Dharma Sastha Temple, Chemmuthal, Kanyakumari
Dharma
Sastha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan located at Chemmuthal
Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Tirukarthikai is the major
festival in this temple. During the festival, Hindu families light small lamps
in front of their homes to welcome the god/goddess. Throughout Karthikai month,
dishes such as Kozhukattai and Pongal will be served as prasadam, a religious offering. The celebrations also include
the lighting of homemade firecrackers, known as chutru. In the evening, singers perform bhajans at the temple.
Panguni
Uttara Mahotsavam and Pongal Festivals are the other festivals here with much
fanfare. The festival will start during the Tamil month of Panguni by village
peoples. Pongal festival is
conducted in Tamil month of Thai. It is a two-day festival organised by
Vivekananda Youth Club. In addition to Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, there are
7 Hindu temples and 3 Christian churches near Chemmuthal.
The
Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Killiyoor, 13 Kms from Vilavancode, 5
Kms from Marthandam, 9 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 4 Kms from Nattalam, 16 Kms from Kollamkode,
8 Kms from Munchirai, 10 Kms from Thiruvithamcode, 13 Kms from Colachel, 13 Kms
from Thuckalay, 16 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 26 Kms from Nagercoil, 46 Kms from
Kanyakumari and 50 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Nattalam and Kuzhithurai. Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.