Kanyakumari has been a maritime hub for hundreds of years and has been ruled by several ancient dynasties, including the Ays, Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Nayaks, and later the Travancore rulers. Each of these dynasties has contributed to its architectural and cultural landscape through ornate temples, rock-cut cave temples, and monasteries. These temples have been hubs of artistic expression, showcasing intricate sculptures, musical pillars, and patronising handicrafts, including temple jewellery, stone carving, wooden sculptures, and mural painting.
Some of the temples predate the 1st millennium, but were later renovated and expanded by subsequent dynasties. Also, most rulers were tolerant of other faiths, allowing them to establish shrines and monasteries. No wonder, the St Mary’s Orthodox Church, also called the Thiruvithamcode Arappally, is believed to have founded in the 1st century by St Thomas the Apostle.
Here’s a list of temples you can visit during your tour of Kanyakumari. And if you are looking for hotels with spacious rooms in Aralvaimozhi, visit Hotel Aavudai Grand.
1. Bhagavathy Amman Temple, Kanyakumari
The Bhagavathi Amman Temple on the seashore in Kanyakumari is dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari, also known as the Virgin Goddess. She is believed to be a manifestation of the Supreme Mother or the divine feminine, and an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. She is known to have emerged from a Yagna to slay the demon Banasura, who had a boon that he could be killed only by a maiden. She is also known to have performed penance on a single foot on a large rock, a few hundred metres from the mainland. The Sripada Parai still bears a footprint of the Goddess Kanyakumari – the same rock where Swami Vivekananda is believed to have attained enlightenment.
Even today, people looking to renounce worldly pleasures and become a Sanyasi visit the Bhagavathi Amman Temple to seek the goddess’s blessings. The idol is known to have been consecrated by Lord Parashuram and is the first among the 108 Shakti Sthalas he consecrated. It is also part of the 51 Shakti Peethas, marking places where parts of Goddess Sati fell – her spine is believed to have fallen in Kanyakumari, creating a strong presence of Kundalini Shakti.
Ideal for
The temple is visited by spiritual seekers thanks to the immense Kundalini Shakti observed here, and by maidens seeking the removal of obstacles in marriage.
2. Sthanumalayan Temple, Suchindrum
A few kilometres away from Kanyakumari is the picturesque village of Suchindrum, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The idol here is believed to have self-manifested and symbolises the Trinity: Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The word Sthanumalayan represents Shiva (Sthanu), Vishnu (Mal), and Brahma (Ayan). Legend has it that when the Trinity decided to test Sage Atri’s wife, Anasuya, of her dedication, they appeared as sages before her, asking for alms. They put forth a condition that she must do so naked. Upon this, Anasuya turned the three into infants and fed them. Later, when their consorts requested Anasuya to reconsider her decision, she restored the Trinity to their original form. The Gods then blessed Sage Atri and Anasuya by becoming a Lingam.
The temple is also associated with the legend of Indra’s curse. It is believed that he was cured of a curse by Rishi Gautama at Suchindrum by praying to the Trinity, hence the name Suchindrum, meaning the place where Indran was purified. Some believe that Lord Indra still visits the temple today to perform the Ardhajama Pooja.
Ideal for
Praying to the Hanuman Statue at the Suchindrum Temple is known to alleviate planetary doshas, especially during Amavasya.
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3. Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil
The deity here gives Nagercoil city its name. It is dedicated to Lord Nagaraja, the serpent king, who is worshipped along with Ananthakrishna, i.e., Lord Krishna in the form of a child, standing on a coiled snake. There are several accounts of the temple’s origins. Some stories go that a woman cutting grass suddenly shrieked when she saw blood oozing from the sickle. She had accidentally cut a five-hooded snake. Later, villagers built a hut at the site, and the current temple evolved around it.
Another story concerns a Namboodri Brahmin who discovered a snake idol and installed it at the site.
Archaeological evidence indicates the existence of a Jain temple dedicated to snakes (snake worship is prevalent in Jainism), which later became a Hindu temple as Jainism declined in the region.
Irrespective of its origins, it is now an important place of worship for people suffering from different Naga Doshas. It is believed that offering turmeric and milk to the naga deities outside the main temple alleviates doshas related to marriage and progeny.
The main Prasad in the temple is mud from the snake pit, which is collected every morning. Also, unlike other temples, the sanctum sanctorum of the Nagaraja Temple is a thatched mud-walled hut where the Serpent king is believed to have manifested. Locals believe that snakes still dwell within the walls.
Ideal for
Praying at the Nagaraja Temple helps alleviate various Naga Doshas. One can also perform the Kaala Sarpa Dosha puja at the temple.
