Category Archives: Temple

Chitharal Malaikovil – Chitharal Cave Temple, Kanyakumari

About Chitharal Cave Temple

The Chitharal Malai Kovil Temple is locally known as the Chitharal Jain Monuments. Chitharal Malaikovil literally means the “Temple on the Hill”. These monuments are situated on the hills of Thiruchanattu in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

chitharal-malaikovil-cave-jain-temple-kanyakumariThe Chitharal Jain Monuments are located in Chitharal Village of Kanyakumari. This village is famed for harbouring Jain monks and is popularly known as ‘Thirucharanthupalli’ which means ‘abode of Jain monks’.

To reach the monuments you have to go through some rough steps in rocks and through a narrow entrance.

At the top of Chitharal hill, is a cave temple. The temple has a porch-pillared hall (mandapa), a corridor and a place for offering animal sacrifices to the deity (Bali peetham). The temple has about three sanctums. These sanctums accommodate the saviour and spiritual teacher of the spiritual path (Dharma) who in Jainism is called Tirthankara, the goddess and Parshwanatha.

History of Chitharal Jain Temple

There is a pair of monuments with Jain inscriptions from the first century. These temples of Jain deities and sculptures are believed to have been built in the 9th century AD.

Records state that the Digambara Jains as the likely builders of the temple monuments during the ninth century. It is during this period that the region was under the influence of Jainism.

These sculptures are historically known as Thirucharanathupalli.

Bhagavati is the ruler who converted the cave into a Hindu Temple in the thirteenth century. This is recorded in a Tamil script inscription which is found on the entrance of the hall and dates to 1300 AD.

On the southern side of the temple is an inscription that says a Jain priestess called Muttavala Naranakuttiyar summoned Gunandagi and presented gifts during the 28th year of the reign of Vikramaditya.

In the past, it was a Jain training centre for all.

Specialty of Chitharal Malaikovil

Stone Inscriptions

There 9 stone inscriptions in this temple make this temple one of the must visit places in India.

One of the stone inscriptions says that there was a school built by the Jain people at this place during the 1st century. Records have it that Queen Kuratimarayar had donated wealth to the university. This inscription is found in Tamil Brahmi scriptures

Chitharal Cave Temple Opening and Closing Time

Are you interested in visiting this temple? Well, the temple is opened every day for everyone to pay a visit. The visiting hours are between 0500hrs all the way to 2100hrs when it’s so dark to be around.

Pooja at the temple happens during the following times:

Morning Pooja

Subrapadam – Thirupalli Eluchi takes place at 0510hrs

At 0530hrs Viswaroopam Darshan

From 0545hrs to 0615hrs Dwajasthamba Namaskaram and Udaya Marthanda Abishegam

At 7:00 am to 8:30 am Udaya Marthanda Deeparadhanai and Kalasandhi Pooja

From 10:00 am to 10:30 am Kalasa Pooja and Uchikala Abishegam

At 12 pm Uchikala Deeparadhanai

Evening Pooja

At 5:00 pm Sayaratchai Pooja is observed

As from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm Arthasama Pooja and Arthasama Abishegam pujas are performed.

From 8:30 pm to 8:45 pm Ekanda Seva and Palliarai Pooja is observed.

The Nadai Thirukappiduthal pooja is the last one of the day

Padmanabhapuram Saraswathi Temple, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari

This temple is located about 55 km away from Thiruvananthapuram on the Nagercoil-Kanyakumari highway. The Padmanabhapuram temple lies on an area of around 7 acres.

padmanabhapuram-temple-nagercoil-kanyakumariHistory of Padmanabhapuram Saraswathi Temple

Long, long ago, Padmanabhapuram was once the capital of the rulers of the old princely state of Travancore or Venad State from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

The name refers to the image of the lotus coming from the navel of Vishnu. The palace complex was constructed around 1601 A.D by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal. Maharaja Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma dedicated this palace to Lord Padmanabha and named the palace Sri Padmanabha Perumal Palace.

From then on the fort and the surroundings earlier known as Kalkulam came to be known as Padmanabhapuram. Later, the kings, Dharma Raja, to be specific shifted their base to Thiruvananthapuram. Then they began the tradition of bringing deities to the king palace during Navrathri.

Specialty of Padmanabhapuram Temple

This a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi,

The temple is adorned with beautiful relics, exquisite wall paintings, intricate rose carvings and sculptured decor. The floors are finished with a high polish which has a special mixture: crushed shells, coconuts, egg-white and juices from local plants.

