CHIRAYiNKEEZHU

Chirayinkeezhu also known as Chirayinkil is a small town in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. Places of tourist interest in the vicinity include the Sarkara Devi Temple and Varkala Beach. The 10-day Sarkara Bharani festival in March–April is a major event attended by devotees from all over the district. Regular buses connect Chirayinkeezhu with Varkala, Kadakkavoor, Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest Airport is Trivandrum International Airport and Chirayinkeezhu Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station.

Sarkara Devi Temple is one of the foremost Devi temples in South India. It is located at Sarkara, south of Chirayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram District. Sarkara Devi, one of the forms of Goddess Bhadrakali, is the main deity worshipped. Lord Ganesh and Nagaraja are the sub-deities. The temple rose to prominence with the introduction of the famous Kaliyoottu festival. Sarkara Bharani, the birthday of the Bhagavathy, is the other major festival celebrated. These two festivals reveal a glimpse of the rich cultural past of Travancore. The temple is about 33 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and near the Chirayinkil Railway Station.