Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
Subramanya (Thrikkidangoorappan) temple · Kidangoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple is a temple of Subramanya (Murugan) on Temple Road in Kidangoor, Kottayam district, Kerala (Kerala Tourism). The presiding deity is known locally as Thrikkidangoorappan (Kerala Tourism; Manorama Online). The temple stands on the bank of the Meenachil river, about a kilometre south of Kidangoor junction (Kidangoor Devaswom).
The Kidangoor Grama Panchayat lists the temple among the main places of worship that shape village life, and notes that people of all faiths join in its festival celebrations (Kidangoor Grama Panchayat). Its ten-day annual festival, held in February–March, features Kathakali, Koothu and Velakali (Kerala Tourism).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
The temple is one of the few where Chakyar Koothu is staged as a ritual rather than a stage show, with a performance in the Koothambalam on every festival day (Manorama Online). The Koothambalam houses an idol of the goddess Bhuvaneswari (Manorama Online). A form called Brahmachari Koothu is performed at the flag hoisting and flag lowering of the festival, and devotees also offer it as a prayer for children (Manorama Online).
The festival Velakali is performed by children during the evening Kazhcha Sreebali procession, and devotees regard the dancers as the army of Subramanya, commander of the gods (Manorama Online). Skanda Shashti in the Malayalam month of Thulam draws large numbers of devotees, many of whom keep the Shashti fast (Manorama Online), and the temple also observes a Shashti day each month (Kidangoor Devaswom).
Heritage
History of Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
According to a legend recorded by Kerala Tourism, the idol of Subramanya fell out of the water pot (kamandalu) of the sage Gauna, and the water that flowed out became the Gauna river, now the Meenachil (Kerala Tourism). The idol is said to have been carried by the water to a Vishnu shrine at Kidangoor and later installed in a new sanctum, which is the present temple (Kerala Tourism; Kidangoor Devaswom).
A different local tradition, recorded by the Kidangoor Grama Panchayat, says a travelling devotee carrying a sacred image rested at this spot before installing it at Kumaranalloor, and that a local chief then built the present Subramanya temple (Kidangoor Grama Panchayat). The same account says the resting place, 'Kidanna Ooru', gave the village its name (Kidangoor Grama Panchayat).
In earlier times a large trade fair was held on the sandy bank of the Meenachil during the temple festival, selling metal vessels and earthen pots, and a cattle market was held on the day after the festival (Kidangoor Grama Panchayat).
Architecture and sacred features
The temple has a Koothambalam, a traditional hall for Koothu performances, which Kerala Tourism features in its pilgrim-centre photo gallery (Kerala Tourism; Manorama Online). A gold-covered flagstaff topped by a peacock, the vehicle of Subramanya, stands before the shrine (Manorama Online).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Kidangoor Devaswom publishes its daily pooja schedule and takes bookings for offerings (vazhipadu) through its website (Kidangoor Devaswom). Confirm current timings and arrangements with the Kidangoor Devaswom before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Kidangoor Devaswom (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
Thiruvutsavam (annual festival)
A ten-day festival that begins with flag hoisting (Kodiyettu) on Karthika star day and includes Utsava Bali, Velakali, Koothu and Kathakali (Kerala Tourism). The Arattu (holy bath) is held at the Chembilavu Ponkunnathu Mahadeva Temple on the Meenachil, whose Shiva is regarded as the father of Thrikkidangoorappan (Kerala Tourism).
Skanda Shashti
Thousands of devotees attend, with special abhishekams and a midday Shashti pooja, and many keep the Shashti fast (Manorama Online).
Thaipooyam
Kidangoor is among the Subramanya temples where Thaipooyam is celebrated (Manorama Online; Kidangoor Devaswom).
Location
How to Reach Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
Kerala Tourism lists Kottayam railway station, about 17.2 km away, as the nearest railhead and Cochin International Airport, about 72.1 km away, as the nearest airport (Kerala Tourism). The same listing gives the nearest bus stop, the Temple bus stop, as about 160 m from the temple (Kerala Tourism).
Location: Kidangoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (about 72.1 km)
Nearest railway station: Kottayam (about 17.2 km)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Subramanya (Thrikkidangoorappan) temples · Temples in Meenachil Taluk · Temples in Kottayam District
Questions
Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kidangoor Subramanya Swamy Temple?
It is on Temple Road in Kidangoor, Kottayam district, Kerala (Kerala Tourism), on the bank of the Meenachil river (Kidangoor Devaswom).
Who is Thrikkidangoorappan?
Thrikkidangoorappan is the local name of Subramanya, the presiding deity of the temple (Kerala Tourism; Manorama Online).
What is the legend of the temple's idol?
According to tradition, the idol fell from the water pot of the sage Gauna and was carried by the water to a Vishnu shrine at Kidangoor, where it was later installed in a new sanctum (Kerala Tourism).
When is the main festival?
The ten-day annual festival falls in February–March, starting with flag hoisting on Karthika star day (Kerala Tourism).
What is special about Koothu at this temple?
Chakyar Koothu is staged as a ritual in the Koothambalam on every festival day, and Brahmachari Koothu is performed at the flag hoisting and lowering (Manorama Online).
Where is the Arattu held?
The Arattu takes place at the Chembilavu Ponkunnathu Mahadeva Temple on the Meenachil river (Kerala Tourism).
How do I reach the temple by train or air?
Kerala Tourism lists Kottayam railway station (about 17.2 km) and Cochin International Airport (about 72.1 km) as the nearest railhead and airport (Kerala Tourism).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q27998712 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Kidangoor Subramanya Temple — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Thiruvutsavam – Kidangoor Subramanya Swamy Temple Festival
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Koothambalam, Kidangoor Subrahmanya Temple
- Kidangoor Grama Panchayat (Local Self Government Department, Kerala) — History of Grama Panchayat
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — Koothambalam wakes; Chakyar Koothu at Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami temple
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — Kidangoor temple festival: Velakali in traditional style
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swami temple flagstaff
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — Kidangoor Subramanya Swami Temple (Skanda Shashti)
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — Thaipooyam rituals and offerings
- Kidangoor Devaswom — Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple
Further reading: Kidangoor Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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