About Shankara
Adi Shankara was born here as the only son of Sivaguru and Aryamba, a Namboothiri couple. Shankara's shrine at Kalady run by the Sringeri Math is a large, partly open structure situated right on the northern bank of the river Periyar or Purna. Of the two major shrines within, one is dedicated to Sri Sankaracharya and the other to Goddess Saradamba, the main deity of Sringeri. The samadhi of Sri Sankara's mother Aryamba is also located here. A small shrine to Vinayaka, or Ganapati, is the scene of evening prayers, chanted to the rhythmic ringing of cymbals. The worship in these temples is done by Tamil or Kannada Smartha Brahmins and not by Nampoothiris.

West of the Sringeri Mutt temples is a temple dedicated to Sri Krishna. The worship in this temple is done by Namboothiris.

 

Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram
The Ramakrishna Advaita Ashram not far from the Sri Krishna temple, has a spacious prayer hall and a beautiful shrine modelled on the Sri Ramakrishna temple at Belur Math. The white marble statue of Sri Ramakrsihna seems to be the very epitome of tranquility. The Ashram also runs a school, charitable dispensary and library.

 

Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam
Not far from the Ramakrishna Ashram, from the top of the tall 8-storey-high brilliantly painted pink memorial, the Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam. one can have a splendid view of the surrounding palm-fringed green fields. The entrance to the memorial, guarded by two elephant statues, leads to the Paduka Mandapam which has two silver knobs representing the 'padukas' or wooden sandals of the Teacher.

As one ascends the winding steps, framed relief paintings narrate the story of Adi Sankaracharya. Several large statues of Ganapati, Adi Sankara and others are also housed in this memorial. This was built by the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Adi Sankara's shrines in Kaladi are open to all pilgrims irrespective of religion or caste.

Festivals
Sankara Jayanti is celebrated for 5 days in April/May every year. The celebtation includes several religious rites. Navarathi is celebrated for 9 days during September/October) with music concerts, chariot festival, 'rathostavam' and other exciting festivities.

Around Kalady

• Kerala Sanskrit University.
• Manickamangalam temple, one km north of Kaladi, dedicated to Bhagavathi or Goddess Durga.
• Vellamanthulli temple, 2 km west of Kaladi
• Malayattoor church on a hillock 8 km away
• Kallil Temple 22 km away are the other places of interest around Kalady.
• There is a College "Sree Sankara College" named after Sankarcharya at Kalady.
• Pandalakkudam Temple, Panayali, 2 km from Kalady.