Thirparappu Waterfalls and Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple

Last week to spent our holidays we visited the place Thirparappu/Thriparappu (Malayalam: തൃപ്പരപ്പ്, Tamil: திற்பரப்பு).  It is famous for a great waterfall and a sivalaya temple.  Commonly the waterfall of Thirparappu is known as ‘Kumari Kuttalam’ (Kuttalam is a famous waterfalls in south India, Kumari itself Kanayakumari).  We knew only that much information when we started the journey.

We started our journey from Trivandrum through Marthandam, Kulasekharam via Thirparappu.  When we reached the place Thirparappu junction we had the confusion because the main road is splitting into two.  Right side road had the bus service and the other not.  Which way we are suppose to choose to reach Thirparappu.  To avoid the confusion there is a arch in the left side road to direct the people to waterfall.  We sent our vehicle through left side.  Commonly the waterfalls may not be found in habited area. But here we traveled through the residential area.  Within few minutes we reached the spot and parked the vehicle in the parking area.

By the side of the road we could find a channel.  Other side a board invited us to Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple.  It is the third Sivalyam of Kayakumari Sivalaya temples.  We went to the temple.  The environment of the temple was so peace.  Truly our mind will get relax if we go there.  Stone made the temple and it resembles Kerala Architecture.  The temple was build by Raja Raja Cholan.  Here the God is Lord Mahadevar (Siva).  That day was the special day of the God.  So the special pooja was going on the temple.  So would find the crowd.  The main occasion of this temple is Sivarathri.  After few minutes we came out and followed the way to the waterfall.

We paid the entrance fee, also they charged for camera. Then we moved to the waterfall through the steps.  Both the sides of the steps were many plants and tress and the plants were decorated with different beautiful shapes.  By enjoying the beauty of the plants again we followed way of waterfall.  Now we are in the waterfall.  ‘Wow’ what a beautiful place and scenery.  People were taking bath in the waterfall.  An excursion team from a school also was there in the waterfall.  Since for men and women separate places are there to take bath.  There were no chances for immoral activities.  After taking bath we went to the children’s park, which is maintained by Thirparappu Panchayath.  There was a swimming pool near by the waterfall and we have to pay if we go to the swimming pool.

This waterfall is on Kothayar/Kodayar River (which is originated from Kodayar Lake created by Pechipparai Dam).   Then we went nearby the riverside.  Since it was summer season a little amount of water seen in the river.  So we tried to cross the river in the shortcut way.  There were many rocks in the river.  In the river there was a Mandapam.  So we stayed here and there and enjoyed the nature.  Many more colourful fishes were swimming in the river.

There was a lake in the river, which was formed by a check dam.  Between the river and lake there was a bridge to across them. In the lake we could find the boating service.  We traveled through the bridge and reached the other side of the river.  There was a beautiful garden and a children’s park, which were maintained by Kadayal Town Panchayath.  Children were playing in the park.  Since it was summer season many ice cream sellers were there.  We had some ice cream to get relief from the hot.  To make more beautiful our journey we had boating also.  Like that we spent half of a day in our journey in Thirparappu.  By getting some things from the shops we return.

It is very good place for one day trip with family.  Here the bus service is not frequent, so better arranging a vehicle.  We hope since the palace is very famous, the Govt. authorities can make some more developments and facilities for public.

Location
Thirparappu, Near Marthandam, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, INDIA

How to reach
Trivandrum: Trivandrum-Marthandam- Thiruvattar-Kulasekharam-Thirparappu - 57km

Trivandrum: Trivandrum-Kattakada-Kallikkad-Neyyardam-Vellarada-Kaliyal-Thirparappu- 52km

Nagercoil: Nagercoil-Thucklay-Azhakiyamandapam-Verkilambi-Thiruvattar-Kulasekharam-Thirparappu - 42km

Nearest
Railway Station: Marthandam (Kuzhithurai)
Airport: Trivandrum International Airport

Nearby Attractions
Pechipparai Dam, Mathur Aqueduct, Chitharal Rock-cut Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari Bhagavathiamman Temple, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Beach, Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple

Sree Bhadrakali Amman Temple,Kollemcode

Sree Bhadrakali Temple is located at Kollemcode town panchayat of Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu. Kollemcode is a beautiful village, 30 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram and 65 kms away from Kanyakumari in the NH-47. There are two temples constructed for Sree Bhadrakali. One is at Kollemcode and the other one at Venkanji. There are two deities who are considered as sisters –– elder sister Bhadra and the youger Rudhra. Both the sisters Bhadra and Rudhra are worshipped at the same temple. ‘Bharani’ is the birthday of Sree Bhadrakali.
Every month Bharani day is celebrated in a grand manner. On the Bharani Day in the Meenam month (March or April) of every year ‘Thookkam’ Festival is celebrated. Lakhs of people from all over India participate in the function.
The old festival known as the Kollemcode Thookkam Festival is held in the Temple of Sree Bhadrakali Devasom every year and is mostly visited by couples who are younger or older and visit the temples for the Lord and also pay homage to her. Thookkam Festival is the most celebrated one and is generally held in the Bharani Day.
Kollemcode festival is like a feast for eyes with its treasure of green paddy fields, lotus ponds and a variety of trees which will take a visitor to the lap of the nature. The Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Devi Temple is a jewel to this natural province. Once praised as the beauty spot of Travancore, Kollemcode Temple now belongs to Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

The Antiquity of Kollemcode temple wakes up with the "Omkara" chanted by Arabian Sea(Only 1 km to beach) and the Thathwamasi messages emerging from the heart of the universe. Though Shree Bhadrakali Devi is believed to be appeared here as dual form of Shakti viz. Bhadra and Kali, the devotees get the blessings from the unified form of Mother Durga. These Goddess' reside in semi-circular "Mudis" (the artificial statue of Goddess) which are decorated with Snake Hood structures carved from jack tree wood.Every year there are offering of Pongal on the Pathamudayam Day of the Malayalam month ‘Medam’ – April. Thousands of devotees assemble from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thye observe Pongala rituals in and around of the temple and Leksharchana is the most important part of the ‘Pongala Mahotsava’.
Kaliyoottu is conducted once in twelve years. According to legends Lord Siva created Bhadrakali to get rid of the atrocities of the giant Darikan. Sree Bhadrakali beheaded Darikan in the battle. The festival lasts for ten days. On the last day the ground battle takes place. Lakhs of people gather to witness the battle.
The temple opens at 5am in the morning and closes at 11.45 am in the evening opens at 5pm and closes at 8 pm on special days there will be changes in the time.Sunday,thuesdayand Friday are the important days of Kollemcode temple.Ganapathy,Sivan and Nagar are the upadevathas of this temple and the poojas to this devathas is done according to thanthric way.

Sri Kumaraswami Temple – Velimalai

Presiding deity	Kumaraswami Also known as Subramania
Height	10 feet
Goddess	Valli
Procession deity	Manavalakumaran
Holy tree	Vengai
Holy spring	Teppakulam
Place	Kumarakoil
Scriptural name	Velvimalai
District	Kanyakumari

Prayer:
Velimalai Murugan is all blessigful to his devotees granting them their needs in marriage, wise children, business growth, education, mental and physical strength etc. Those trekking the mount to have the darshan of the lord get their needs fulfilled.
Prayer commitments:
Head shaving (Mottai), offering coins to one’s equal weight, decorating the deity with sandal paste, abishek in Panchamirtham, lighting ghee lamps, carrying Kavadi and milk pots are the commitments undertaken by the devotees. The rich offer liberal donations for temple maintenance and renovations.

