Plan Your Visit
Everything you need to know to reach the cliffside temple.
Bus Routes
| From | Bus Route | Get Down At |
|---|---|---|
| Trivandrum (East Fort) | Any bus to Poovar or Vizhinjam | Azhimala Temple Junction |
| Trivandrum Central (Thampanoor) | KSRTC to Poovar | Azhimala Temple Junction |
| Kovalam | Auto/Taxi (15 mins) | Directly at Temple Gate |
Getting from the Junction to the Temple
Once you get down at the Azhimala Junction on the main highway, the temple is down a steep 1km road towards the sea. You can walk it, but an auto-rickshaw from the junction will charge around ₹40-₹50 and drop you right at the entrance.
By Train
Most Convenient: Trivandrum Central (TVC) (~21 km)
Best for out-of-state tourists. All major trains halt here, and direct KSRTC buses to Azhimala are available from the Thampanoor stand right outside.
Geographically Closest: Neyyattinkara (NYY) & Balaramapuram (~12-15 km)
Best if you are taking a local passenger train. You will need to hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi from these stations to reach the temple.
By Air
Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), about 21 km away.
By Road (Car & Bike)
Driving Down
From Trivandrum, take the Kovalam-Poovar highway. Turn towards the sea at the Azhimala Temple Junction. Crucial Warning: The final 1km road down to the temple is extremely steep and narrow. If you are riding a bike or driving a car (especially manual or iMT), be prepared for tight incline starts when facing oncoming traffic.
Parking Availability
There is limited paid parking near the temple gate, but it fills up very quickly, especially on weekends and festival days. Pro Tip: If you visit on a crowded Sunday or during Shivaratri, do not drive down. Park your vehicle securely near the main highway junction and take a ₹40-₹50 auto-rickshaw down to the entrance.
Tourist Buses & Tempos
Strict Warning: Large vehicles (Tourist Buses, 17+ seater Tempo Travellers) should NEVER attempt to drive down the temple road. The road is too steep, narrow, and has no turning radius at the bottom. Solution: Park at the main highway (Azhimala Junction) and have your group walk down (15 mins) or hire local auto-rickshaws.