Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam, also known as Kanyakumari Temple or Kanyakumari Devi Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The temple is located in the town of Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, where the three seas – Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean – meet.
The temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, where the Goddess is worshipped as the Supreme Power. The temple is also famous for its unique architecture, spectacular ocean views and historical significance. Visit during Kanyakumari Local Sightseeing by cab
Location of Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is located at Temple Road, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702, India. It is about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the city center and 90 km (56 miles) from the nearest airport at Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is easily accessible by road, rail and sea from different parts of Kanyakumari and nearby areas.
Timing/Entry Fees Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is open to the public daily, including Sundays (excluding public holidays) between 05:00 am and 09:00 pm. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but visitors are requested to follow the rules and regulations of the temple authorities and respect the local customs and traditions. Visitors are also advised to avoid littering and damaging the temple premises.
The daily rituals at the temple are as follows:
- Abhishekam: 05:00 am
- Deeparadhana: 06:00 am
- Abhishekam: 10:00 am
- Deeparadhana: 11:30 am
- Sayaratchai Deeparadhana: 06:30 pm
- Sri Bali: 08:15 pm
- Yeganda Deeparadhana: 08:25 pm
How to Reach Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
There are many ways to reach Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam from different parts of Kanyakumari and nearby areas. Some of the common modes of transport are:
- By Road: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is well-connected by road with various parts of the city and nearby towns. There are many buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws that ply to and from the temple. The temple road, also known as Beach Road or NH44, runs parallel to the coast and has signboards indicating the direction to the temple.
- By Rail: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam can be reached by train from various railway stations in Kanyakumari and nearby areas. The nearest railway station is Kanyakumari, which is about 2 km (1.2 miles) away from the temple. Other nearby railway stations are Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and Thiruvananthapuram. From these stations, one can take an auto-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw to reach the temple.
- By Sea: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam can also be reached by sea from Kanyakumari town. There are boat services that operate daily between 08:00 am and 04:00 pm, except during rough weather conditions. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes to reach the Vivekananda Rock Memorial or the Thiruvalluvar Statue, which are located near the temple.
Things to Do/Must See Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam offers a spiritual and cultural experience for visitors who want to worship Goddess Kanyakumari and admire her grace and glory. Some of the things to do and see at the temple are:
- Praying to Goddess Kanyakumari: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is one of the most revered shrines of Goddess Kanyakumari, who is worshipped as the Supreme Power and the Virgin Goddess. The temple has a sanctum sanctorum that houses a beautiful idol of Kanyakumari made of blue stone. The idol depicts her as a young girl holding a rosary in her right hand and a nose ring in her left hand. The idol faces east towards the sea and sparkles in the sunlight.
- Visiting the other deities: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam also has shrines for other deities such as Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Lord Ayyappa etc. The temple also has a separate shrine for Nagaraja, the serpent king, who is believed to have given the land for the temple.
- Participating in the festivals: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam celebrates various festivals throughout the year with great fervour and devotion. Some of the major festivals are:
- Chaitra Purnima: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) and marks the birthday of Goddess Kanyakumari. The festival is celebrated with a grand procession of Kanyakumari’s idol on a golden chariot, accompanied by thousands of devotees who take a holy dip in the sea.
- Navratri: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) and celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Kanyakumari. The festival is celebrated with various rituals and ceremonies such as abhishekam, alankaram, archanai etc. On the tenth day, a grand procession of Kanyakumari’s idol on a silver chariot takes place.
- Kalabham: This festival falls in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August) and commemorates the day when Goddess Kanyakumari applied sandal paste on her body to reduce her radiance and attract Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated with a special abhishekam of Kanyakumari’s idol with sandal paste, which is then distributed to the devotees as prasadam.
- Enjoying the view: Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam offers a scenic view of both the sea on one side and the hills on the other side. Visitors can also see other attractions such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Lighthouse etc from here.
Significance of Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is not only a tourist attraction but also a significant place for Kanyakumari and India. Some of the reasons why Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is important are:
- It is a spiritual site that showcases the faith and devotion of the people towards Goddess Kanyakumari, who is one of the most popular and powerful deities in Hinduism. The temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, where the Goddess is worshipped as the Supreme Power and the Virgin Goddess. The temple also has a connection with Lord Shiva, who was supposed to marry Kanyakumari but was prevented by Sage Narada.
- It is a cultural site that reflects the influence and integration of different cultures and communities in Kanyakumari. The temple is a blend of Tamil and Kerala styles of architecture, with its wooden structures, granite walls, mural paintings etc. The temple also celebrates various festivals throughout the year with great fervour and devotion, attracting visitors from different parts of India and the world.
- It is a historical site that showcases the history and heritage of Kanyakumari and Tamil Nadu. The temple is said to be more than 3000 years old and has inscriptions dating back to the 8th century CE. The temple was patronized by various kings and dynasties such as Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Nayakas etc.
FAQ’s
Q: Is photography allowed at Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam?
A: No, photography is not allowed at Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam for security and religious reasons.
Q: Are there any facilities or amenities at Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam?
A: Yes, there are some facilities and amenities at Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam, such as toilets, drinking water, benches, parking etc. There is also a souvenir shop where visitors can buy books, photos, CDs etc related to Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam and Kanyakumari.
Q: Are there any other attractions or places near Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam?
A: Yes, there are some other attractions or places near Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam, such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Lighthouse etc.
Conclusion
Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam, also known as Kanyakumari Temple or Kanyakumari Devi Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The temple is located in the town of Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, where the three seas – Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean – meet.
The temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, where the Goddess is worshipped as the Supreme Power and the Virgin Goddess. The temple is also famous for its unique architecture, spectacular ocean views and historical significance. Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Aalayam is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to worship Goddess Kanyakumari and admire her grace and glory in Kanyakumari.
