Tuesday, November 21, 2017

St. Michael’s Shrine, Rajavoor, Kanyakumari

St. Michael’s Shrine, Rajavoor, Kanyakumari
St. Michael’s Shrine is located at Rajavoor Village in Agastheeswaram Taluk of Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu.  Rajavoor had been divided into 'Vadakkur' and 'Therkur' according to the communal population. While Vellalar reside in the northern part of this village, the southern part is dominated by Nadar community. Previously Rajavoor was called as Vanchimarthandanalloor in some land registration documents during the reign of Travancore Princely State ruled by Maharajas (refer Nagam Ayya's 'State Manual of Travancore'). Rajavoor has nearly 99% Catholic population.









St. Michael's Shrine is located at the center part of Rajavoor. The annual feast starts on the first Friday of May with a flag hoisting followed by a ten-day Mass and adoration. The eighth, ninth and tenth days are marked with a car procession to St. Michael Archangel, carnival ended with High Mass in front of the Holy Cars. The Roman Catholics and parish are administered by the Kottar Diocese. Rajavoor is located at about 17 Kms from Nagercoil, 17 Kms from Kanyakumari, 7 Kms from Suchindram, 15 Kms from Boothapandi and 88 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kanyakumari and Nagercoil. Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.