Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

About Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

It is about 17kms from the city. It is a historic spot which was left unnoticed for long time. There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple. The granite cave here encloses a one cell shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshnimurthi.he outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi. Rock Cut Caves in Vizhinjam, Kerala Rock Cut Sculptors are basically found in the cave temple and serves as an evidence for ancient glory and wonder of Kerala.The areas in and around Vizhinjam are known for its world class Ayurvedic treatment centers and Internationally acclaimed Beach Resorts. There is a small sea port in Vizhinjam. Kovalam(a tourist destination) beach is only 3kms away from Vizhinjam. As soon as Cheenu saw this post, he remarked the close resemblance to the Tripurantaka Shiva of Vizinjam to the Mallai penance panel Shiva. The ear rings and the facial features are remarkably similar. Let see both of them side by side and try to spot the similarities.

Interesting things to Visit

Napier Museum :

A great architectural creation, the Napier Museum best represents the combination of the traditional Kerala style with the Mughal and the Chinese Influence. An English architect by the name of Chisholm designed the mansion in 19 th century. In present times it houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artifacts.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery :

Sree Chitra Art Gallery is Established in 1935,The art gallery has a 100 years old world famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering Indian patron of art in oil painting, who was born and brought up at Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala. The Artistic grandeur of Bengal school of Arts is best exemplified here.

Padmanabhaswamy temple :

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is seen reclining on the Anantha serpent. The temple consists of a tower built of seven stories with rising pillars and intricate carvings decorated with mural paintings. Only peoples from the Hindu religion are allowed inside the temple premises places to the eastern side of the old fort ruins.

Pozhikara Beach:

Pozhikara Beach is a nearby haunt beloved by tourists. The Karamana and Parvathy Puthanaar Rivers empty into the Arabian Sea at this spot.

The Akulam Boat Club:

Its just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram is another famed tourist attraction. The club provides boating cruises on the nearby Akulam Lake. A bat ride from here to the Karamana River will cost approximately . It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.

Kanakakunnu Palace:

The Kanakakunnu Palace is sited adjacent to the Napier Museum in Trivandrum. The Kanakakunnu Palace was built during the rule of the Travancore King. Royal banquets viewed the palace as the main venue. Later Sree Chithira Tirunal altered the palace and built tennis courts inside the palace premises.

The Three beaches :

The Kovalam palm beach line is formed by three seperate beaches. The most popular beach is the southern-most Lighthouse Beach. The middle beach is called Hawah beach. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.

Vizhinjam Beach:

Vizhinjam was once a commercial centre for the Europeans, Portuguese and Dutch who had trade ties with the local kings. The attractions at Vizhinjam are the ruins of rock-cut temples. The beach offers everything that is associated with seaside destinations of Kerala. There are fishing boats jostling for space, fishermen repairing their fishing nets and women haggling over the price of the day’s catch.

Nearest Visiting places

Pallippuram Fort :

Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vyppin Island at Pallippuram. The catholic church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre of the Christians.

Ponmudi:

An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 913 met~s above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails. Food: KTDC restaurant.

The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum :

Its archeological museum adjacent to the Shiva temple in Durbar Hall Road,Ernakulam. This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Scriptures in stone & Plaster of Paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. In the earlier days the museum was the Durbar Hall of Cochin Rajas where guests were welcomed, and where official ceremonies and meetings were held. Now under the State Archaeological Department.

Agasthyakoodam:

Lying at an altitude of 1,890 m, Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala. It forms part of Western Ghats and the Agasthyavanam forest, The hill is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. For Buddhists, it is the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; for Hindus it is the abode of sage Agastya, a disciple of Lord Shiva.The hills are rich in medicinal plants, herbs and many species of birds and wild animals. Trekking to the top takes two days and is only permitted between December and April.

Paripally Gajamela:

Paripally, 48 km north of Trivandrum is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50 elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival in the month of February-March.

Kanyakumari:

This is the land`s end of India and is only 87 km from Trivandrum. This is also known as Cape Comorin. This beautiful spot is located in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu state. This place has got international recognition because of Vivekananda who started his journey from this place.

Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad:

Located on the way to the Ponmudi Hill Station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 13th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple:

There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture ofVinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi

Sree Chithra Art Gallery:

Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Raiput, Mughal andTanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Ball.

Chacha Nehru Children`s Museum:

Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. Observatory: Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird`s eye view of the city from here.

Anivikkara Dam:

This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full offish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Santa Cruz Basilica Church :

This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St. Francis church and is worth a visit. It is a specimen of Portuguese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’ and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. The gothic architecture and the lofty spires gives it a unique grandeur
Bolghatty Island : Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Willington Island :

Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge, Willington Island is named after the former Viceroy of India, Lord Willington. It is a manmade Island created from the materials dredged while deepening Cochin Port. Willington Island sites some of the district’s best hotels, Trading and industrial offices. Besides the airport, ship building yard, wharf, the Southern Naval Command Head Quarters, the customs house and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the government of India

Chinese Fishing Nets :

A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of Chinese Nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront. These are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts, still to be in use by the local fisher folk of Fort Cochin.

Vyppin light house :

The biggest Island, situated between the sea and the backwaters of Cochin. It is 24 km long and 2 1/2 km wide. There is a light house at Ochanthuruthu which is open to tourists from 3 pm to 5 pm. The Island can be reached only by water transport provided by boat services and Junkar. There are bus services on the Island.

Nearest Petrol Pump

Vellar Petrol Pump
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Chalai, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Karamana Petrol Pump
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala.

