Thirucharanathumalai

Historic site in Kanyakumari, India

8°07′30″N 77°33′54″E / 8.125°N 77.565°E / 8.125; 77.565

Thirucharanathumalai (Tiruchchāraṇattumalai) is a hillock located in Chitharal village 6 km (3.7 mi) from Marthandam, and 55 km (34 mi) from Kanyakumari. Tiruchchāraṇattumalai, which means 'holy hill of the Chāraṇas', derives its name on account of its association with the Chāraṇas, a class of sages who had attained mastery over nature. It was originally a Jaina place of worship and assembly centre.^[1]

On the top of the hill under a path that seems naturally hanging there in a temple with mandapam, corridor and balipeetam with a madappalli (kitchen). There are 3 sanctums housing Mahavira, Parswanatha and Padmavathi Devi. The idol of Bagavathi was installed instead of Padmavathi Devi by Sri Moolam Thirunal, king of Travancore in 1913. Above the hanging path, there is a dilapidated tower on a rock on the northern side. Bas-relief sculptures of all the 24 Tirthankaras are found. Some inscriptions belonging to the 9th century are also found here. It was a Jain training centre for both males and females in those days.^[2]

References

^ Desai, Pandurang Bhimarao (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Gulabchand Hirachand Doshi [for] Jaina Saṁskṛti Saṁrakshaka Sangha.
^ "Bagawati Temple (Chitral)". Thrissur Circle, Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2017.

Kanyakumari district

History

Travancore
Battle of Colachel
Travancore–Cochin

Administration

Taluks	Agastheeswaram Kallkkulam Thovalai Vilavancode

Blocks	Agastheeswaram Killiyoor Kurunthancode Melpuram Munchirai Rajakkamangalam Thiruvattar Thovalai Thuckalay

Municipalities	Colachel Kuzhithura Nagercoil Padmanabhapuram

Town panchayats	Agastheeswaram Aloor Anjugramam Aralvaimozhi Arumanai Asaripallam Attoor Azhagappapuram Azhagiapandiapuram Boothapandi Edaikodu Eraniel Ezhudesam Ganapathipuram Kadayal Kaliyakkavilai Kallukuttam Kanyakumari Kappiyarai Karungal Keezhkulam Killiyur Kodimunai Kollancode Kothinallur Kottaram Kulasekaram Kumarapuram Manavalakurichi Mandaikadu Marthandam Marungoor Mulagumudu Myladi Nallur Neiyyur Pacode Palapallam Pazhugal Ponmanai Puthalam Pudukadai Reethapuram South Thamaraikulam Suchindram Thalakudi Thengampudur Theroor Thingalnagar Thirparappu Thiruvattar Thiruvithamcode Unnamalaikadai Valvaithankoshtam Vellimalai Verkilambi Vilavoor Villukuri

Town
panchayats

Revenue divisions	Nagercoil Padmanabhapuram

Religious sites

Tourism

Education

Colleges	Cape Institute of Technology Bishop Agniswamy College of Education CSI Institute of Technology Malankara Catholic College Nesamony Memorial Christian College Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education Ponjesly College of Engineering Scott Christian College S.T. Hindu College St. Xavier's College of Engineering Amrita College of Engineering & Technology University College of Engineering,Nagercoil

Colleges