According to legend, nine sages—the Navayogis—attempted to install sacred Vishnu salagramas here; the first eight sank completely, while the ninth sank to its knees. Only above-the-knee form of the idol is visible today. Architecture of the Temple The temple is a fine example of Kerala temple architecture, enclosed by a rectangular wall (kshetra-matilluka) with gateways leading into an outer pavilion (chuttambalam).Inside lies the nalambalam (pillared corridors), a namaskara mandapam, and the sri kovil (sanctum), elevated and approached by five steps. Only the upper portion of the 6‑ft, panchaloha-covered stone deity is visible—its lower half remains underground. The deity is poised with the conch (Panchajanya), discus (Sudarshana Chakra), mace (Kaumodaki), and lotus .Intricate wood and stucco carvings—featuring scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata—adorn the temple roof and walls. The superstructure combines granite base with laterite, terracotta tiles, and timber to endure monsoon rains. A separate shrine to Goddess Lakshmi (Malarmangai Nachiyar) exists within the complex. Additional deities include Ganapati and Ayyappa Swami How to Reach to Temple By Road: Around 10 km south of Tirur; accessible via buses, autos, and taxis. By Rail: Thirunavaya Railway Station (~1.5–2 km) is nearest; Kuttippuram (~7 km) and Tirur (~11 km) stations are also options . By Air: The closest airport is Calicut International Airport (~42–43 km) Temple Timings Temple Location

Legend holds that the temple’s idol was found in the sea by a Pandya king following a divine dream. He retrieved the idol and built a temple around it. Architecture of the Temple Built in ancient Pandya-Kerala architectural style, featuring: Unique features: an ancient bell cast from a Dutch shipwreck—donated as a vow by its captain after his ship was freed following the bell’s placement in the temple. A round sanctum (sreekovil) topped with a conical copper-sheeted roof, and a square mandapa with wooden Navagraha carvings on the ceiling. Inner entrance adorned with idols of Hanuman and Garuda; main shrine houses Lord Janardana with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The complex includes shrines for Shiva, Ganesha, Shastha, Naga, and others. How to Reach to Temple By Road: Varkala is about 45 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. By Train: Nearest is Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station, just 2–3 km from the temple. By Air: Trivandrum International Airport lies approximately 50–55 km away. Temple Timings Temple Location

The site remained relatively obscure until the early 20th century, when Jagadguru Sachidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi, the 33rd Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Mutt, established two temples (for Adi Shankara and Goddess Sharadamba) in 1910, with support from Maharaja Moolam Thirunal of Travancore. Architecture of the Temple The temple complex exhibits traditional Kerala architectural style, featuring tiled sloping roofs and simple, elegant structural designs The Sri Adi Shankara Keerthi Stambha Mandapam—an eight-story memorial built by the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt—offers panoramic views and narrates Shankara’s life through sculptures and murals Other notable features include the Crocodile Ghat (Muthala Kadavu), the site where Shankara is said to have taken his vows of renunciation, and the Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram nearby How to Reach to Temple By Air: Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery) – ~7 km away By Train: Nearest is Angamaly Railway Station (~7–12 km), or Aluva Railway Station (~22 km) By Road: Kalady lies ~10 km from Angamaly via NH47/SH1. Local buses from Angamaly/Kochi connect to Kalady . Local Transport: Frequent KSRTC/private buses, autos, and taxis are available. Temple Timings Temple Location

It also houses a shrine to Lord Shiva. The temple is administered by the Malabar Devaswom Board. Architecture of the Temple Style: Exemplifies traditional Kerala temple architecture with sloping tiled roofs and elegant wooden structures. Artistic Elements: Features exquisite wood carvings and some of the oldest mural paintings in Kerala, richly depicting mythological themes. How to Reach to Temple By Road: The temple is accessible from Koyilandy bus stand; taxis and autos are readily available. By Rail: Nearest station is Koyilandy, about 3 km away. Kozhikode station is approximately 7 km from the temple area . By Air: Calicut International Airport lies around 31–32 km away Temple Timings Temple Location