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4. Adi Keshava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar
The Sree Adikeshava Perumal Temple was once a Rajya Temple of the erstwhile Travancore rulers until they shifted their capital to Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parashuram in the Tretha Yuga. It is in this temple that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism, discovered the Brahma Samhita.
This beautiful temple is a fusion of Dravidian and Kerala temple architectures and is known for its ancient murals and wooden artworks on the doors, pillars and ceilings. The lord here, Adikeshava Perumal, resembles the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy idol in Thiruvananthapuram but is larger, measuring 22 feet in length. Also, the latter idol is considered older and facing the west. Lord Ananthapadmanabhaswamy of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is known to lie facing east, so he can see his elder brother in Thiruvattar.
Interesting To Know
The Adi Keshava Perumal Temple is believed to be over 2500 years old and was visited by Raja Marthanda Varma before undertaking the Battle of Colachel.
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5. Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Mandaikadu
The Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman temple is dedicated to Adi Parashakti, the divine feminine, and is considered the Sabiramala for women due to the unique ritual of carrying the Irumudi and cooking Pongala during the annual Mandaikadu Pongala Festival. Locals believe that Adi Shankaracharya performed the Sri Chakra puja at the site where the temple stands. Another legend associated with the temple is the presence of an anthill that the nearby children tried to destroy. Every time they did so, the children got hurt. When news of these incidents reached the king, Marthanda Varma, he built a temple on the site of the anthill. It is believed that the height of the anthill increases by the size of a grain every year.
There are three deities in the sanctum sanctorum, including a naturally formed anthill, which is covered in sandalwood.
Women and children visit the temple seeking the mother’s blessings and an ideal life partner. The highlight of the temple is the annual 10-day Maasi Kodai festival, during which several rituals, such as the Periya Chakkara Theevethi and Valiya Padukkai, are performed. Periya Chakkar Theevetti is a unique ritual in which a ring of fire is lit before the processional idol.
Ideal For
There are several offerings in the temple. For instance, people with broken limbs and bones offer silver limbs, while those with severe headaches offer Mandaiappam, a sweet made using rice and jaggery. Maidens offer sarees and Thaalis seeking a life partner, while those seeking progeny offer mini hammocks. Some women vow to eat Mansoru or eat on the temple floor in gratitude for prayers answered by the deity.
6. Guganathaswamy Temple, Kottar
This is a 1000-year-old temple built by Raja Raja Cholan and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Archaeologists have found inscriptions that date back to the 11th century.
7. Ayya Vaikundar Temple, Swamithoppu
This temple is dedicated to Ayya Vaikundar, a 19th-century social reformer believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is the founder of the Ayyavazhi faith, which emphasises social equality and self-respect, righteousness, and charity. Ayya Vaikundar also preached on the Universal Self, claiming that everyone was part of the divine. His followers and others visit the Swamithoppu temple to seek his blessings.
8. Parthasarathy Temple, Parvathipuram
This is a little-known 9th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built by the Ay King Karunandadakkan at Parvathipuram (then called Parthivasekapuram), where he also established a Vedic school. Today, archaeologists have found several Huzur inscriptions that record donations by high-ranking officials and provide detailed descriptions of the temple’s history.
The temple is beautiful in terms of its visual appeal and history. No wonder it is classified as a protected heritage monument by ASI.
9. Thiruanthikarai Temple, Thiruanthikarai
This is a very ancient rock-cut cave temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been constructed by the Ay King Vikramaditya Varaguna. The temple is part of the larger Nandeeshwara Temple. The rock-cut temple is excavated on the slope of a hillock and can be reached by rock-cut steps.
FAQs
1. What should you remember when visiting temples in Kanyakumari?
Most temples in Kanyakumari require men to remove their upper garments as part of a long-standing tradition in South Indian temples. Also, there are strict timings most temples open at around 4:30 – 5:00 am and close at around 8:30 – 9:00 pm.
2. Can you hire guides for a temple tour?
Yes, you can hire a tour guide to help you understand the history and architecture of the temples. You can check with the temple office or check with the concierge at Aavudai Grand, one of the best hotels in Aralvaimozhi.
3. What are the things you can buy in Kanyakumari outside the temples?
You can buy seashell crafts, conches, wooden handicrafts, coir products, kaleidoscopes, handloom sarees, spices, and other products outside the Kanyakumari temple. But it is important to bargain before buying.
4. Can you arrange a tour guide for us?
Yes, but we recommend informing us in advance when booking our hotel in Aralvaimozhi.
5. Do you offer a special discount for bulk booking?
Yes, but we recommend contacting us in advance to check for bulk booking rates. We are one of the best hotel with spacious rooms in Aralvaimozhi.
6. How far is your hotel from top tourist attractions in Kanyakumari?
Our hotel in Aralvaimozhi is only a few kilometres from top attractions in Kanyakumari.
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