Vellayani Devi Temple

The Vellayani Devi Temple, dedicated to Bhadrakali, stands on the east bank of Vellayani Lake, 1.5 kilometres west of Vellayani junction and 12 kilometres south-east of Thiruvananthapuram. It has a bronze roof with traditional decoration, and carved gopurams on the east and north act as gateways through the surrounding walls. The idol, called the Thirumudi, measures four and a half feet in both height and width, among the largest in Kerala's Kali temples, and is adorned with gold and precious stones. Antlers are worshipped here too.

Legend says a blacksmith named Kelan Kulasekhara found a frog bearing the goddess's spirit by the lake and, with the help of local Nair chieftains, consecrated the idol; the priest is still chosen from the blacksmith community rather than the Brahmins. Once in three years, generally in the February–April period, the temple holds the Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam, 65 to 70 days long and described as South India's longest continuous temple festival, which acts out Kali's battle with the demon Darika.