Tamil Nadu Temples Archives

Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple is situated nearby Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. This Hindu temple is famous for its worshiping of the King of Serpents or Nagaraja – Vasuki. Also, Nagercoil town derives its name from this very temple. This temple also has a huge number of naga statues from all over India.

What are the timings of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple?

Here are the timings of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	4:30 am	11:30 am
Evening Darshan	5:00 pm	8:15 pm

What is the history of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple?

History of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple is that Nagas are children of Kashyapa and Kadru. Among prominent nagas are Manasa, Sesha, and Vasuki and Nagaraja. Devotees believe that Nagaraja Temple was earlier a Jain temple because of the images of Jain Tirthankaras, Mahavira and Parswanatha on the pillars of the temple.

However, there is no authentic epigraph to help us understand its chronology. The mountain Mahendragiri in the Kanyakumari district is also popular as the abode of Nagas in the Ramayana of Valmiki. From this, one can presume that the origin of Naga influence in the area goes back to legendary times.

But there is a local story that goes around. Once there was a girl who was cutting paddy when suddenly she cut her hand and blood began to spurt out. Soon she saw that the sickle had cut into a five headed serpent. The girl was afraid and went to the village. She then told the villagers about this miracle. So, they all came to see this peculiar event and they cleared the space allotting it to the Lord.

What is the significance of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple?

Significance of Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple is that Nagaraja deity, which originated itself , is below ground level in a square plot which is a wet place. The deity has five faces and only the place where the Nagaraja sits is wet. The soil here underneath the Prathishta has a saffron colour.

It is because of the blood that oozed form the head of the idol. The temple also gives the soil as Prasada.

The temple has a distinct style of their own by the lavish use of wood, stone and metals. The surrounding walls of temple also consist of mud. Moreover, the roof has coconut leaves and bamboo poles. Devotees also believe that this soil is a good medicine for skin diseases.

What are the festivals celebrated at Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at nagercoil nagaraja Temple are:

Thai Brahmmotsavam in January-February; Aavani Sundays and Aavani Aslesha (Aayilyam) star day and Krishna Jayanthi in August-September.
Navarathri in September-October and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

How to reach Nagercoil?

Here’s how to reach Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple:

Air: Nearby airport is Madurai, Thiruvanathapuram.
Rrail: Nagercoil junction is the nearby railway station. One can easily take trains from here.
Road: The temple is 1km far from Nagercoil Vadaseri and from Meenakshipuram bus stand. Adequate road facilities are available to reach Nagercoil from all parts of the state.

Where to stay near Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Nagercoil Nagaraja Temple are:

Hotel Sahana Castle at Distillery road, vadaseri is a great place with suitable accommodations, according to reviews. It is opposite to the Omni bus stand.
Hotel Udupi International is another grand place to check in. It is about 20 km away from Kanyakumari. It has splendid facilities including its advantageous position making communications available at its doorstep.

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some of the places that one can visit near Nagercoil Nagaraja temple are:

Padmanabhapuram Palace, is one of the chief attractions of Tamil Nadu in Padmanabhapuram village of Kanyakumari District about 15 km from Nagercoil. King Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal built it around 1601 A. D. which is famous for its antique and tricky woodworks.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is also a popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari in honor of Swami Vivekananda and his teachings.
Further, Devi Kanya Kumari temple is one among the 108 Shakthi Peethas in the world. Sage Parshurama built it around 3000 year ago for the goddess Bhagavathy Amman.

Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple is at a distance of 13 km from Kanyakumari. This temple is for Lord Hanuman and is also famous as “Suchindram Lord Anjaneyar Temple ” which indicates to the trinity, worship of three Gods – Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

“Sthanu” means Siva; “Mal” means Vishnu; and the “Aya” means Brahma. Moreover, the word Suchindram comes from Sanskrit meaning ‘purify’.

What is the history of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Built during the 17^th century the Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple boasts an interesting history. Also, the Namboodiris, one of the main Namboodiri families called the Thekkumon Madam previously controlled it. It is a belief that Lord Shiva stayed at Suchindram Temple when Devi came for self-punishment at Kanyakumari.

Lord Indra, the king of Devas also got rid of His curse by worshiping the Lingam at this Thanumalayan Temple. And hence devotees believe that Lord Indra visit this temple everyday to worship Lord Shiva. The temple also has a huge appeal to Vaishnavites and Saivites all over India.

What is the significance of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

The significance of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple is that the statue of Lord Hanuman stands majestically at a height of 22 feet, which is carved of a single block of granite. Moreover, the representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India.

Devotees also believe that Lord Hanuman hid underground at this temple in 1740 to protect it from the attack by Tipu Sultan, a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.

There are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone, and which stand at 18 feet (5.5 m) in height; these are an architectural and design highlight of the temple grounds.

The gopuram has been carved with Ramayana and Mahabharatha stories by using herbal ink.

Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki, Indra Vinayaka, Kala Bhairava and Saakahi Ganapathy are also present here. Inscriptions date from the 9th century are found in this temple making it more ethnic in its core.

The dancing hall of this temple contains an additional 1035 pillars filled with wonderful carvings.

What are the timings of Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Here are the timing so f Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	4:30 AM	11:30 AM
Evening Darshan	5 PM	8:30 PM
Abhisheka for moola lingam	4:15 a.m.
Abhisheka for Thanumalayan	4:15 a.m
daily pooja	5:30 a.m.
Abhisheka pooja	6:30 a.m.
Mistanga pooja	7:15 a.m.
Ucchikala pooja	11:00 a.m.

Which festivals are celebrated at Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple are:

The Avani festival takes place at August.
The Masi festival takes place at March.
Marghazi festival is an important one and takes place for two months at December and January.
Chiththirai festival takes place at April.

How to reach Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Here’s how to reach Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple:

Air: Thiruvanathapuram International airport is the nearest airport 70 km away from the temple.
Rail: Nagercoil junction located at a distance of 3 km from the temple is the nearest station where regular trains are available.
Road: Buses ply from places such as Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Trivandram.

Where to stay near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple are:

Pioneer Grand Palace is roughly 7 km from Parakkai Lake and 1 km from Vadasery Bus Stand. The property in Nagercoil is a budget accommodation offering free buffet breakfast and great atmosphere.
Hotel Reech at 57 Court Road, Nagercoil is another suitable place to check in.

What are some temples near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple?

The world famous Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple is near Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple. It is an important temple near Nagercoil – colachel State highway in Mandaikadu. During the month of Masi, people from all over India come here to celebrate the famous Kodai vizha festival.

Arulmigu Bhagavathyamman Temple is at the confluence of three seas of India’s South Corner.

Parasuram constructed the temple 3000 years ago and then one of the kings of the Pandya Dynasty renovated it. Devotees believe that Goddess Bhagavathy stood here as a spinster and she killed the demon Banasuran on Vijayadasami, the last day of Navarathiri festival.

Tamil Nadu Temples