Dharmasastha Temple, Choozhal, Kanyakumari
Dharmasastha
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan located at Choozhal Village
located at Kerala Border in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Though the
temple is in Tamil Nadu, it follows typical South Kerala rituals and it is
managed and owned by Kalpazhamadom Choozhal. The other deities worshiped in the
temple are Ganapathy and Nagaraja. It is open during the Mandalakalam,
Makaravilakku Pooja, all saturdays, every Uthram Nakshatram day (Pakkanal of Ayyappan),
Aayilyam and the other important dates as per the Hindu Calendar. The Temple
Puja timing is from 6 Pm to 8pm however in some occasions the puja used to
perform in Morning also.
The
temple festival is in Makaravilakku which start on Makaravilakku day and
continue for another 10 days. The festival starts with the Ponkala and followed
by Special Pujas, Sapthaham. On the Last day of the Festival, the Idol of the
God Dharmasastha is taken out on a procession around the village in elephant
followed by Arati. During the visit, devotees of the Village used to worship
the God with Thattapuja. The procession accompanied by Tharappoli and some
cultural programmes.
The
Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Kollamkode, 6 Kms from Parassala, 12 Kms
from Kuzhithurai, 15 Kms from Marthandam, 10 Kms from Vilavancode, 20 Kms from Chitharal,
28 Kms from Thuckalay, 40 Kms from Nagercoil, 60 Kms from Kanyakumari and 40
Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The Temple is located 1 Km from Choozhal Bus Stop
in Parassala – Poovar / Kollemcode Road. Nearest Railway Station is located at Parassala
and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.