Famous
Temples Around Kanyakumari: -
Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil
19-km from Kannyakumari is Nagercoil, which contains
the celebrated Nagaraja temple. The sanctum is a simple
thatched shed, with mud walls. It enshrines the King
of Serpents. Tradition states that a King of Kalakkad
was cured of leprosy when he performed penance in the
temple. He then rebuilt it in the Kerala style. He might
have been Bhuthalavira Sri Vira Udaya Marthandavarma,
who ruled Venad, with Kalakkad as his capital, from
1516 to 1535. It is believed that snakebite is not fatal
within a kilometre of the temple. The fane has some
Jain sculptures.
Tirunelveli
The temple of Swami Nelliappar and Sri Kanthimathi Ambal
in Tirunelveli (83-km from Kanyakumari) dates back at
least to the seventh century. Sambandar has sung it,
and Ninrasir Neumaran, the Pandya, is said to have commissioned
the making of musical pillars in a Mandapa in this temple.
Originally, there were two temples side by side, dedicated
to Lord Nelliappar and Goddess Kanthimathi. They were
linked by a Mandapa, the "chain" Mandapa,
built in 1647. The oldest inscription belongs to the
middle of the tenth century.
Sankaranainarkoil
Sankaranainarkoil has three shrines dedicated to Lord
Sankaralinga, to Goddess Gomathi Amman and, between
these two, to Lord Sankaranarayana, a combination of
Shiva and Vishnu. The temple was built in the eleventh
century and was expanded later. The Gopura is of nine
storeys and is 38m high. The temple is famous for the
miracles the Goddess performs in curing illness.
Subramanya Temple in Tiruchendur
The temple of Lord Subramanya in Tiruchendur, also in
the same district, is one of the "Arupadai Veedus",
or specially sanctified residences, of the Lord. It
is situated by the sea. Traditionally, it commemorates
the Lord's victory over Surapadma, a demon. The Gopura,
of nine storeys, is 42m high and was constructed in
the 17th century. It was renovated in 1983.
Alvar
Tirunagari
One of the celebrated Vaishnavaite temples in the district
of Kannyakumari is in Alvar Tirunagari, one of the nine
sung of by Namalvar. The saint attained enlightenment
under a tree, which still stands in the temple. The
Lord is Adinatha. The temple has a Nadaswaram musical
instrument made of stone. It is played during the temple
festival.
Kumarakovil
Kumarakovil is at the foot of the Velimalai hills in
Kalkulam Taluk (also spelt as Taluka), about 34-km from
Kannyakumari. The Lord Muruga Temple is built on the
hillock about 200 feet height in a lush green field
of Paddy, Plantain and Coconut trees. The temple is
noted for architectural beauty. Goddess Valli, the spouse
of Lord Subramanya is also enshrined in the temple by
the side of the Lord. In the right side of the temple
there is one big lake, suitable for boating.
Other Attractions Around
Kanyakumari: -
Muttam
About 32-km from Kannyakumari is Muttam with a fine
beach and a lighthouse.
Vattakottai
About 6-km from Kannyakumari is Vattakottai with an
18th century fort overlooking the sea. The sea here
is calm and suitable for bathing.
Thengapattinam
Beach
Thengapattinam, situated on the west coast, is a place
of historical importance. It is 35-km from Nagercoil
and 54-km from Kannyakumari. As coconut trees are abundant
in this place, the place might have derived this name.
This village had, in ancient
times, trade relations with foreign countries like Arabia.
There was direct Cargo boat service between Thengapattinam
and other foreign maritime towns.
The mosque at Thengapattinam
is about 1,200 years old. This place is well connected
with Nagercoil and Thiruvananthapuram by regular bus
service. Thengapattinam Beach is an excellent picnic
spot with backwater facilities.
Chidaral
55-km from Kanyakumari is Chidaral. The Jain sculptures
here are worth a visit.
Pechipparai
Dam
Like all other dam sites Pechipparai Dam too is a popular
picnic spot where facilities for boating have also been
provided. It is 56-km from Kanyakumari.
Padamanabhapuram
The capital of Travancore until 1333, Padmanabhapuram
is known for its fort, which encloses, among other buildings,
a palace and a temple. The palace has some important
art relics while the Ramaswami temple has exquisitely
carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Padmanabhapuram
is 45km from Kanyakumari.
Thirparappu
Water Falls
About 60km from Kanyakumari are Thirparappu Waterfalls,
a picturesque spot with an ancient Mahadevar Temple.
Thiruvattar
Thiruvattar is located at a distance of 70-km from Kanyakumari.
The temple here is one of the finest specimens of temple
art and architecture. The paintings on the walls of
the temple are worth seeing.
Kalakkadu
and Mundanthurai
Kalakadu wildlife sanctuary is situated in an area of
223-sq-km in the Tirunelveli district, including the
foothills of the Western Ghats and the adjoining area.
47km from Tirunelveli, the Kalakadu wildlife sanctuary
is very popular with botanists and ornithologists as
it has a great variety of fauna and bird life.
Situated 42-km from Tirunelveli,
the Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuary boasts of dry deciduous
to tropical wet evergreen forest patches of pure reeds.
The sanctuary covers an area of 567-sq-kms. There is
nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from that of
Kalakadu, except the absence of Elephant and the Gaur.
Mathoor
Thottippalam
It is one of the largest and the highest bridge located
near Thiruvattar about 70-km from Kanyakumari. The bridge
and the lush green surroundings are noted for scenic
beauty.
Olakkay Aruvi
Water falls
Olakkay Aruvi waterfalls in the Western Ghats are 14-km
from Nagercoil and 33-km from Kanyakumari. The beautiful
waterfalls and the natural scenery all around the place
attract many holiday seekers and this place has become
an important picnic centre. |