Speciality:
In this ancient temple, the presiding deity Kumaraswami’s shrine is in the North East with his consort Valli. The idol is 10 feet tall, with long ears. It appears that the idols belong to Buddhist period. The stone also does not belong to some ordinary variety but is too strong in its homogeneity. The temple is at the border of Kerala state and noted for its reputation.
Reputation:
It is said that the wedding of Lord Muruga (Kumaraswami) and Valli took place here. A very famous temple touching the Kerala border. The Kanji (rice porridge) offered in the temple is believed to cure diseases. It is here Valli played with her friends and it is known as Kuravar Padukalam. The idol belongs to the Buddha period. Valli is on the left side. It is here Nambirajan (Valli’s father) lived. Lord Muruga was here in the form of Vengai tree to meet Valli.
General Information:
Velimalai is 4 km from Thakkalai and 12 kms from Nagercoil. There are lodges in Nagercoil for the pilgrims’ convenience. Adequate bus facilities are available from Nagercoil. Velimalai can be reached on the Thakkalai route.
Nearest railway stations are Iranial and Nagercoil, Airports are Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai. The temple Executive Officer of Kumaraswami Temple may be contacted on telephone o4651-250706. Fax 232270.
Festivals:
10 day Vaikasi Visakam (May-June) festival attracting over 15,000 devotees, Pushpabishekam on last Friday in Avani (August-September), 7 day Panguni (March-April) wedding festival and days considered important for Lord Muruga, Pongal, Deepavali, New Year days are festive days in the temple.
History:
Six places in Tamilnadu are revered as Aaru Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Velimalai is considered as the 7th. The place is now in Kerala. This is the place where Nambirajan, Valli’s father lived. Muruga-Valli wedding also took place here. Lord Muruga appears so majestically in 10 feet tall idol form. A very famous Muruga Temple in the region.

 

Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple – Mandaikadu

Presiding deity:      Bhagavathi Amman
Reputation:      A Sabarimala of Women
Speciality:      Tall ant-hill
Holy tree:      Neem tree
Worshipping:      Firing crackers
Offering:      Puttamudhu pudding
Place:      Mandaikadu
Scriptural name:      Mandhaikadu
District:      Kanyakumari

 

Prayer:
Those aspiring for marriage alliance to be concluded and children visit the temple for fulfillment of their expectations. Those suffering from severe headache and effects evil impacts and the handicapped pray to Bhagavathi Amman for reliefs.
Prayer commitments:
Devotees offer silk cloths and Mangalsutra to the goddess. The handicapped offer limbs made of silver for cures. people also offer cradles in the temple for getting children. Crackers are fired to relief from the impact of evil looks and effects. Some use to have the food placed on the floor and eat it. This is known as Mansoru Eating.
Speciality:
The temple is built after the Kerala tradition in a very simple style. The roof of the temple has orange colour tiles, an anthill touching the roof. At the upper end is the face of Goddess Bhagavathi. People cook a pudding here with rice flour, sugar, jaggery called Mandaiappam and offer it to the Goddess for relief from headache and none is disappointed, it is widely said.

Reputation:
Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple is known as a Sabarimala for Women. The 15 feet tall anthill is the Bhagavathi amman. Women visit the temple with the Irumudi (a bundle containing puja items for the Goddess) as men go to Sabarimala. Here is the Srichakra at the ground of the anthill. The temple was demolished and reconstructed for more than three times. Puja is performed only in the morning in the temple.
General information:
Mandaikadu is 75 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 95 from Tirunelveli. There is facility in the temple for staying. Charge Rs. 25 and Rs. 50. Lodges are available in Nagercoil also, charges ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 400. Bus facilities are available to Nagercoil from almost all parts of Tamilnadu. Devotes can reach Mandaikadu by road. Nearest railway stations are Iranial and Nagercoil. Narest airports are Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai.
Festivals:
10 day Masi festival (March-April) draws a huge crowd numbering 10 lakh. On Poornima day too. The crowd would be huge during the Tuesdays and Fridays of the Tamil month.
History:
His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya was performing Srichakra Puja with his Kerala disciples here. One day the Chakra did not turn back after the puja was over as usual. The Acharya stayed here itself and attained Samadhi. It is on this spot where the Srichakra existed, the anthill began to grow. Children playing this side and hitting the anthill were injured. Marthanda Varma, the king of Kerala came to know of these developments and built a temple and performed pujas regularly. Gradually, the temple assumed significance among the devotees. Today is a famous temple blessing the devotees.