Bharananganam

Bharananganam is an important Christian as well as Hindu pilgrimage centre, located 5 kms east of Palai on the Kottayam - Erattupetta Road. This pilgrim centre is associated with Sister Alphonsa, the blessed saint of the Catholics. The mortal remains of the saint are preserved in a chapel next to the St Mary's Church. She lived from 1916 AD to 1946 AD.

Bharananganam is also known as Dakshina Guruvayoor that is the Guruvayoor of South because of the presence of Sree Krishna Swami Temple. The place name Bharananganam is closely associated with this temple. Epic says that Pandavas during their exile stayed here for some days. On those days Yudhishtira performed Vishnu Pooja here. Later he decided to perform Dwadasi Pooja and for this the idol of Lord Vishnu was installed in a suitable place by Vashista Muni and Narada. The sages performed abhishekam with Gauna river water. The Pandavas stayed there for some more days and later left to another place. While leaving the place they appointed a local Brahmin to conduct daily poojas and as there were not enough water in the river to conduct daily poojas, Bhima dug a well near to the Lord's idol using his Gadha. Since the first abhishekam was conducted using Gauna river water, even today the first abhishekam in the early morning is conducted with river water and later with well water. The east facing Sree Krishna Swami temple is located 1.3 Km away from Bharanaganam junction.