Showing posts with label Kanyakumari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kanyakumari. Show all posts

Thursday 13 January 2022

Kanyakumari District Temples

STATE/ DISTRICT

PLACE

DESCRIPTION

Kanyakumari Dist

Bhoothapandi

Bhoothalingaswamy Temple

Kanyakumari Dist

Chitharal

Chitharal Jain Monuments

Kanyakumari Dist

Kurathiyarai, Thovalai

A Rock cut Vishnu Cave temple

Kanyakumari Dist

Parthivapuram

Shri Parthasarathy Temple

Kanyakumari Dist

Suchindram

Thanumalayan Temple

Kanyakumari Dist

Thirunanthikarai 

Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple

Kanyakumari Dist

Thiruvattar

Adhikesava Perumal Temple 

Kanyakumari Dist

Thiruvithamcode

Sree Neelakandaswamy Temple

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Udayagiri Fort, உதயகிரி கோட்டை, Puliyurkurichi / Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

 26th January 2020.
The visit to this Udayagiri fort at Padmanabhapuram in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th January 2020.
 

Udayagiri Fort was constructed with mud during the reign of Venadu King Sri Vira Ravi Varma ( 1595 – 1607 CE ) and latter it was reconstructed with stone in the reign of Marthanda Varma ( 1729 – 1758 CE ). The matters of Nanjil Nadu made donations for the construction of this Fort. This fort served as a cantonment under De Lannoy The Dutch Captain who was captured as a war prisoner by Marthanda Varma and latter appointed as commander in-Chief Military equipment including cannons. The cannons were manufactured and stored here. It also served as a Jail, where the soldiers of Tipu Sultan’s forces were kept towards the end of 18th Century CE.

De Lannoy, who served as a captain of the army under the rulers of Travancore Marthanda Varma and Karthigai Thirunal Ramavarma, died in 1777 CE,  a memorial tomb was erected for him in the Udayagiri Fort Campus and it bears the inscriptions in Tamil and Latin languages. The emblem of the Dutch  Government is also found in this tomb. Near his tomb are also seen the tombs of his wife Margarette De Lannoy and his son John De Lannoy and Peter Flory, a second rank army General.

A Church was built  and roof was not erected. In side the Church there are tombs of De Lannoy’s family and other people. In addition to this it was told that there is a tomb for the Horses of De Lannoy.

1.  Lannoy Tomb Inscription- டி லெனாய் சமாதியின் கல்வெட்டு வாசகங்கள்.
இந்த லொகத்திலே இருக்கிறவனெ கெள்
வெகுமானமுள்ள இசமானாகிய யளவுஸ்தாக்கியு  தெலலுவ திருவாங்கொட்டு
வலிய தம்பிரானுடைய செனைப்படைகளுக்கெல்லாம் பிறதானமுமாகிய சீவவிய
கப்பித்தாருமாயிருந்து ( 37 ), வருசமாக மிஞ்சின விசுவாசத்தொடெ
தம்பிரானைச் செவித்து கிளக்கெயிருந்து வந்த படைகளிலெ நடத்தின
காட்டிகங்களல்லாமல் காயங்குள முதல் கொச்சி வரைக்குந் திருமனதிலெ
காருண்ணியங் கொண்டும் ஆயுதங்களுடைய பலத்தைக் கொண்டும் தம்முடைய பெர்
கீற்த்தியைக் கொண்டும் மாற்றானாக வந்தவர்களை நடுநடுங்க விரட்டி அவர்களை
தம்முடைய இராசாவுக்கு கீள்ப்படுத்திக் கொடுத்து இந்த வெகுமானமுள்ள சேவுகத்திலெ
சாகுமட்டு மிளைப்பாறாமல் கஸ்த்திப்பட்டு சகல நன்மையு மடைகிறதுக்கு
பாத்திரவானுமாய் இருந்து கிடாட்சத்திலெ நிறைந்து (62) வயசும் (5) மீ
சுகமெயிருந்து (1777) வரு சூன் மீ (1) உ
மரணத்தை அடைந்து இந்த இடத்திலே  அடக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறார்.
தமிள்க்கணக்கில் (952) வரு வைகாசி மீ 22 ஞாயிற்றுக்கிளமை
ரா என்றறியவும். இவருக்காக சறுவெசுரனைப் பார்த்து மன்றாடி பிராத்திச்சு இந்த
ஆற்றுமற்றுக்காக ஒரு பரமண்டல மந்திரம் ஓதிக்கொள்ளவும்.



2. Lannoy’s Wife Tomb Inscription
பூலோகத்திலே பரதேசியா யிருக்கிறவர்களே’
பாருங்கோ இந்தக் கல்லறையிலே
மிகவுங் கிற்திப்பட்ட பெரிய கற்பித்தா(ர்) யெவ தாக்கியு
வெந்து நெ லானொயிஸ் பெண்சாதீயாகிய
மரிகாத் தெ லானையில் அம்மாளுடைய
யெப்போதும் தாரமாயத் தற்மங்கள்
செய்ததினாலே யெல்லாருடைய வாய்னாலே
யெழியவர்களுடைய தாயா ரென்று பேர்பட்டவள்
(958) வரு ஆவணி மீ (29)
புதன் கிளமை மரித்து போனாள் யிந்த புன்ணியவதியுடைய
ஆற்றுக்காக வேண்டிக்கொள்ளவும்.

3. De Lannoy’s Son's Tomb Inscription
பூலோக்த்திலே பரதேசிக் கிறிஸ்தவனெ
நில்லு நினையுங்கோ
இவிடத்திலே யிருக்கிற
வலிய கப்பித்தாருட மகன் செறிய கப்பித்தான்
(யு)வான் இஸ்தாக்கியோ வெந்தொ தெல்னுவ (921)
வரு ஆவணி மாதம் (12) செவாயிக் கிழமைக்கு பிறந்து
(940) வரு சித்திர மாதம் ( 920 ) உ திங்கள்
கிழமைக்கு களக்காட்டுச் சண்டையிலே காயப்பட்டு
( 941 ) வரு புரட்டாசி மாதம் (9) உ சரீரம்
விழுந்து போகவும் செய்து அவருடய
ஆற்பனாவுக்கு உதவியாக
சறுவேசுவரனோடே வேண்டிக்
கொள்ளவும் ஆமென்.

4. பெதுரு புலோரி Tomb 
வயசு (33 ) பரமண்டலம்
வேண்டிக்கொள்ளவும்
இந்தவிடத்திலே வெகுமானப்பட்ட
பெதுரு புலோரி (39) வருடம்
விசுவாசத்துடனே மகராசா அவர்களே
சேவித்து இந்த கோட்டைக்கு
ரணடாம் பேர் உத்தியோத்திலே
இருந்து ( 955 ) பங்குனி மீ (16) உ
பொதன் கிளமை மரணம் அடையிந்து
போனார் வயசு ( 55 )
5.  W Rouse Cond Tomb
SACRED
To the memory of
The Rouse
Wife of W Rouse Cond
Who departed this life
22nd Dec 1811
Aged 60 Years
This Tomb has been erect (ed )
By the desire of her Dought (er )
Mrs Jane Leonard

6. Captn. A r. Hughes infant sons.
Here lie the
Remains of the
Infant son of Captn. A.r. Hughes
5 Reign : N:1
Born March 16: and
Died July 31. 1812
Also of a second on
Alex Radford
Born March 12: and
Died Octob: 7 : 1813

7. Major. tomb 
இந்த யிடத்தில்
அடக்கப்பட்ட சரீரம்  திருவதங்கோட்டு
ராச்சியத்தில் சங்கை
பொறந்த முடிதரிக்கப்பட்ட
மகாராசர் அவர்கள் படை
றாணுகளில் மேசர் பிக்கசர்சாற்றிகள்
வுரெட்டு அவர்கள் வெகு
நாளாய் சேவகத்தில் சேவித்து
யிருந்து (978) வரு
புரட்டாசி மீ (11) மரணமடைந்தார்.



In addition to this there are two tombs. They belongs to Shree Mudiyil M K Kesava Pillai, who died in 1968 and his wife Mrs M K Kesava Pillai alias L Gourikutty Amma, died on 19-07-1971. M K Kesava Pillai and his wife, who was the custodian of this property until the Tamil Nadu government acquired this for social forestry. This Fort was a gift from the then Maharaja to Divan Peshkar of Travancore Sree MK Kesava Pillai, now a case is still pending at Chennai against the acquisition. 

 Tomb of Shree Mudiyil M K Kesava Pillai and his wife Mrs M K Kesava Pillai alias L Gourikutty Amma.
 
The Fort is under the Control of Forest department and a Bio diversity Park is functioning inside the Fort. There is a Temple also at the entrance of the Fort.

HOW TO REACH:
Udayagiri fort is about 500 meters from Padmanabhapuram.
Padmanabhapuram is  18 KM from Nagercoil, 40 KM from Kanyakumari, 102 KM from Tirunelveli, 275 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE FORT : CLICK HERE



 The Horse Tomb
 The way to De Lannoy Church
 Fort wall
  Fort wall
A Temple at the entrance of the fort
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Monday 17 February 2020

Thiruvithamcode Arapally / Royal Church / Thomaiyar Kovil / St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Thiruvithamcode, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

26th January 2020.
The visit to this Christian Church at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th January 2020. 


This was the 2nd temple’s visit on the third day after Thiruvithamcode Sree Neelakanda swamy  Temple. This place is being spell in different ways such as Thiruvithancode, Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc.

THIRUVITHAMCODE ARAPPALLY - Usually the word Aram is used in Jainism and Arapalli is that one,  School which teaches, good habits. Jainism was flourished in Kanyakumari, especially between 3rd Century to 7th Century. During that time Jain monks practiced thanams / gifts  like Education, food, oushadham / medicines. Jains calls these are Aram – அறம்.  Since St Thomas also teaches the principles of Jesus, this place / Church might have been called as Arapally.

The Church claims to be the world’s oldest  living churches in India  and believed to be built by St. Thomas, known as the apostle of India in 57 CE ( Actual year is not known ) and the Cross was carved by him. The Church is being called in different names like Thomaiyar Kovil, St. Marry’s Orthodox Church, Amalagiri Church  and Thiruvithamcode Arappally.

It is also believed that this Church was built during  Kerala King Perum Chottu Uthiyan Cheralathan. But there is no evidence to prove the same. The church might have been built in different stages. The entrance arch is built with stone beams and pillars. The beam has the bas-relief of  Cross and two persons in worshiping posture. A small cross is on the top of the arch. A Kerala style stone lamp is erected after the entrance arch. The alter is very simple. The main alter portion was built with granite stones quarried locally. The alter portion and prayer hall  are supported with pillars & pothyal / Capital ( like Hindu Temples ).  The roof is slope on both sides and paved with mangalore tiles. The entrance to the prayer hall from front hall is with stone door jambs and the lintel has the Christian related bas-reliefs. There are two side entrances  near the alter portion. The Church is 45 ft in length, 15 feet wide and 10 feet high.

The Church’s Alter, baptism basin and incense burner are believed to be from Portuguese. On all the three sides new building like, residence, assembly hall, library and office rooms were built.  A stone Cross of about 20 feet tall with a pedestal is erected in front of the Church. Jesus life incidents are carved on the pedestal. In Additions to this there is a tomb on the right side of the Church. The names of past Pastors, Rev. Fr Yacoob, Rev. Fr. Alexander, Rev. Fr. Konattu Yacob, Very Rev. Fr. K V Gheevarghese Ramban, 14-07-1890 - 16-07-1970 are inscribed on a single tomb.
  
 A single grave of the past Pastors 

As per the Historians the original Church was built under the patronage of King of Thiruvithamcode. The same was found dilapidated condition about 80 years back and the same was reconstructed to the present state by the late Rev. Fr. Koottumkal Geevarghese Ramban. It is told that this Church was reconstructed  more than 5 times. This Church is being maintained by Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. On 16th December 2007, Catholicos of East, Baselios Marthoma Dydimas I, declared as a St. Thomas International Pilgrim Centre.


CONTACT DETAILS.
The land line +91 4651 250 216 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
The Place Thiruvithamcode ie about 2 KM from Thuckalay, 25 KM from Nagercoil, 35 KM from Kanyakumari, 107 KM from Tirunelveli, 260 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE







 A New building 
A Stone bowl
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sunday 16 February 2020

Sree Neelakanda Swamy Temple / Parithipani Mahadevar Temple, Thiruvithamcode, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

26th January 2020.
The visit to this Sri Neelakanda Swamy Temple at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th January 2020.
 

This was the 1st temple’s visit on the third day. This place is being spelled in different ways such as Thiruvithancode, Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc. Thiruvithamcode was the Capital city of the Thrippapur Swaroopam or Nanjil Nadu,during Venad Kings rule.

Moolavar : Sri Neelakanda Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with an entrance mandapam. The temple tank is on the right side.The temple complex consists of a Shiva Temple and a Vishnu Temple. Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are in front of the mukha mandapam. The base of the dwajasthambam has the small brass idols. The mukha mandapam entrance 4 pillars has the sculptures of Arjunan, Karnan / Bheeman  and Dwarapalakas. Nandhi is in the artha mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum looks cute. There is no images in the koshtam. There is no separate sannadhi for Ambal. Natarajar is in the inner prakaram, facing south.

Vishnu temple is on the left side of the Siva Temple with Sanctum Sanctorum, artha mandapam and an inner prakaram. This Vishnu temple also has a separate Dwajasthambam and balipeedam.

ARCHITECTURE:
The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The entrance to the artha mandapam is from three sides. The devotees are allowed up to east side of the artha mandapam entrance. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhanda adhisthana. Inner prakaram is closed on the top. The prastaram is of kapotha style with kood. In the mukha mandapa thulabharam. The outer walls of the temple are extended like a porch and supported with ladies with lamp / Pavai vilakku. On that once sculpture is a pregnant lady.

 Mukhamandapam
Mukhamandapam - balipedam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is believed to be constructed during 8th to 9th Century Aay Kings period. The mukha mandapa was constructed during 16th to 17th Century.  Inscriptions are found on a boulder near the sanctum and north side of the adhishtanam.

The 12th Century Sundara Chozha Padyan’s inscription the boulder records the gift of gold to burn a perpetual lamp at Thirumuthancode Mahadevar.

On the north side sanctum wall, the inscription records the gift of buffaloes to burn perpetual lamps to Lord of this temple. There is no mention about the King's name.

 Inscriptions in the Adhistanam
  Inscriptions on the adhistanam

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Pradosham, Annual festival and Maha Shivaratri are conducted in grand manner. Utsavar will be taken in procession on elephants, during annual function day which will be held between Dec- Jan.  Maha Shivaratri day devotees used to pray at 12 Shiva Temples, by run called Shivalaya ottam.

There are 12 Shiva Temples around Kalkulam namely, Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Theekurichi Mahadevar Temple, Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple, Thirunanthikarai Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Ponmanai Theembilangudi Mahadevar Temple, Thirupandripakam Shiva Temple, Kalkulam / ( Thiruvithamcode ? ) Neelakanda Swamy Temple, Melangode Shiva temple, Thirupandricode Mahadevar temple and Thirunattalam Sankara Narayanar Temple. On Maha Shivaratri day devotees used to run and worship all the temples shouting “E Gopala, e Gopala,.... Govinda.." Usually the run will start from Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple and finishes at Nattalam Sankaranarayanar temple, thus covering a total distance of 110 KM 

LEGEND:
It is believed that Vyaghrapada, Maha Vishnu and Sages  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
The Place Thiruvithamcode ie about 2 KM from Thuckalay, 25 KM from Nagercoil, 35 KM from Kanyakumari, 107 KM from Tirunelveli, 260 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE




 Arjuna & Karna / Bheema 
 Dwarapalakas 

 Mukhamandapam bas-relief
Mukhamandapam ceiling bas-relief



                                    MAHA VISHNU TEMPLE 

  Hanuman and Garudan


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---