The Queen Mother’s palace has intricate ceiling paintings. The Durbar Hall has a black floor that is very shiny. It is made of a combo of egg white, jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, and river sand. This is a rare Kerala architectural masterpiece.

The temple also has secret underground passages. There is also the famous medicinal bed of 64 ayurvedic healing kinds of wood in the King’s bedroom.

The carvings and sculptures all add to the unique mysticism of this sprawling temple

Festivals of Padmanabhapuram Temple

The Navaratri festival is celebrated at Padmanabhapuram during the first 10 days of the month of Kanni. Navaratri is the 10 day festival in the month of October to celebrate Devi or mother goddess. She is worshipped as Saraswathi, the deity of all learning and arts, Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and Durga, embodiment of courage and power

The festival commences with a procession of idols of goddess Saraswathi taken out from Padmanabhapuram Thevarakattu Saraswathi Amman Temple. The idol of Saraswathi is normally carried to the Padakasala gate of the palace. Here offerings are made by devotees as well as members of the then royal family.

The Saraswati Puja is another important festival and is normally observed on the last day of the Navratri celebrations and is celebrated on the same day as ‘Ayudh Puja’. The 10th day or ‘Dussera’ is also included in the celebrations of Saraswati Puja.

In the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the 9th day (last day of Navratri) whereas in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh it is observed on the 10th day (Dussehra). The puja begins with ‘Saraswati Avahan’, followed by ‘Saraswati Puja’, on 3rd day ‘Saraswati Balidan’ is done and the ceremonies end with ‘Saraswati Visarjan’. It falls in the months of January-February.

Padmanabhapuram Temple Timings

One is allowed to visit the palace between 0900hrs and 1700hrs. However, you are not allowed to visit the temple during Mondays and Public holidays.

Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kanyakumari

About The Temple

This temple is situated near Nagercoil in Mandaikadu. It was built in the simple Kerala traditional style. This temple is devoted to the worship of Hindu goddess Parvati locally known as Bhagavathi.  The holy trees of this temple are the Bo Tree and Neem tree. Pujas are performed here four times daily.

There is an anthill that is worshipped by devotees as Bhagavathi Amman. The anthill has five heads. There is a belief among the locals that the anthill is still growing. Currently, the anthill has the height of 12 feet.

Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple KanyakumariHistory of Mandaikadu Amman Temple

One folk story has it that His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya was performing Srichakra Puja with his disciples here. After the puja, he did not leave but stayed there and attained Samadhi. An anthill began growing at this spot where the Srichakra existed. This anthill on many occasions has hurt and injured children who were playing games and activities. As a result, Marthanda Varma, the king of Kerala decided to build a temple here and perform pujas regularly.

Another legend has it that Velu Thampi, a minister of Travancore, conquered a local villager at Colachel and took over the temple. Today it is a famous temple blessing the devotees.

Specialty of The Temple

This temple is famous among its devotees for fulfilling the wishes and prayer requests of the devotees.

Devotees offer silk and Mangalsutra to the goddess in the sanctum. Those that are handicapped offer gifts made of silver believing that they will be cured.

Those devotees that want to be blessed with children offer cradles in the temple. To free themselves from the effects of evil looks devotees’ firecrackers.

In this temple, there is a custom known as mansoru eating which involves devotees placing food on the floor and then eating it.

Mandaikadu Amman Festivals

This temple has special days. These are Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays and the full moon day (Poornima).

  • Masi Festival

During the Tamil month, Masi is celebrated as Mandaikadu Kodai Festival. This is normally between the months of February and March. The festival starts ten days prior to the last Tuesday of the Tamil month. The devotees carry the goddess in processions through the streets.

The Mandaikadu Kodai festival is a popular celebration among the locals in this place. The local people flock here, especially women to take part in this festival.

  • Odukku Pooja

This is the last pooja of Mandaikadu Kodai Festival and is celebrated on the tenth day at 1 a.m

  • Bharani Kodai

During the Tamil month of Panguni star, people around Mandaikadu area commemorate the birth of goddess Mandaikadu Amman.

Mandaikadu Amman Temple Timings

Since there are plenty of festivals and rituals going on through the year, visiting the temple anytime of the year is a real joy. Mandaikadu Amman Temple is opened for visitors every day from 0500hrs to 1230hrs in the morning and from 1800hrs to 2030hrs in the evening.