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
NH 47, Karamana
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

IOC Petrol Pump
Thirumala
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Hill & Sea View Beach Resort
Mottavila , Avaduthura
Vizhinjam ( P .O )
Kovalam, Kerala 695521
Tel: 099 27420034

Shirleysbeach Hotels and Tour operators
Behind Coconut Groove restaurant,
kovalam Beach, trivandrum
Kerala 695527
Tel: 0471 2317303.

Holiday Accommodation Rentals India
Kovalam, Trivandrum
Kerala 695003
Tel: 098 95112230.

Hotel Uday Samudra
G V Raja Road
Samudra Beach, Kovalam
Kerala 695527
Tel:0471 2481654.

Travancore Heritage Hotel
Chowara Post Office
Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam
Kerala 695 501
Tel: 0471 2267828.

Holiday Home Resort
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695527.

Samudra Hotel
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala
Tel:0471 2480089.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Police Station
Parassala Vellarada Road
Parassala, Kerala
Tel: 0471 22020230

Pothencode Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nedumangad Police Station
Nedumangad
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Mangalapuram Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Al Arif Hospital
Trivandrum Vizhinjam Road
Manacaud, Trivandrum
Kerala
Tel:0471 2381715.

Divya Prabha Eye Hospital
Kumarapuram, Trivandrum,
Kerala 695011
Tel:0471 2442050.

JDRC
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel:0471 2356200.

ROY MEDICAL CENTRE
Thycaud Hospital Road
Opp. Amritha Hotel,Trivandrum,
Kerala 695014
Tel:09387809779.

Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2722125.

Medical College Hospital
TrivandrumKerala-
Tel: 0471 2444270.

Link:

http://pazhayathu.blogspot.com/2009/02/rock-cut-temple-at-vizhinjam-near.html
http://travellallaround.blogspot.com/2008/05/thiruvananthapuram-capital-of-kerala\_14.html
http://channeljohn.blogspot.com/2008/08/vizhinjam-is-coastal-town-in-capital.html

Location info

• Address: Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

• District: Thiruvananthapuram district.

• Nearest City: Kanyakumari, Madurai, Kochi , Nedumangad, veli, valiyachala, Kollam, Trivendrum.

• Best time to visit: December to May.

Climate & weather

The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and The temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C.

Things to do at Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

You can see the granite cave of Shiva and Parvathi.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Kerala’s towns and cities offer diverse food ranging from traditional Kerala sadhya to multi-cuisine restaurants. Kochi has a thriving food scene with influences from Arab, Portuguese, and Jewish traders. Temple festivals feature traditional Kerala vegetarian feasts.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Kerala has some of India’s finest church architecture. The Santa Cruz Basilica in Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church (India’s oldest European church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried), and the numerous Syrian Christian churches across the backwaters feature distinctive Kerala-style facades mingling European and local design. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light.

Best time to visit Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

The best time to visit Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple is from November to February when the weather is pleasant for temple visits and festival participation. Major temple festivals occur between December and May. The monsoon months bring heavy rain which can disrupt travel plans.

Timings & opening hours

Most temples in Kerala open early morning around 4:00 AM–5:00 AM for the first pooja and close by 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. They reopen in the evening from 5:00 PM–6:00 PM and remain open until 8:00 PM–8:30 PM for the final pooja. Specific timings vary by temple and may be reduced during restricted days.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to most temples in Kerala is free. Special darshan tickets, if available, may cost between INR 50–200. Camera fees may apply: INR 20–50 for still cameras, INR 100–200 for video cameras. Some major temples (Sabarimala, Guruvayoor) may have specific queue ticket systems.

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour. During festival seasons, plan for 2–3 hours to witness ceremonies and processions. Major temple complexes with museum sections require 1.5–2 hours.

Safety tips

Follow temple dress codes (shoulders and knees covered). Remove footwear before entering the inner sanctum. Respect temple customs — do not touch idols or offerings. Photography may be restricted. Beware of pickpockets in crowded temple areas during festivals. Keep your belongings secure.

Things to carry

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees (required for entry), a shawl or scarf for additional coverage, an umbrella for sun/rain, small change for offerings (INR 10–50), a phone or camera (check permissions), and a notebook if visiting historically significant temples. Remove footwear before entering — carry socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple reflects the rich temple architecture and religious traditions of Kerala. Kerala’s temples are known for their unique architectural style featuring sloping tiled roofs, intricate wood carvings, and stunning mural paintings. Many temples date back centuries and are associated with local legends, royal patronage, and the evolution of the region’s distinctive cultural practices, including temple festivals, rituals, and classical performing arts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code for Kerala temples? — Men should remove shirts and wear a mundu (traditional wrap) or dhoti. Women should wear sarees or salwar kameez covering shoulders and knees. Some major temples provide rental clothing. Shorts, trousers (for inner sanctum entry in some temples), and sleeveless tops are generally not allowed. Can non-Hindus enter the temple? — Many Kerala temples allow entry to visitors of all faiths. Some of the most famous temples (like Guruvayoor and Sabarimala) have specific entry restrictions — check in advance. Most temples welcome visitors regardless of faith. Is photography allowed inside? — Photography inside the inner sanctum is generally prohibited. Photography of the temple exterior and architecture is usually permitted. Some temples charge a camera fee. What are temple timings? — Most temples open early morning (4:00 AM–5:00 AM) for the first pooja, close around 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, reopen at 5:00 PM–6:00 PM, and close after the final pooja at 8:00 PM–8:30 PM.