Explore Kanniyakumari
Temples in Kanniyakumari
Religious sites and temples to visit in Kanniyakumari
Alappancode Easwara Kala Bhoothathan Temple
Located near Marthandam in Kanyakumari district, the Alappancode Easwara Kala Bhoothathan Temple is an ancient pilgrimage site dedicated to Easwara Kala Bhoothathan, a deity locally revered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple follows Kerala-style architecture and daily rituals. It is the only temple in Tamil Nadu where over 25 caparisoned elephants participate in the annual festival procession, held on the last Saturday of December. The procession covers seven kilometres and draws large crowds from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Bhagavathy Amman Temple
One of the 108 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Kanya Kumari.
Guganathaswamy Temple
Built by King Raja Raja Chola I around 1000 years ago, the Guganathaswamy Temple in Nagercoil is a significant Shiva temple reflecting classic Chola-period architecture. The temple houses 16 stone inscriptions dating from 1038 AD to 1045 AD, making it a valuable site for students of South Indian history and epigraphy. Located conveniently near the Nagercoil railway station, it is a peaceful and historically rich stop for devotees and heritage travellers visiting the Kanyakumari district.
Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil
One of the most significant temples in Kanyakumari district, the Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil is dedicated to the five-headed serpent king Nagaraja. The town itself takes its name from this temple, with Nagercoil meaning temple of the Nagas. Likely pre-12th century in origin, it originally functioned as a Jain shrine, as evidenced by Tirthankara images still visible on the mandapam pillars. The sanctum retains its distinctive thatched roof and sand floor. The sand offered as prasadam is believed to cure skin ailments.
Suchindram Temple
Known for its musical pillars and the unique Trinity deity.
Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple
A 9th-century rock-cut cave temple hewn from a granite hillside near Kulasekaram, Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is one of the oldest religious sites in Kanyakumari district and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to have originally served as a Jain monastery before its conversion. The interior retains four Tamil inscriptions and rare early examples of Kerala-style mural paintings depicting Ganesha and Narasimha. It is the fourth among the 12 Sivalayam temples of Kanyakumari district.
Thiruvattar Adikesava Perumal Temple
One of the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavism, the Adikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattar is believed to be over 2,500 years old. Lord Vishnu reclines here as Adikesava on the serpent Adiseshan, viewed through three successive doors, and is considered older than the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, with which it shares deep ritual connections. The temple is surrounded on three sides by the Kothai, Pahrali, and Thamirabarani rivers. The single-stone Otraikkal Mandapam inside is considered an architectural marvel.