Pujas performed on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday are believed to be special, and it is important to respect the time of the pujas.

Keleswaram Mahadeva Temple in Kerala

About The Temple

This temple is situated in Keleswaram, a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala. It is located between Peringammala and Punnamoodu.

Keleswaram Mahadeva Temple in KeralaThe temple is devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. However, there are other sub deities (upadevathas) adjacent to the temple; Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Durga, and Nagaraja

The temple is located on top of a small hill and there is a climb of steps to reach the shrine.

The shrine is the normally the starting point of the holy Sivalaya ottam. This is normally a run through the twelve Shiva temples.

History of the Temple

It is believed that the temple was established during the 10th century. The stone carvings available in the temple date back to the eleventh century, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I.

According to records, the temple was renovated in the year 1470 A.D. This simply means that this temple of antiquity must be older than 1470 A.D.

Legend has it that the temple stands through all the four Yugas. In Kirudayugam it was known as Sreesylam, in Thirethayugam Swamy Sylam, in Dhwaparayuga Bavyasylam and in Kaliyuga Sivasylam. The temple is believed to be mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabaratha.

It is believed that the king Kara Maharaja placed a Shiva Linga and was worshipping the Lord.  One day a bull came to the temple to graze. Upon sunset, the bull could not find its way back home so it entered the temple. Devotees believe that upon entering the temple, it sat on the sanctum and was not able to move from there. They believe that this bull is the Nandhi found in the temple.

Specialty of the Temple

This temple is known to be miracle based.

Lord Mahadeva is represented in Linga form on a square tablet. Devotees come here in large number to offer a prayer for health reasons, salvation and peace of mind.

Devotees tie bells around Nandhi in case their cattle get infected with a disease. They believe that this practice heals the disease.

They also offer farm produces as nivedhana. This prayer helps increase their farm yields.

Festivals of the Temple

Sivarathri, Sivalaya Ottam

This festival takes place between February and March.

During this festival, the devotees get dignified by Lord Mahadeva from the sanctum.

Above the Lord Linga form is a bowl (Dara Patra) that is normally filled with milk or ghee. The milk or ghee drops on the Lord. What is the significance of this kind of worship? Well, the locals believe that the worship relieves them from the problems affecting their mind.

Devotees also perform a ritual called abhishek, which involves giving the Lord a few hundred Kalasas. The significance of this ritual is to prevent any obstacles the devotees may encounter during wedding proposals and also bless the devotee that they may be able to sire or give birth.

Keleswaram Mahadeva Temple Timings

Darshan

The temple is part of the famed Sivalaya ottam conducted during Shivratri. It is from this temple where the run to the twelve Shiva temples starts.

Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing since foreign clothes are not permitted in the temple.

The Darshan timings are from 0520hrs to 1000hrs in the morning and from 1700hrs to 2000hrs in the evening.

Vettuvenni Sastha Temple in Nagercoil

Vettuvenni Kandan Sasthan Temple, Nagercoil:

About the Temple

This is a temple devoted to Lord Ayyappa in Marthandam. Vedivechan Kovil – Vettuvenni Sastha Temple is located 2 km from Kuzhithurai Bus Stop. It is just by the side of the national highway that connects Trivandrum with Nagercoil.

Vettuvenni Sastha Temple Marthandam Nagercoil

This temple attracts many pilgrims from all over the world. It is commonly known as either Vettuvenni temple or Vedi Sathan Kovil. The name Vedi Sathan Kovil is due to the firecrackers that are burnt in the temple as a mark of prayer for Lord Ayyappa.

History of the Temple

Vettuvenni Sastha temple was originally known as Irumpudayaan Kandan Sasthan kovil. The temple complex was built in 1981 by the first Amman. The history of the temple is based on the period of the Ramayana.

The primary god of the temple is Sree Dharma Sastha. Other sub deities are Prabha and Sathyaka.

It is believed that Sri Rama came along with his wife, brother and his whole tribe of monkeys after defeating Ravana in a battle. He then visited Sasthamcotta to perform a ritual of honour to Sri Dharma Sastha. Sri Rama offered rites to ancestors.

Devotees believe that Neelan is the predecessor of the existing tribe of monkeys found around the temple.

