Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple

Onam, the festival the whole state keeps, begins as a story, and this is the place where the story is set. Kerala's only major temple to Vamana, the dwarf avatar of Vishnu, marks the legendary spot where he met King Mahabali. During Onam in August and September the temple becomes the ceremonial heart of the celebration, with ten days of rituals and performances that draw people from across Kerala. The rest of the year it is calm, about 10 km northeast of Ernakulam. Modest traditional dress is customary, and shoes are left outside.

Ground zero of Onam: the temple where Vamana is said to have met Mahabali