Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple
Rama and Lakshmana (Lakshmana Perumal) temple · Vennimala, Puthuppally, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Photo: RajeshUnuppally at Malayalam Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple is a hilltop temple dedicated to Rama and Lakshmana at Vennimala in Puthuppally Grama Panchayat, Kottayam district, Kerala (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). The main idol is that of Lakshmana, worshipped as Lakshmana Perumal (Kerala Tourism). The panchayat describes it as one of Kerala's old and uncommon temples dedicated to Rama and Lakshmana, linked to several Ramayana legends (Puthuppally Grama Panchayat).
The temple is also tied to the history of the region, as Vennimala was once the capital of the Thekkumkoor kingdom (Onmanorama; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). Its annual festival and the Karkidaka Vavu Bali rites draw devotees from the surrounding area (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple
According to tradition, Vennimala is the place where Lakshmana won a victory, and the hill was once called Vijayadri (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). Kerala Tourism notes the local belief that Rama and Lakshmana passed this way during their exile and that Lakshmana defeated demonic forces here (Kerala Tourism).
Devotees believe the sixth day of the annual festival is the birthday of the deity (Kerala Tourism). The temple is also a place for Karkidaka Vavu Bali, the rite performed for departed ancestors on the new-moon day of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (Kerala Tourism).
Heritage
History of Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple
Local tradition credits the Chera ruler Cheraman Perumal with building the temple, and says he also raised a fort on the hill and named it Vijayadri (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). The Puthuppally panchayat's history page adds that, according to tradition, he endowed lands to the temple to support its rituals and temple arts (Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). These accounts are tradition rather than documented record.
After the Chera realm broke up, the temple came under the Thekkumkoor rulers, who held the region for a long period (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). Vennimala served as a capital of the Thekkumkoor kingdom (Onmanorama; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat), and Onmanorama describes the Sree Rama Lakshmana Temple there as historic (Onmanorama).
Architecture and sacred features
The Puthuppally panchayat's account says the temple complex included a nalambalam, a balikkalpura, entrance towers and a koothambalam, a hall for temple performance (Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). Kerala Tourism's festival listing notes that Chakyar Koothu and Kathakali are staged at the temple during the festival (Kerala Tourism).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Kapila Cave, a small rock shrine linked by tradition to the sage Kapila, is on Vennimala hill about one kilometre from the temple (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama). Festival and Vavu Bali arrangements vary from year to year, so confirm current arrangements with the temple administration before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple
Annual festival (Utsavam) ending in Arattu
The ten-day festival opens with flag hoisting and includes Utsavabali, Pallivetta, Theeyattu, Chakyar Koothu and Kathakali, ending with the deity's Arattu in the temple pond (Kerala Tourism). The sixth day is believed to be the deity's birthday (Kerala Tourism).
Karkidaka Vavu Bali
Devotees perform Balitharpanam for their ancestors at the temple on the new-moon day, and special poojas are held (Kerala Tourism).
Location
How to Reach Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple
Kerala Tourism lists Payyappady, about 2 km away, as the nearest junction and bus stop; Kottayam Railway Station, about 11.3 km away, as the nearest railhead; and Cochin International Airport, about 86 km away, as the nearest airport (Kerala Tourism). The temple's address is on the Payyappady–Vennimala Road in Puthuppally, Kottayam district (Kerala Tourism). During Karkidaka Vavu, bus services from Pampady, Puthuppally and Kottayam are arranged to the temple (Kerala Tourism).
Location: Vennimala, Puthuppally, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (about 86 km, per Kerala Tourism)
Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station (about 11.3 km, per Kerala Tourism)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Rama and Lakshmana (Lakshmana Perumal) temples · Temples in Kottayam Taluk · Temples in Kottayam District
Questions
Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple?
It is on Vennimala hill in Puthuppally Grama Panchayat, Kottayam district, Kerala, on the Payyappady–Vennimala Road (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat).
Who is the main deity at Vennimala?
The temple is dedicated to Rama and Lakshmana, and the main idol is Lakshmana, worshipped as Lakshmana Perumal (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat).
Who built the Vennimala temple?
According to local tradition, it was built by the Chera ruler Cheraman Perumal, who is also said to have built a fort on the hill named Vijayadri (Kerala Tourism; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat). This is tradition rather than documented history.
What is the link between Vennimala and the Thekkumkoor kingdom?
The temple later came under the Thekkumkoor rulers, and Vennimala served as a capital of the Thekkumkoor kingdom (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama; Puthuppally Grama Panchayat).
When is the Vennimala temple festival?
The annual ten-day festival is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March) and ends with the deity's Arattu in the temple pond (Kerala Tourism).
Is Vavu Bali performed at Vennimala?
Yes. Karkidaka Vavu Bali for departed ancestors is observed at the temple on the new-moon day of Karkidakam, which falls in July–August (Kerala Tourism).
What is Kapila Cave?
It is a small rock-cut cave shrine on Vennimala hill, about one kilometre from the temple, linked by tradition to the sage Kapila (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q25589693 — structured data (CC0)
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Ratholsavam – Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple (1000 Festivals of Kerala)
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Karkida Vaavu Bali – Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple (1000 Festivals of Kerala)
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Kapila Cave, Vennimala
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Kapila Cave, Kottayam: cave shrine and rock formation (photo gallery)
- Puthuppally Grama Panchayat (Local Self Government Department, Kerala) — Religious Institutions
- Puthuppally Grama Panchayat (Local Self Government Department, Kerala) — Socio-Cultural History
- Onmanorama — Kerala High Court and the Vennimala treasure hunt
- Vennimala Temple (official site) — About – Vennimala Temple
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