Kailasapuram Ayya Vaikundar Temple, Peruvilai,
Kanyakumari
Kailasapuram
Ayya Vaikundar Temple is a Hindu temple in Peruvilai
village, in Kailasapuram in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. It is dedicated
to Ayya Vaikundar (Ayya Vazhi), a Manu Narayana avatar which arose from the sea and manifested in
Mudisoodum Perumal (c. 1810 - c. 1857). In 1836, Ayya founded Samathva Samajam, a human
rights movement which contributed
to the Independence of India and was influenced by the development of socialism in Europe.
Legends
In 1836,
Ayya Vaikundar, a member of the Hindu lower class, wanted to pull the temple chariot, a task traditionally reserved for the elite. This
angered and frightened the members of the upper class. King Swathi
Thirunal, who was temporarily residing
at Suchindrum (4
miles (6.4 km) away), had Ayya arrested and led away, tied to a horse.
In Swamithoppu, where
the arrest took place, Ayya's followers objected but he advised them to remain
patient. He said,
"Let them learn who I am and I will be back to you
without any harm."
Ayya was
brought before the king and answered the king's questions put to him with
wisdom. However, when the king asked Ayya to guess the item in his right hand,
Ayya dismissed the king, saying everyone's soul was of the same value because
the universe was created by one god. The king was angered and condemned Ayya to
fifteen months imprisonment in Thiruvananthapuram and further incarceration from November 1838 in Singarathoppu.
Despite
all sorts of torture such as brutality or poisoning, being made to walk through
fire or being burnt in a lime kiln, being fumigated with burning chillies or
being publicly taunted with a hungry tiger, Ayya maintained his composure and
appeared showered with flowers. When a guard poked the tiger with a spear, the
animal grabbed the spear then suddenly let it go. In the incident, the spear
hit a Brahmin chieftain who died of his injury. The king offered to release
Ayya if he agreed to remain within his caste but Ayya refused, saying he had no
caste. He also refused to leave jail until he was ready.
This
news spread Thiruvananthapuram and throughout India. People came before him in
large groups with fruits, flowers, and other gifts. His followers were from
parts of south Tamilnadu. On the 19th day of the Tamil month of Masi (March 3,
1839), Ayya returned to Swamithoppu Pathi. Ayya and his followers reached Swamithoppu
on the 20th day of Masi, now an auspicious day amongst Ayya's devotees
celebrated with a procession and a public holiday in south Tamilnadu.
Connectivity
Peruvilai
is located at about 2 Kms from Nagercoil, 6 Kms from Nagercoil Bus Stand, 6 Kms
from Nagercoil Railway Station, 13 Kms from Thuckalay, 13 Kms from Boothapandi,
23 Kms from Kanyakumari and 72 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Nagercoil and Nearest Airport is located at
Thiruvananthapuram.