Kanyakumari

 India 

  The sub-continental country is known for its richness in culture and tradition. Speaking of the topography of India, the Northern side is covered by the wide range of the huge snow clad Himalayas. The west is covered by the Arabian Sea. The East is covered by the Bay of Bengal. The southern side is very unique as both these seas mingle with the Indian Ocean. The Land that is located in the tip of the country, where the three seas get united is none other thancape comerin or Kanyakumari.

DETAILS ABOUT KANYAKUMARI

 name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess – Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored.

        Lakhs of tourist, round the year are lured by the serene beauty of this place and the spectacles of sunrise and sunset. Though sunrise can be viewed throughout the year, sunset is visible only from October 15 to March 15 from this southernmost tip.  But one can view both sunrise and sunset throughout the year from atop a hill called Murugan Kundram which offers a panoramic view of Kanyakumari.  The sunset and moonrise can be seen almost simultaneously on full moon days from the same spot. It is a unique spectacle.  

        Amidst the sea there are two rocks known as ‘twin rocks’ both contributing to the rich Indian heritage with the monuments of swamy Vivekananda and Saint Thiruvalluvar.

         Kanyakumari and its surroundings are believed to be part of the land which was created by Parasurama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Folktales and mythological stories speak volumes about Kanyamymari.

Map of kanyakumari

TEMPLES IN KANYAKUMARI

 

CHIDARAAL TEMPLE

Chitharal is a popular tourist destination in Kanyakumari District, which is located at a distance of about 7 km from Marthandam, 30 km from Nagercoil, 48 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 45 km from Kanyakumari. The small village of Chitharal is famous for its Jain monuments which are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Chitharal village is famous for the Rock-Cut Temple which is situated atop a hillock. This hillock consists of a cave in which rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities can be found.

There are several carvings and rock-cut sculptures on both the inner and outer sides of the cave wall. As per archaeological studies, these carvings and sculptures can be dated back to the 9th century AD. The Rock-Cut Temple of the Jains was converted in to a Bhagavathy temple during the 13th century AD.

To reach the Rock-Cut Temple, tourists take a 10 minute walk to the top of the hill. A panoramic view of the surrounding area can also be seen from the hill top.

 GUGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE

      This temple is said to be 1000 years old. As history speaks of the temple, it is said to have been constructed by the Great Chola King Raja Raja cholan. The architectures and inscriptions purely resemble the Chola Style architecture. This temple is located near the railway station. In this temple tourists and visitors can find 16 inscriptions that are said to have been inscribed during the 11th century A.D. Tourists are allowed for visit from 6.00 A.M. to 11.15 AM. and from 5.00 pm 

KERALAPURAM TEMPLE

      There is a temple of Lord Vinayaka in this place called Keralapuram. This place is located near Thukalay. The idol of the Lord Vinayaka confuses the pilgrims. The uniqueness about it is that it changes its colour. 

It is found to be black for the first six months and then changes its colour to white for the next six months.

KUMARI AMMAN TEMPLE

This temple is located near the sea shore and it is a beautiful scene for visitors who visit this site.

 Mythology says that Goddess Devi performed prayers to get Lord Shiva’s hand for marriage.


 When she did not get in hand to marry Lord Shiva, she promised ever to be a virgin which means Kanya in Tamil. 

The idol of the goddess


 in this temple has a nose ring studded with diamond which is visible even from the sea.

 (Allikulam). The holy tree of this temple is Kadamela. 
According to legends Virutham, moon god, Sun god and Agarthiya worshipped the supreme God - Lord Shiva, in this temple.

      Nagarcoil is the capital city of the Kanyakumari district. There is a Nagaraja temple, located here, which is very famous. The pillars in this temple are inscribed with the figures of the Jain Theerthangaras, Mahavira and Parsavanathar. The entrance to this temple is exactly the replica of the Chinese architecture of a Buddhist Vihar.

SUCHINDRAM THANUMALAYAN TEMPLE

      Suchindram is a pilgrim town in the Kanyakumari district. There is a Thanumalayan temple in the place. This temple is a treasure of arts. 

The artistic skills of the architects, sculptors and craftsmen are found through their creation of the musical pillars and also the gorgeous 18 feet statue of Hanuman, The deputy of King Rama. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Trinity Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

 The Hanuman Statue and Vinayaki (The female carving of Vinaya) are found exuberantly.

THIRUVATTAR TEMPLE

      Thiruvattar a town of the Kanyakumari district is 70 km away from the city headquarters.

 The finest specimens of temple art, architecture and crafts are found here.


 The wall paintings are worth enjoying for the tourists.

VALLIMALAI TEMPLE

     This temple in Vallimalai is constructed on a rock cut hill which is 300 steps atop from the plains.

 The temple as a whole is located inside a cave. The cave temple is found to be built in 3 successive levels. 
The elevation increases level after level. The shrines of Vinayakar and Kasi Viswanathar are found in this temple.


 The construction in this temple is attributed to the Pallava and Nayak rulers.

ERAYOOR IRUL NEEKEESWARAR TEMPLE

      Erayoor is a place located at Sriperumputhur. There is a Siva temple in this place. The idol in this temple is named as Irul Neekeeswarar which denotes that, God who removes the darkness of life. 

The temple consists of five holy tanks. The five tanks are namely Siva Theertham (Mahadev Tank), Bramma Theertham (Pookulam), Vishnu Theertham (Neerkulam), Rudra Theertham (Theeradikulam) and Maheeswara Theertham (Allikulam). The holy tree of this temple is Kadamela. According to legends Virutham, moon god, Sun god and Agarthiya worshipped the supreme God - Lord Shiva, in this temple.