drive about 19 km, about 35 minutes, to Aranmula on the Pamba river, the temple of Parthasarathy, Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer. Tradition says Arjuna built the first shrine near Sabarimala, and the idol was later brought down the Pamba on a raft made of six bamboos. The name Aranmula is linked to those six bamboos. Every year, on Uthrattathi day in the Malayalam month of Chingam, the snake boats called palliyodams race on the river here. In 2026 the race was on 30 August, with 51 palliyodams. From about mid August to early October, the temple also serves the Valla Sadya, a feast of up to 64 dishes offered to the rowers.

From Aranmula drive about 15 km to Thiruvanvandoor, the temple of Pambanaiyappan, named after the Pamba river. This is the temple of Nakula. Then Thrichittatt in Chengannur is only about 5 km away. The Lord here is Imayavarappan, and tradition says Yudhishthira worshipped here to atone for the half-lie he spoke to Drona in the Kurukshetra war. Thiruppuliyur, Bhima's temple, is another 5 km. Here the Lord Mayapiran stands in a fierce form, and pal payasam is the main offering. With Thrikodithanam yesterday, you have now seen all five Pandava temples.

Have an early lunch in Chengannur town, or carry a packed meal from your Thiruvalla hotel. Then drive about 124 km, around three hours, to Thiruvananthapuram. Check in and rest. In the evening, dress carefully and go for darshan at Sree Padmanabhaswamy. Here the Lord reclines on the serpent Anantha. Darshan times come in short slots, so we confirm the evening slot with you on the day.

For dinner, Ariya Nivaas near Thampanoor, close to the Central railway station, is a well-loved pure vegetarian restaurant. If you would rather have a full Kerala sadya on a banana leaf, Mothers Veg Plaza at Bakery Junction is known for its sadya at lunchtime.

What to buy today: the Aranmula kannadi, a hand-made mirror of polished metal, not glass. It is officially registered as a genuine Aranmula craft. Buy it in Aranmula at a craftsman's workshop or at a government emporium, and ask for a certificate of authenticity.

Special Tips for This Day: Lay out your temple clothes the night before, because this morning moves fast. From mid November to mid January, Chengannur is the railway gateway for Sabarimala and is packed with pilgrims. Expect slow traffic. At Padmanabhaswamy, leave phones, cameras, big bags and smart watches at the locker counter; the temple's own website lists them as not allowed. Elders can sit and rest in the outer corridors, which are wide and shaded.

Today you cross into Tamil Nadu for the last two Divya Desams. Leave at half past six. The drive to Thiruvattar is about 49 km, around an hour and a quarter.

Thiruvattar is the temple of Adikesava Perumal, who reclines on the serpent, much like Sree Padmanabhaswamy. The idol is about 22 feet long and faces west, while Padmanabhaswamy faces east, so tradition says the two look towards each other across the land. Three rivers flow around the temple on three sides. Its style and rituals closely resemble Sree Padmanabhaswamy. Visitors report that men take off the shirt and vest here too, so wear your mundu, carry a shawl, and follow the notice at the gate.

Then drive about 31 km, a little over an hour, to Thiruvanparisaram near Nagercoil, also called Thiruppathisaram. The Lord here is Thiruvazhmarban, your thirteenth and last Malai Nadu Divya Desam. Take a quiet moment here. Your Malai Nadu count is complete.

Across the border the food turns Tamil. For a breakfast of dosa, idli and vada, try Arya Bhavan in Nagercoil, a pure vegetarian restaurant with branches on Court Road and Cape Road.

From Thiruvanparisaram the drive back to Thiruvananthapuram airport is about 75 km, about two hours. Book a flight that leaves after about three in the afternoon, so there is no rush at the airport. If you have time, stop at Balaramapuram on the way, just south of Thiruvananthapuram city.

What to buy today: Balaramapuram handloom sarees and set-mundu, the cream cotton with a gold border. This weaving is officially registered as a genuine local craft. Buy at a weavers' cooperative society in Balaramapuram or at a Hantex outlet, the Kerala government handloom cooperative. Many sarees sold as Balaramapuram handloom are in fact made on power looms, so look for the government Handloom Mark label, whose QR code you can scan to check it. In true Balaramapuram weaving the patterns are picked out by hand, so the design looks the same on both sides of the cloth.

Lesser-known fact: Balaramapuram weaving goes back more than two centuries. Under Maharaja Balarama Varma of Travancore, weavers from Tamil Nadu were invited to settle in this town.

Special Tips for This Day: Keep your passport or ID and boarding pass handy before you leave the hotel, since you go straight to the airport. Tell the driver if you want the Balaramapuram stop, because the new highway can bypass the town. If your flight is in the evening, you can add Kanyakumari, about 20 km from Thiruvanparisaram, for the sea and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial; ask us when you book.