Built 3500 years ago by Lord Parashurama, this Haripad temple is one of the oldest and largest Subramanya Swami temples in the whole of Kerala. It’s so old that it was established even before the advent of Kaliyuga!
The temple is a stunning piece of traditional architecture, with four towering gopurams that’ll leave you in awe. The Haripad temple is also famous for its Kodimaram or golden flagpost. It’s the longest one in all of Kerala, so you can’t miss it even if you tried! And if you’re wondering how they keep that flagpost so shiny, maybe it’s a secret!
But wait, there’s more! The temple also boasts of having one of the largest temple ponds in Kerala, called Perumkulam. It’s so massive that it stretches over five acres! Imagine taking a dip in that a hot summer day. Pure bliss!
Legend has it that the temple’s idol was used by Lord Parasurama himself for Poojas and was later found in Kayamkulam lake. It’s said that all the landlords of Eakachakra (the then Haripad) had a vision of the idol at the same time, which led them to find it.
And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, there’s also a small temple called “Ara Nazhika Ambalam,” where the idol was kept for half an hour under a banyan tree that belonged to a Christian family called Tharakanmar. Yup, you heard that right. A Christian family keeping a Hindu idol under their tree. Only in Kerala, folks!
So, if you’re a history buff, a temple enthusiast, head on over to the Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple.