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

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

 26^th 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 24^th to 26^th 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 18^th 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

22^nd 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 ---

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

26^th 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 24^th to 26^th January 2020. 

This was the 2^nd 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 3^rd Century to 7^th 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 16^th 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---

Adhikesava Perumal Temple / Arulmigu Adikesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar / Thiruvattaru, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

25^th January 2020.

The visit to this Adhikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattar(u) 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 24^th to 26^th January 2020.

 

 PC: Google map

The second day’s last visit was to this temple. This is one of the 108 Divya Desam and one of the Malai Nadu ( Kerala ) Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Adhikesava Perumal. The river Paraliyar changes its course as circle ( Vattam – வட்டம் )  in this place, hence  this place is called as Thiruvattar adding Thiru ( holy ) prefix. ( please read the legend also ). Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar. 

      வாட்டாற்றானடி வணங்கி மாஞலப் பிறப்பறுப்பான் கேட்டாயே 

      மட நெஞ்சே கேசவன் எம்பெருமானை பாட்டாய பலபாடி 

      பழவினைகள் பற்றறுத்து நாட்டாரோடு இயல்வொழிந்து 

      நாரணனை நண்ணினமே.

 ...........நம்மாழ்வார்

The Sangam literature Purananuru also mentions this place as Vattaru.

 

"கேளிலோர்க்குக் கேளாகுவன் கழுமிய வென்வேல் வேளே வளநீர் வாட்டாற்று எழினி யாதன் கிணையேம் பெரும

கொழுந்தடிய சூடு என்கோ?"

.......... புறநானூறு.

Moolavar  : Sri Adhikesava Perumal. 

Some of the salient features of this temple are....

The temple is on the elevated level/ hill and facing west. It has entrances on east and west side. Devotees used to enter on both side. The sanctum sanctorum is of rectangular shape, to accommodate Sri Adhikesava’s reclining posture on Adhiseshan. Moolavar is about 22 feet long and is made of Kaduku (mustard ), Chippi ( Lime powder ) and Sarkara ( jaggery ). So abhishekam is not done to the moolavar. It was told that 16008 salagrama is in side the idol. Along with moolavar are, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Madhu & kaidabars, There are three openings in the sanctum sanctorum. Head, body and foot are seen through these openings.  The sanctum sanctorum has koshtas with out images.

In the mukha mandapam reliefs of various deities on the wooden pillars. Ashtadikpalakas are on the ceiling. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam are in front of the mukha mandapam. Arjunan, Karnan,  warriors, Gangalar, Rathi, Manmadhan, Bickshadanar are also in the mukha mandapam. Since the temple is under palalayam, Poojas are conducted to Urchavars kept in the inner prakaram. In the outer prakaram Dharmasatha and Vattakni nathar.   

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum was built during 7^th to 8^th Century by the Aay Kings. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with tripatta kumudam. Bhuta ganas are in the valapi. The temple has inner and outer prakaram built in kerala style. The outer prakaram was built in 16^th to 17^th Century. It is awesome to see the Pavai vilakku / females holding the lamp statues are on the pillars. The pillars has various bas-reliefs which includes, vaishnava deities, birds, flower motifs, animals, erotic sculpture, etc,.

The Sanctum walls are with various paintings like, Gajalakshmi, Narasimha,  and Vishnu’s various avatars. The balipeedam is little higher with Krishna / Kanna playing the flute and the calf are drinking milk from other mothers. Believed that this temple was constructed similar to Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, but not to that size ).

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even-though the temple is under the control of HR& CE Department, the functions and poojas are done as per Thiruvithangur Maharaja’s decisions. Venattu kings worshiped Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal as their Kula Deivam. The poojas are not as per Tantrika agama. Brahmins are not allowed to carryout the poojas and poojas are done by the Pothimars.

The temple has Kulothunga Chozha-I’s inscription with his meikeerthi. A 11^th Century inscription records the paving of steps by Varadhapattar. The 17^th Century inscription  mentions only the year.   

Apart from Chozha King's inscriptions, Veera Marthanda Varma (510 – 519 CE ), Veera Kerala Varma ( 519 – 550 CE ), Sempalathitha Varma ( 612- 646 CE ), Kulasekara Perumal ( 644-659 CE) and Unni Keralavarma ( 734 – 753 CE ) period inscriptions, once recorded are missing during renovations.

The Tamil inscription dated Kali 4705 records the renovation of this temple. A Single stone mandapa was built during Kollam year 778. Another mandapa was also  built by Kulasekara Ravi Varma. 

The 1794 CE Inscription records that Marthandavarma, before going to war at Colachel, 908 gold coins, Silk Cloth and Sword kept under the feet of Adhikesava Perumal  and prayed to get victory in the war.

The 1937 CE latest inscription records Mahatma Gandhi's Visit. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was carried out on 5- 6th July 2022, after about 418 year. 

Inscription

LEGENDS

Due error in the Brahma’s Yajna, two demons called Kesan and Kesi came out. They gave troubles to Devas and Sages. When they complained to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu killed Kesan and kept Kesi as pillow. The demon’s wife sought Ganga and Tamiraparani's help to destroy Lord Vishnu. When the two rivers came in spate, Mother earth raised the level and the rivers flowed like a garland ( Circle ) around him. Hence this place is being called as Vattaru. 

When Kesi tried to escape from Vishnu’s 12 hands, Vishnu held Kesi in between 12 Rudrakshas, which latter turned to 12 Shiva Temples around Thiruvattar. Shiva Devotees used to run and pray all the 12 temples on Maha Shivratri day. Since Lord Vishnu destroyed Kesan, he is being  called as Adhikesava Perumal.

     

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline +91 4652 241270 my be contacted fro further details.

Email: jceosuchindrum@gmail.com

Web site : http://tiruvattaruadikesavaperumal.hrce.in/index.html

HOW TO REACH:

The place Thiruvattar is 6 KM from Marthandam, 30 KM from Nagercoil, 50 KM from Kanyakumari, 110 KM from Tirunelveli, 280 KM from Madurai and 725 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

  Pillar reliefs

 Pillar reliefs

  Dwarapalakas at the mukha mandapam

  Rathi and Manmathan

 Ceiling panel

 Sanctum wall painting

 The bas relief of Adhikesava Perumal on one of the door.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---