Kattalai Amman Temple, Perumchilampu, Vellimalai,
Kalkulam, Kanyakumari
Kattalai
Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple in Perumchilampu area in Vellimalai Village in
Kalkulam Taluk in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is located
in the village, surrounded by mountains and canals. The temple was known originally as Irumpudayaan
Kandan Sasthan kovil.
The
Temple
Although
the exact origins of the temple are not known, it is believed the temple was
worshipped for more than 1000 years. The Nagamman (The Snake Goddess) temple
and the centre lamp post are the only structures remaining from the original
temple. There are broken remains of baked mud statues around the temple. These
remains tell us that the temple was worshipped by many devotees during those days.
During
the early days of the complex, the entire area was covered with wild bushes and
trees. Devotees had to make way through the bushes to reach the temple. The Nagamman
temple itself was fully covered with bushes. Later, the complex was cleared of
these bushes. The current temple complex was built in 1981 and the first Amman
Kudai Vizha (annual celebration of the Devi) was conducted on 9 November 1981 (24th Aippasi 1157
of Tamil Calendar).
The Nakshatra on this day was Revathi.
Thereafter, every year, celebrations are conducted on the month of Aippasi on
the day of Revathi Nakshatra. There are three main buildings in
the temple: the renovated Nagamman temple, the Amman Temple (built in 1981), and Shiva Maadan Temple
(built later), which houses the deity Boothathan. The Temple complex consists
of the main campus, which houses the main deities, and the surrounding area.
These
areas also hold bases for some deities, a spring (ootrukuzhi) where fresh water
flows year-round, the temple pond, rocks and trees. The pond is also known as Irumpudayaan
Kulam. Legend tells that iron was melted and poured into this
pond. The temple is currently maintained by the Elur
Chetty community.
Connectivity
Vellimalai
is located about 14 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 14 Kms from Nagercoil, 30 Kms
from Kanyakumari, 12 Kms from Thuckalay, 8 Kms from Eraniel and 70 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest
Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.