Valarmalai Ramar Temple, Kuthukal Valasai, Thirunelveli
Valarmalai
Ramar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located in Kuthukal Valasai Village near Tenkasi in Thirunelveli
District of Tamilnadu. This village has the famous rock and natural environment
around and many films and dramas like Papanasam, Seval, Anjala etc. have been
shot in Kuthukal Valasai. Unusual Rock formation called Kuthukal (Rock) is
located on Kuthukal Valasai to Thirumalaikovil Temple Route.
Legends
Lord Sri
Rama came to this place with Mother Sita and beloved brother Sri Lakshmana and
rested on these rocks. Lord had also left his bow, arrow in this place, believe
the devotees. In memory of the stay of Lord in this place, people had built
this temple and named it Valarmalai Ramapiran Temple.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity of this Temple is Lord Sri Rama. There is a small spring in this Ilamalai
rock that doesn’t dry even in scorching summer. This was the source of
drinking water for the population in olden days. Even today, the
environment here continues to be green. The rock looks as the two pieces
of a broken coconut, between which the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is
built. It is believed that Sages are in these rocks. After visiting
Kasi, Sivakasi and Tenkasi, Lord Sri Rama finally came to this rocky place.
There is
a mutt at the foot of this hill. In olden days, those who seek alms from
the people of the place, used to stay here. They were healthy as it had
the touch of the feet of Lord Rama. Many people unwell then used to visit
this mutt and stayed here for a while. There is a tall lean rock here
threatening to fall at any time, rather waiting for the darshan of Lord
Rama.
It also
looks as if representing those performing penance standing on one leg. It
is indeed a thrilling sight. This place is called Kuthukal – a
planted stone – Valasai. Sri Anjaneya in the temple appears in worshipping form
with his hands held together. He is praised as a powerful deity in
the temple. Devotees write the famous line in tradition “Sri Rama Jayam” and
offer the paper garland to him for realizing their wishes. The devotee crowd is
huge on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Sri Rama
Navami in March-April and Sri Hanuman Jayanthi are the festivals celebrated in
the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
pray to Sri Anjaneya for realizing their wishes. They perform abishek to Lord
Sri Rama and Sri Anjaneya and offer Vadamala – a garland of Vadas a popular
dish of Tamilnadu.
Connectivity
Kuthukal
Valasai village is on the Tenkasi – Madurai highway at the 4th kilometer
in the four road junction. The temple is 1 km north of this junction. Kuthukal
Valasai is located at about 4 Kms from Tenkasi, 9 Kms from Courtallam, 4 Kms
from Ilanji, 8 Kms from Sengottai, 7 Kms from Ayikudi, 6 Kms from Panpoli, 65
Kms from Thirunelveli, 112 Kms from Thoothukudi, 110 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram and 160 Kms from Madurai. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Tenkasi. Nearest Airport are located Thoothukudi, Thiruvananthapuram and
Madurai.