Vana Sastha & Vana Durga Temple, Ithiyapuram Kaavu,
Kanyakumari
Vana
Sastha & Vana Durga Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan and
Goddess Durga located at Ithiyapuram Kaavu near Swamiyar Madam in Kanyakumari
District of Tamilnadu.
History
Long
time ago, Travancore King
Marthanda Varma ran via this place
to save his life and after becoming the King he handed over a copper record of
legal documents as a gift to this temple and was said by the people during his period.
There was no one to maintain this temple for a long period and was lying
dilapidated. In the reason past this temple was well maintained because of the
action taken by the local public and regular worships are taking place.
Legends
It is
believed that Goddess Vana
Durga came all the way from the
dense jungle of Pechiparai and in protection to her God Vana
Sastha and Snakes troops came here
to this place. During every Pournami days we could have a Dharshan of Nagar without fail.
The
Temple
Main
Deities of this Temple are Vana
Sastha and Vana Durga. Other Deities available in this temple are Bala
Ganapati, Nagaraja, Naga
Yakshi, Naga Kanni, Krishna, Eeshvarakala Boothathan. Vana
Sastha, Vana Durga and Bala
Ganapathy are self-manifested in this temple. Here, in
this shrine, Goddess Vana Durga is in the state of Penance, and God
Bala Ganapathy is regaining his original form on his own day by day.
There
are Golden colored snakes, white colored snakes and Cobras are in the forest which is in the
back side of this temple and many have witnessed it long time ago. The
gigantic trees which are surrounding the temple is a vital sign for this
temple's eon. And no one is permitted to go into the forest area which is
behind the temple.
Festivals
During Panguni
Uthram, a festival of five days is grandly celebrated in this temple. In the month of Karthigai Mandala Pooja of 41 days,
Pournami Pooja, Aayilya Pooja are also taking place. During every evenings
Sandhya Pooja is taking place as a Nithya Pooja.
Connectivity
This Temple is situated in the National Highway NH-47 which runs from Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram. The Temple is situated Swamiyar Madam – Verkilambi Road, near the
Kovikal Bridge. The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Swamiyarmadam, 2.5
Kms from Verkilambi, 6 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 11 Kms from Kulasekharam, 15 Kms
from Thirparappu, 7 Kms from Marthandam, 11 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 10 Kms from Thuckalay,
16 Kms from Colachel, 11 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 13 Kms from Eraniel, 22 Kms
from Nagercoil, 28 Kms from Boothapandi, 42 Kms from Kanyakumari and 52 Kms
from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai and
Eraniel. Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.