Povankapurampu Samundiswari Temple, Manalikarai,
Kanyakumari
Povankapurampu
Samundiswari Temple is located at Manalikarai, a small village located in the
southern part of ancient Travancore state, presently under Kanyakumari district
of Tamilnadu in Kalkulam Taluk. The area comes under Padmanabhapuram
division in Kalkulam Taluk in Kothanallur Panchayat. The Malayalam name
Manalikkara was very popular during the Travancore state rule and after the
reformation of Indian states in 1956, this place is more known as
Vazhikkalampadu and it became the part of Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu.
This
place belonged to constituency of Princely Travancore State in 1235 AD. The Inscription about Taxation
was written in a pillar in front of the Manalikkara Alwar Temple in year 410 ME
during the rule of Venadu ruler King Veera Ravi Kerala Varma. The place
Manalikkara has its influence as one of the branch of Travancore royal family
in Kalkulam in 1610 AD. Raja Sri Illaya Rama Varma from Venadu was from
Manalikkara branch of the family in Kalkulam.
The
Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Manalikarai Bus Station. Manalikarai is
located at about 13 Kms from Marthandam, 10 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 10 Kms from
Padmanabhapuram, 12 Kms from Eraniel, 20 Kms from Nagercoil, 9 Kms from
Thuckalay, 18 Kms from Colachel, 42 Kms from Kanyakumari, 27 Kms from
Boothapandi, 16 Kms from Thirparappu and 58 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Eraniel and Nearest Airport is located at
Thiruvananthapuram.
