Kalady was a small village on the banks of Periyar River in Kerala. Kalady was the birth place of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who consolidated Advaita Vedanta. Kalady in Malayalam means ‘footprint’. As a boy Adi Shankara prayed the river (Periyar also known as Poorna) changed the course to the direction indicated by his little feet. Henceforth, the Sasalam village became famous as Kalady.

Sharadamba temple and Dakshinamurthy temple are among the many religious places and Mutts here. Adi Shankara Kirti Stambha built here is 45m tall. Manickamangalam temple, dedicated to Bhagavati, or the goddess Durga.  Adi Shankaracharya’s father Sivaguru was the priest in this temple.