Another legend has it that, a prince from Pandalam and a princess from a royal family united in wedlock and camped here. The prince used to pray at the Sabarimala shrine. With time he found it hard to visit the shrine routinely. This made Lord Ayyappa angry at the prince, and the prince had to ask for forgiveness for the mistake.

So the prince went to Sabarimala and worshipped there for twelve days. On the last night of the twelve days worship, the Lord appeared. The prince was asked him to go to Sasthamcotta and worship Sri Dharma Sastha. Lord Ayyappa knew that the holy presence of Sabarimala also occurred there. This meant the prince would no longer need to go to Sabarimala for worship.

The king of Kayamkulam then refurbished and redecorated the temple.

Specialty of the Temple

The interesting attribute of this temple is the number of monkeys that hang around. Locals believe that the temple monkeys are the divine advisers of Sree Dharma Sastha.

The temple is popularly known as the tribe of monkeys that reside there. This is one temple that has a large population of monkeys.

Festivals

The temple remains open only for 127 days a year.

The important festivals of Vettuvenni kandan sasthan Temple fall in May, (Pankiniutthiram) are celebrated for 3 days with gaiety.

The dawn of the Vrichikam month occupies a special place in the pilgrimage calendar. On this day pilgrims walk to reach the shrine of Lord Ayyappa reverberating chants ‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’, meaning ‘Lord Ayyappa – the only refuge’.

The Malayalam month of Vrichikam (November) ushers another period to visit the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappan or Dharma Sastha. Devotees agree that a pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a symbiotic combination of mind power, determination, physical stamina, and faith to reach the sanctum sanctorum!

Vedivechan Kovil – Vettuvenni Sastha Temple Timing

The temple is open every day including Saturdays and Sundays. The temple is opened from 0500 to 2000 hrs. The temple is also open during public holidays.

Kumari Amman Temple in Kanyakumari

About the Temple

The Kanyakumari Kumari Amman Devi is considered as a Shakti peetha. The temple is among one the 108 Shakthi peethas in the world. The temple was founded by Lord Parasurama and is the first Durga Temple. The temple’s Kalabhairava is known as Nimish and the Shakti is called Sarvani. The Kanyakumari Kumari Amman Devi temple is located in Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari formerly known as Cape Comorin is at the southernmost end of the Indian peninsula. Thiruvananthapuram, Nagercoil and the capital of Kanyakumari district are the nearest major cities. The name, Kanyakumari was gotten from the Kanyakumari Temple located at the shore on the convergence of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Bengal Bay.

Kanyakumari Kumari Amman Temple

The name Kanyakumari represents Kanya meaning virgin and Kumari meaning girl. The virgin goddess, Devi Kanya Kumari is an aspect of Parvarthy. Devi Kanya Kumari is also known as Kumari Amman, Kanya Devi and Devi Kumari. The Kanyakumari Amman Devi Temple has been discussed in the Sangam age work Manimekalai and Puranaanooru and the ancient scriptures Mahabharata, Ramayana.

The History of Kumari Amman Temple

The Kumari Amman temple is over 3000 years old. It is one of the godly homes of goddess Shakti. It is said that the corpse of goddess Shakti was dispersed into 51 parts throughout the subcontinents of India. The site of the fall for each of the parts is now a holy place of worship for Shakti followers and worshippers. The back of the goddess is said to have fallen in Kanyakumari. So a temple was built on the site of worship.

The worship of Kanya Kumari has been dated to the Vedic times. As Devi is the goddess of Sanyasa, Swami Vivekananda came to appeal for Devi’s blessing in December 1892 as guided by his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swami Mirmalananda and Swami Brahmananda were also worshippers of Devi Kanyakumari and disciplines of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. A few girls were brought from different parts of Kerala to worship Bahagavathy by Swami Nirmalananda in the year 1935. In 1948, seven of the girls later went on to become the members of the first batch of Nuns of a Hindu nunnery known as Sarada Ashrama.

Festivals of the Kumari Amman Temple

  • The Vaisakha festival: This is a festival of 10 days which is usually celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. This festival takes place between the months of May and June. The pictures of Devi are displayed around town in the morning and evening. The Thoni Ezhunellathu occurs on the 9th day in which the deity will be encircled in a boat on the western side of the water.
  • The Chitra Pournima festival: This festival celebration takes place in May on the day of a full moon.
  • The Kalabham festival: This festival takes place in the Tamil month of Aadi (between the months of July and August). On the last Friday of the Tamil month, the deity is veiled with sandal paste.
  • The Navarathri festival: This festival lasts for 9 days and is usually celebrated in the months of September and October. Various music artists present their skills to the Devi deity at the Navarathri Mandapam. An image of Devi is worshipped for the whole period of Navaranthri. And on the Vijaya Dasami which is the 10th day of the festival, the annihilation of Banasura is commemorated. A picture of the deity is placed on a silver horse and is taken to Mahadhanapuram (the place where Banasura was killed).

