Kuzhithurai - Kuzhithurai Famous Places and Monuments- Overview

Kuzhithurai Famous Places and Monuments- Overview

Temples

On the right of this Palace you will find a five headed Snake God idol, which is believed to be worshiped by Travancore rulers. This idol was ignored for a very long period and now localities has joined hand to identify and build a separate temple for the Snake God. The nadapandhal of this Palace leads to Goddess Devi Chamundeswari temple built by Maharaja of Travancore. However this path has been destroyed and blocked now. The temple was constructed in Ancient Kerala 'Naalu kettu' model of architecture. The temple has been ruined due to the negligence of Devaswom Board of Tamil Nadu. Over a period of time due the collaboration of all native people the Chamundeswari temple has been re-constructed and given a modern look. In this temple ancient sword, Deer horn etc. are kept in a separate place and worshiped as Palliyara Devi, other Lords include Ganapathy and Kulapura yakshi Amma.

There is a famous Siva temple at the bank of the Tamparabarani river close to Chamundeswari Temple. This temple is believed to be worshipped by the MUNIS and RISHIS of 1000 years before.

The famous Trimoorthy temples called Mahadevar, Brahma and Mahavishnu temples are in one compound at banks of famous Tamraparni River just walkable distance from Kuzhithurai Bus stand. The Sree Chamundesari temple is just adjacent to the mahadevar temple. Though the temples are under Devaswam board but these temples are maintained by a best trust called kuzhithurai sree mahadevar kshektra samrakshna samithi, with the help of devotees of this surrounding area the committee has spend a huge amount for the renovation of the temples. A large number of devotees from Kanyakumari and Trivadrum District are visiting Sree Chamundeswari Temple for special poojas especially unmaried girls for a good marriage life. And its the only temple where you find all Brahma, Vishnu and Siva together. The Brahma temple which is located between Siva and Vishnu carries a 'Conch emblem' which is believed to be of Travancore Maharaja's. It is also said that the temple area had a dispute between arch rivals Marthandavarma and Yettu veetil pillamars. And this Brahma temple was built as a symbol of victory by Travancore Maharaja. The temple also have Ganapathy and Snake deity idols. The temple festival is celebrated once in a year during the month of December. The festival ends on the Thiruvathira day. On the left side of the Temple you will find a huge rock which is believed to have some history associated with it.

Outside the temple you will find 3 rows of residential area known as Grammam. There are lines of houses sharing a single wall among each other. These houses are typically called as 'Agraharam' It originates from the fact that the agraharams have lines of houses on either side of the road and the temple to the village god at the centre, thus resembling a garland around the temple.

Municipality and streets

The Street close to temple is called 'Kizhe Grammam' ( Very Lower street), and perpendicular to this on the right you will find 'Thazhe Grammam' ( Lower street) and the one behind this is called 'Mettu Grammam' ( higher street). All these areas had been occupied by 'Brahmins' associated with this temple earlier. However most of the people in this community had migrated with their offspring to metro cites and now you will find a mixture of all caste residing in these houses. The Thazhe Grammam has a Mahalakshi temple maintained by Brahmin's community.

Beyond these agraharam you will come across two very big streets. 'Eda Theru' (median Street) and 'Perum Theru' ( Big Street).

Eda theru road leads to Kuzhithurai Municipality Court, known as 'Kacheri Nada' ( Court Gate). And on the mid of this road to the left you will find Angalamman Temple.

Perum Theru is mostly occupied by 'Chetty' community people. There is a famous Goddess Kizhe theru Mutharamma temple in the beginning of Perum Theru and there is on at the end of Perum Theru Called Meletheru Mutharamma ( Kizhe Theru= Lower street) Mele theru ( higher street). These Goddess are believed to be Elder and Younger Sisters respectively. A Grand yearly festival is celebrated in the Name of 'Amman Koda' once in a year in the month of March.

The Road right to Kizhe Theru Mutharamma leads to Kadanthan code. There is a public Crematorium on the bank of river along this way. This crematorium is shared by all irrespective of any caste difference.

Perumtheru and Eda theru roads are connected at both ends in a circular shape. The connecting road near Kizhetheru Mutharamman temple is now a small market area occupied by vegetable vendors and Fish sellers.

The road that connects Perumtheru and Edatheru from has a Ganesha temple on Perumtheru end and Municipal Court on Edatheru end.

The Perumtheru and Edatheru Roads takes you to 'Chamba Theru' which is mainly a residence of Fishermen community. This street is aligned mostly as a continuation Edatheru further Court area. The Champa Theru road ends is Kazhuvanthittai, which is believed to be a specific area to hang people during King's rule. The Kuzhithurai railway station is situated in Kazhuvanthittai.

The main road from Siva Temple takes you to Kuzhithurai Post office Junction.On the way you will find Devasomboard Govt High School and Govt Boys hostel and Govt Library respectively on the left. Opposite to Library there is govt PWD office and famous Arasari Vinayagar temple.

The post office here is a very ancient building continue echoing its history. The road left to Post office leads you to Sub-Path in river. In local slang it is commonly heard as 'Chappath'. This is mini check dam type walkover constructed across the river easing transport when the high way bridge construction work were been done at the time of British rule.This sub-path leads to Famous Vettuvenhi Ayyapa Temple.The Ayappa temple here is famous and also called VedivachanCoil where people offer fireworks as a prayer to Lord Ayyappa.

On the left of Sub-path exits the famous VLC ground in which famous Vavubali festivals are organized once in a year. Rest of the season these area serves as play ground. There is a big auditorium donated by VLC cashew company to Municipality. This auditorium has been dying to its death and because of some appreciable efforts from Municipality Authorities. This Auditorium has been renovated to a Marriage hall very recently. This VLC play ground is once believed to be the camping area for King's soldiers.

The road right to the right of Post Office Junction is connected to Kuzhithurai Municipality Court and further Kazhuvanthittai railway station.

The road opposite to Kuzhithurai Post Office leads to Kuzhithurai Bustop. There is a famous Kalpalathadi Amman temple on the left of this road - Isakki amman temple.

Marthandam is a major trade centre in Kuzhithurai municipality across National Highway (NH 47) in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India, closer toKerala. Originally called Thoduvetty, it was a portion of Kanyakumari district which was added to the state of Tamil Nadu on November 1, 1956. The name Marthandam originates from the breast tax levied by the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom (Mar=breast; thandam=tax). Marthandam thus refers to 'the place where breast tax was collected'. However, many confuse it with Marthanda Varma, a Travancore King whose name has got nothing to do with Marthandam

The Padmanabhapuram palace, Thriparappu water falls, and many famous temples are close by.

The famous Jain temple known as Malayil kovil is near here, while the exact name of the place is Chitharal. The Jain temple is one of the very few surviving temples in Tamil Nadu while many others were either demolished or converted into Hindu ones. Frequent buses are available from Marthandam to Thikurichy. A number of foreigners are visiting this temple. Alappancode Sree Easwarakla Boothathan Temple is just 4 km from Kuzhithurai Jn to wards Arumanai Road and adjacent to Melpuram Jn. In Tamil Nadu it is the only temple where a large number of caparisoned elephants are participating in the annual festival. Every year more than thirty five decorated elephants are joining for the procession. The procession will start from the Kariyathara Temple in Anducode and finishes in Alappancode and the procession will cover about seven kilometers. Devotees from Kerala and Tamil Nadu are gathering here to see the festival. The festival will be held on the last Saturday of December.