ABSTRACT
Pilgrimage is a journey of search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person’s beliefs and faith. Many religions attach spiritual importance to particular places: the place of birth or death of founders or saints, or to the place of their “calling” or spiritual awakening, or of their connection (visual or verbal) with the divine, to locations where miracles were performed or witnessed. Such sites may be commemorated with shrines or temples that devotees are encouraged to visit for their own spiritual benefit: to be healed or have questions answered or to achieve some other spiritual benefit. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim. Kanyakumari is notable for pilgrimage and tourism. The place takes its name from the goddess Devi Kanyakumari, considered to be a sister of Krishna. Another pilgrimage centre is Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil, and the other important pilgrimage centre is Thanumalayan Temple in Suchindram. Other important pilgrimage places are Mondaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Thiruvattar Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Velimalai Murugan Temple, Darisanamcope Raghaveshwara Temple, Parthivapuram Arulmigu Parthasarathy Temple and so on. Further some Christian and Islamic centres also considered as famous pilgrimage sites.
Introduction
Pilgrimage is a journey of search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person’s beliefs and faith. Many religions attach spiritual importance to particular places: the place of birth or death of founders or saints, or to the place of their “calling” or spiritual awakening, or of their connection (visual or verbal) with the divine, to locations where miracles were performed or witnessed. Such sites may be commemorated with shrines or temples that devotees are encouraged to visit for their own spiritual benefit: to be healed or have questions answered or to achieve some other spiritual benefit. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.
Pilgrimage Centres
Kanyakumari is notable for pilgrimage and tourism. The place takes its name from the goddess Devi Kanyakumari, considered to be a sister of Krishna. Another pilgrimage centre is Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil, and the other important pilgrimage centre is Thanumalayan Temple in Suchindram. Other important pilgrimage places were Mondaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Temple, Thiruvattar Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Velimalai Murugan Temple, Darisanamcope Raghaveshwara Temple, Parthivapuram Arulmigu Parthasarathy Temple and so on.
Kanyakumari Bhagavathi Amman Temple
Kanyakumari has great spiritual significance for Hindus, and is dedicated to the goddess Devi Kanya, an incarnation of Parvati. Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area. Legend has told that the Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one of the rocks of this land’s end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims come here to visit the temple and bathe in the sacred waters. Although wildly overdeveloped, the town and fishing beaches still manage a certain relaxed charm and there’s enough to keep you occupied for a day or so.
Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil
Nagaraja Temple, as the name signifies, is dedicated to the Serpent God. The serpent deity worshipped here is a five-headed Naga, which is installed on the ground. The temple complex also consists of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Anantasayana. Nagaraja Temple of Nagercoil is visited by pilgrims mostly in the month of Avani (August – September). On every Sunday in Avani, huge hordes of pilgrims visit Nagaraja Temple and offer special prayers to the serpent deity. It is the wet sand scooped out from the enshrined ground of Nagaraja idol, which is distributed as prasadam. Nagaraja Temple is one among the prime attractions situated in Nagercoil, the headquarters of Kanyakumari District.
Thanumalayan Temple in Suchindram
Suchindram is famous for the Thanumalaya Perumal temple which is also called Suchindram Anjaneyar Temple. Known for its sculptural grandeur, the temple has a majestic seven-storeyed white Gopuram which is visible from quite a distance. Its 40m facade is covered with intricately carved sculptures of Hindu deities. Located almost mid way between Nagercoil and Kanyakumari, Suchindram is a very famous pilgrim center. At just 7 kms from Kanyakumari Suchindram is famous for the Thanumalayan Temple. Thanumalayan Temple built in the 17th century and is famous for its sculptures and is known for its quality of workmanship. There is a Hanuman statue which stands at 22 feet carved of a single granite block, just outside the temple.
Christian
There are many important pilgrimage places in Christianity in Kanyakumari District. Particularly St. Xavier Church in Kottar, Kanyakumari Our Lady of Ransom Church, C.S.I. Home Church in Nagercoil, Thiruvithamcode Arappally St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Our Lady of Presentation Church, Colachel, Chinna Muttom St. Thomas Chruch, Devasahayam Mount, Mylaudy Ringel Taube Vedhamanickam Memorial C.S.I Church, Shrine of Our Lady of Periyanagi Church in Thiruvithancode, St.Antony Church in Vettuvenni, and etc.
