Mahishasura Mardhini Temple, Valvachagostam,
Kanyakumari
Mahishasura
Mardhini Temple is a Hindu Temple located at Valvachagostam near Palliyadi in
Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The temple is situated amidst Rubber
estates, coconut groves and ponds creating a serene atmosphere.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
Travancore
king Anizham Thirunaal Marthanda Varma had it a practice to place his sword in
front of the Devi here, seek her blessings, before proceeding to any war. Also,
the next heir to the throne comes to this temple, seek her blessings and then
only gets into the coronation ceremony. There is a tunnel that was connecting
this temple to Padmanabhapuram palace. It is not operational now. Even today,
pooja materials and offerings come from the Travancore Palace every month and
also for festivals.
The
Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Mahishasura Mardhini. Devi is in a standing
posture. This is a 7 feet tall stone statue. She looks so gracious,
beautiful and benevolent. She holds a Shanku and Chakra in her upper hands. The
lower hands are a right abhaya mudra hastham and her left hand resting on her
left thigh – a posture named as Kati-bandha. She is said to be the only of her
kind in Tamilnadu.
Unlike
other temples, here only the presiding Devi deity is established. Other deities
are not around, except two small Ganapathy deities with Nagas in the North-west
side. The Mel Shanti and the Tantri roles are done together by one single Mel
Shanti, without any support priest. Shilpa mandapam is of great sculptural
beauty in this temple. The Rathi and Manmathan statue in the entrance looks
beautiful. There are 6 huge pillars (3 per side) in this mandapam, having
Nataraja, Kali, Arjuna, Karna, Indrajit and Lakshmana.
Inscriptions
There
are quite a few inscriptions in this temple, inscribed in Tamil, Grantha,
Sanskrit, Vattezhuthu language forms. The inscription on the south side wall of
the Srikoil says that this temple was constructed in the year AD 1234 by Aranga
Nayagar from a place named Mel-Maruvathur (a place on the NH47 between
Nagercoil and Thuckalay) with the assistance of the Venadu King – Veera Ravi
Kerala Varman. The Mukhamandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum (Srikoil)
was built by Thirivikraman Nampoothiri of Mullamangalam in the year AD 1620.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 5.30 am to10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm.
Festivals
Annual
festival is a 10-day festival in the month of Medam (April /May). Vaikasi
Visakam is also an important celebration here. On the 9th day of Vaikasi Visakam
festival, Devi is decorated by all Aparana (jewels). She goes around the temple
for Palli Vetta (hunting). The idol is taken 7 times around the temple. The bow
and arrow after the ritual is gifted to some devotee. There is no Devi
Aaraattu. 5 days prior to Tirukarthika day in the Vrischikam month (Nov/Dec),
Thiruvonam, Navarathri, Pongala during Pongal (Jan) are the other main
festivals here. Kalabha chaarthu is done on all days in Karthikai month is
famous here.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Samiyar Madam, 2.5 Kms from Samiyarmadam
Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Palliyadi, 7 Kms from Marthandam, 8 Kms from Thiruvattaru,
14 Kms from Kulasekharam, 9.5 Kms from Thuckalay, 12 Kms from Padmanabhapuram, 12
Kms from Kuzhithurai, 15 Kms from Colachel, 24 Kms from Nagercoil, 44 Kms from
Kanyakumari and 53 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Valvachagostam
is situated in the Nagercoil – Trivandrum National Highway (NH47). If coming
from Nagercoil towards Marthandam on NH-47, at Eravipudhurkadai take a left
into Palliyadi road. Travel for 3 km and take a left just before the railway
bridge and the temple is situated at about 1 Km from this place. Nearest
Railway Stations are located at Palliyadi (5 Kms) and Kuzhithurai (7 Kms).
Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram (52 Kms).