Thovalai Murugan Temple, Kanyakumari
Thovalai
Murugan Temple is a small yet beautiful shrine located on a small hill in Thovalai
in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple, being located on a small
hill, offers beautiful views of the surroundings. The village is famous for the
production of flowers. The Western and Eastern Ghats extend through the village.
The Wind Farms located in Muppanthangal near by this temple is quite a nice one
to see.
Thovalai
was among several in Thiruvananthapuram district that with the passage of the States Reorganization Act of
1956 were transferred from Thiruvananthapuram
district, Travancore-Cochin State to the newly created Kanyakumari district of Madras
State (the latter later renamed
as Tamil Nadu State).
The
Temple
Thovalai
Murugan Temple, being located on a small hill, offers beautiful views of the
surroundings. The temple is dedicated to Subramanya, the younger son of Shiva.
The temple enshrines a beautiful idol of Kumaraswamy or Lord Muruga in standing
posture. Paintings of the six adobes of Murugan or Arupadai Veedu can be seen
inside the temple walls.
Festivals
Soora
Samharam or Sooranporu and Malar Muzhukku Vizha are the important
festivals celebrated at Muruga Temple at Thovalai. Shasti and Kiruthigai
days are considered important to Murugan and hence special poojas are prayers
are conducted on the temple. At this temple, the Pushbabishekam festival is
commonly celebrated at the end of May. The temple at festival time is filled
with all varieties of flowers.
Connectivity
Thovalai
Murugan Temple is located at about 13 Kms from Boothapandi, 14 Kms from Suchindram,
23 Kms from Kanyakumari, 14 Kms from Nagercoil, 4 Kms from Aralvaimozhi and 84
Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is Thovalai Railway
Station located at about 1 Km from the Temple. Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
Thovalai Murugan Temple is located on the National Highway running between
Tirunelveli and Nagercoil near Aramboly gap. Frequent bus services are
available, as the village is situated in between the Nagercoil and Tirunelveli.
All the passenger trains and some express trains are also having stop at this
Thovalai Railway station.