St. Xavier Church in Kottar
In the year 1544, a small church was built by St. Francis Xavier with the help of the then Travancore king (This chapel for Mother Mary is still preserved as a part of St. Xavier’s Cathedral, Kottar, where continuous 12 hours adoration is carried out daily in week days). During the year1603, the church was modified and rebuilt by Swamy Andreas Puchario from Italy with mud and wood. St. Xavier Church was later renovated in 1865 and the Church of St. Mary was taken over. In the year 1930, St. Xavier Church rose to the status of a Cathedral. In 1942, a tower to honor St Francis Xavier was constructed. A grotto for St. Mary and minor shrine for St. lgnatius were also constructed within the premises of this cathedral. In 1955, the church was again renovated and the Chapel of St. Mary was added to this church. Annual celebrations are conducted at St. Xavier Church during November – December which last for about 10days.
Shrine of Our Lady of Periyanayahi Church at Thiruvithancode
Thiruvithancode is a small town in Kanyakumari District. It is well known for its historical importance in the then Princely State of Travancore. St. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, came to this land in 52 A.D. Here a church was built a thousand years back by king of Venad. It has become the church of our Jesus of Ancension. It was recorded that the Martyr Devasagayam Pillai was imprisoned in the secret tunnel inside the church. It was also told that St. Xavier, patron of the Diocese of Kottar, stayed here and continued his missionary works for a few days in the year 1545.
Islam
Apart from these Hindu and Christian Pilgrim centres there are some Islamic centres in Kanyakumari District. Particularly Malik Mohammad Oliyullah Dharga at Thiruvithancode, Peer Mohammed Oliyullah Dargha at Thuckalay, Chinna Palli Jumma Masjid Colachel, Guthba Mosque, Mosque at Thingal Nagar, Maathavalaayam Mosque, Sehu Noorudeen Mussliar, Palli Vaasal in Tehngapattanam, Malik Khan Garden – Maiyavaadi, Thittuvilai Jumaa Palli, etc.
Peer Mohammed Oliyullah Dargha at Thuckalay
Thuckalay Peer Mohammad Sahib was a contemporary of Mayalpattinam Sadakathullah Appa. He is the author of a large number of books on ‘Gnanam’ or supreme knowledge. His tomb is found in Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District. His works are highly noted for religious tolerance and deep theological ideas. His writings owned much for the cause of religions unity and communal harmony of the Tamil country. There is a Dargha named ‘Peer Mohammed Oliyullah Dargha’ at Thuckalay, named after the great philosopher Mohammed Appa, who was born in Tenkasi of Tirunelveli district.
Palli Vaasal in Thengapattanam
The Palli Vaasal in Thengapattanam, in Kanyakumari District is 1250 years old. The King Cheraman Perumal ruled over Kerala. During his period, the Arabian traders came for trade in Kerala through sea. Those traders preached the preaching of Nabigal. They built the first Pallivasal in Kodungallur in Kerala. The Thengapattana, Malik Dhinar Juma Palli Vasal was the last built one. It makes the people of Kanyakumari to feel proud. From the foundation to top lay with granite stones. The architecture of Arabian country can be seen in this Palli Vasal. Now this has been expanded spaciously.
Conclusion
Monuments in Kanyakumari District are the living examples which take us back to thousands of years and helps in exploring the history of India. These monuments also attract a large number of tourists from all over the world. A lot of effort has been put in by the Government of India to preserve these ancient and historic monuments and the government has succeeded to some extent. Tourism gives impetus to national income. Today many monuments are demolished in various ways. To preserve these monuments, Government should take action to create awareness among the people to preserve the ancient and historical monuments in Kanyakumari District. It needs more publicity. At present the tourist information centers are established only in Kanyakumari. Such centres should be established at other tourist spots in this district. Thus, Kanyakumari District if provided a hygienic environment, with its serene atmosphere and with its unique location, can attract a number of tourists both foreign and Indian. It can take Kanyakumari tourism to greater heights.
– Dr. V. Ranjan
Associate Professor & Head, Department of History & Research Centre, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil.
References
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