Pilgrimage Tourism in Kochi includes visiting temples, mosques, shrines, churches and synagogues. The pilgrimage tourism in Kochi will remain incomplete if the pilgrimage tours in Kochi are not enjoyed. Since antiquity Kochi has been famed as the place of amalgamated cultures. Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and others have created their excellence in this city that is still exhibited in the city.

The pilgrim places in Kochi include the Hindu temples, shrines, mosques, Jewish synagogues, churches and cathedrals that are the reputed examples of different cultures and religions in the city.

Shiva Temple of Kochi
One of the famous pilgrim destinations in Kochi is the Siva Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ernakulathappan is the presiding deity here, who is one of the various forms of the Lord. An eight day annual festival is famous here. The Valanjambalam Devi Temple of the city celebrates a two day annual festival which is known as `Thalapoli Utsavam`. It is marked by caparisoned elephant and is among the oft visited temples of Kochi. Another famous temple of Kochi is Sri Poornathraessa Temple where the presiding deity is Lord Krishna. Three festivals are celebrated here in a majestic manner. `Athachamayam`, which is a grand procession on Atham, marks the beginning of the long Onam festival.

Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple
Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple is also popular amongst the pilgrims. This temple is situated at Thirupunithura. The famous `Shivaratri` festival is celebrated here for 7 days. At Nettur in Kochi there is a temple called Mahadeva Temple which is dedicated to the Lord `Sankara Narayana`. This deity is an interesting combination of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is situated 10 km from Ernakulam. People from various countries come here to enjoy the festivals in the temples in Kochi. A seven day festival is famous in Baghavathy Temple of Thirupunithura. In the temple of Sri Rajeswari, located at Chottanikara, goddess Saraswati is worshipped in the morning and goddess Badrakali is worshipped at noon and Goddess Durga in the evening. A dip in the famous temple tank here is believed to drive away the evil spirits tormenting the possessed individuals. On the banks of the beautiful river Muvattupuzha near Piravom the Perumthrikoil Temple is situated. The idol in this temple is made of river sand. The one winged Garuda, the mythical eagle, has been carved in wood.

Bhagavathy Temple
In addition to these temples there are other temples like Bhagavathy Temple at Cheranallur, 12 km from Ernakulam. Besides this temple is considered as one of the major pilgrim places of Kochi but is also a place of public gatherings during the festivals. Two annual festivals are celebrated in this temple annually. One of these festivals lasts for 9 days and the other for a day. Another temple which is named as Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and is situated 25 km from Ernakulam. The eight day annual festival of this temple ends with `Arattu` celebrations. Another ancient lord Shiva temple is located between Thrikkariyoor and Kothamangalam. Kurathiyattam, Chakyarkoothu, Pathakam, etc, are parts of a grand 10 day annual festival here. Vaikom is the place in Kochi where another Mahadeva Temple is located. It is one of the most famous Siva temples. `Annadhana` (feeding) is conducted here during `Vaikom Ashtami` festival, which is celebrated for 13 days. Siva Temple of Kochi is situated at Alwaye and it has a unique feature. The Holy Shiva Linga is installed on sand banks and is not enshrined in any pagoda. Apart from these temples, there are temples like Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathy Temple, Thonnyakavu Bhagavathy Temple, Poornathrayeesa Temple and Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple where various religious functions and rituals are performed throughout the year.

Colonial Churches in Kochi
The pilgrimage tourism in Kochi includes visit to the churches that are the establishments of the Portuguese, Dutch and people belonging from other culture and traditions. These establishments include St. Mary`s Church which is situated in a small beautiful island near Kochi. The Portuguese is said to build the venue of this church in 1676. A week long annual feast called `Vallarpadath Amma` is conducted here. Famous for the priest `Kadamattath Kathanar`, the Kadamattam Church is situated 35 km from Ernakulam. There are two feasts conducted here annually. Kochi also has shrines like St. Thomas Shrine, situated at Malayattur. It is located at an altitude of 20,000 ft. It is believed to be one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas. Santa Cruz Cathedral is said to be one of the oldest churches of India. This is one of the cultural and traditional edifices of Kochi and this brings the tourists to pay a visit at the time of visiting Kochi. Built in the year 1503, St Francis Xavier`s Church at Fort Kochi, stands exemplary of the past traditional buildings. St George Ferona Church in Edappally stands an evidence of the ancient architectural superiority. Moreover the churches like St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and St. George`s Cathedral are also named as the famous places of Kochi.

Jewish Synagogue
The pilgrimage tourism in Kochi also encompasses Jewish Synagogue. It is considered the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. This is visited by a huge number of tourists who come to visit Kochi. It is said the Malabar Yehudan People, or Cochin Jewish community constructed this synagogue in 1568. The Kanjiramattam Mosque located 25 km from Ernakulam and is believed to have been constructed over the mortal remains of Sheik Fariduddin. Here the annual festival `Kodikuthu` is celebrated on the 14th January every year. The pilgrimage tours in Kochi is enriched by the various European powers like the Portuguese and the Dutch who brought with them various tenets of Christianity and Judaism, tenets which soon found popularity amongst the people of Kochi. In recent times, the buildings created long time ago still stand exemplary of the rich cultural heritage of the city.