The Temple’s Visitation Time

The temple is always open in the mornings from 6:00 am to 11:00 am and in the evenings from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Kumari Amman Temple Dress Code

Below general statement as per high court order [Men should wear a “dhoti or pyjama with upper cloth or formal pants and shirts” to temples and women should wear “a sari or a half sari or churidhar with upper cloth.” Children could wear “any fully covered dress.”]

Requesting all the tourist to abide the dress code rules to avoid disappointment.

Kumari Amman Temple Phone Number

You can contact the temple using this number 04652 246 223

Kumari Amman Temple Address

Temple Road, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702

Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil

About Nagaraja Temple

The Nagaraja Temple is located in the town of Nagercoil on mountain Mahendragiri in Kanyakumari District in the state of Tamil Nadu. Nagercoil which is the name of the town was coined from the name of the temple, Nagaraja. Nagaraja (king of serpents – Vasuki) and Ananda Krishna are the temple’s main deities but there are other deities being worshipped in the temple. The temple has a huge pond.

Nagaraja Temple NagercoilDevotees pray in the temple and seek solace from the unfavorable aspects of serpent planets. They offer turmeric powder, offer milk and sanctify Naga idols in the temple as a part of their prayers. Subrahmanya Swami, Dwarapalaka, Shiva, Devi, and Ganesha are the upadevathas of the Nagaraja Temple. As an ancient custom, the priests are Namboothiri Brahmins are assigned by Pambumekkat mana in Thrissur, Kerala.

In the temple, there is a shrine for Mother Durga. The idol of Mother Durga was discovered in the sacred spring there. Devotees pray for the relief from unfavorable aspects of Rahu and/or Rahu-Kethu planets in the Mother Durga shrine.

History of the Nagaraja Temple

The precise age of the Nagaraja temple is very hard to ascertain but findings have shown that temple is in the range of 1000-2000 years old. The origin of the Nagaraja temple according to the traditional background tells a tale of a day when a woman was working in the field, cutting paddy crops, she noticed blood dripping from a bunch. She found out that her sickle had slit into a five-headed serpent. Stricken with fear, the woman ran to the nearest village and narrated her experience to the people. The people followed her to the place to witness the miracle. They were amazed at what they saw. They discovered that it was a Nagaraja idol. They cleared and built a small shrine around the Nagaraja to preserve it for worship. People from other places also visited and worshipped at the shrine on hearing the miraculous discovery.

King Marthanda Varma of Kerala was suffering from leprosy and went to the Nagaraja temple on Sunday to worship. He was cured of his disease miraculously. He then built a big temple in appreciation. Since then, numerous devotees visit the temple for worship every Sunday during Aavani.

The Specialty of the Temple

A temple is a perfect place of prayer for devotees who are seeking relief from unfavorable aspects of serpent planets. Devotees pray to Nagaraja by consecrating Naga idols, offering milk porridge, and turmeric powder in the temple.

The Temple Festival

There are different festivals celebrated in the Nagaraja temple. They are:

  • The Thai Brahmmotsayam festival celebrated between the months of January and February.
  • The Aavani Sundays, Aavani Aslesha star day also known as Aayilyam and Krishna Jayanthi festivals are all celebrated between the months of August and September.
  • The Tirukarthikai festival always celebrated between the months of November and December.

Visitation Time

The Nagajara temple is always open to worshippers and devotees from 4:00 am to 11:30 am and from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Nagaraja Temple Dress Code

Below general statement as per high court order [Men should wear a “dhoti or pyjama with upper cloth or formal pants and shirts” to temples and women should wear “a sari or a half sari or churidhar with upper cloth.” Children could wear “any fully covered dress.”]

Requesting all the tourist to abide the dress code rules to avoid disappointment.

Nagaraja Temple Phone Number

You can contact the temple using these numbers +91- 4652- 232 420, 94439 92216

Nagaraja Temple Address

Mallancode – Nettankodu Rd, Tamil Nadu 629809