Thirunanthikarai

Thirunanthikarai is a village situated in Thirparappu panchayath, Kanyakumaridistrict of Tamil nadu. This village comes under Kulasekharam (629161) post office and located in kulasekharam pechiparai road. Natural rubber production and tapping is the Main revenue source of people of this area. Many of the youths of this area works in Gulf countries supports this village very much.80% of people are malayalam speaking 20% are of Tamil Speaking. Tradition and custom of people are similar to the people of Kerala. Thirunanthikarai Nanthishwaran temple, Thirunanthikarai Cave temple, PeedavilaiMutharammantemple, Harrispuram CSI Church Ayyavazhithangal are the important worshipping places of here. ThirunanthiKarai Govt school is the only school available. Thirunanthikarai agricultural co-operative Bank and Nethaji Memmorial library runs with aid from government of Tamilnadu serves people of this area.Thirunanthikarai Pond is the major water source which maintains ground water level of this area through out the year with water from pechiparai dam. Thirunanthikarai is well connected to nearby town Kulasekharam 3km away.Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is definitely one of the hundreds of temples that are found in the southern most region of India. Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is a very ancient temple that is a symbolic pillar of Indian religion and culture. There are many sculptures inside the temple which are extinct now. The Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is one of the founding stones of the Jainism region. Currently the Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is under the purview and care of Archeological Survey of IndiaOn the bank of river Nandhi aaru stand the temple of the Siva. Which is the fourth temple of the Sivalayam. The conical vimanam of the temple reflect the Kerala art and Architecture. There is also a temple of Vishnu facing Siva. In the northern side of this Sivalayam, there stands an a rock cut cave temple and this one is an ancient one, and probably, up to the ninth century AD, it belonged to the Jains. In the tenth century AD, during the reign of Raja Raja Chozha, they kept a Siva lingam there.According to research, in 1003 AD, King Raja Raja Chola celebrated his birthday there. He conquered Muttom, and named Mummudi Chola Nalloor as stated in the stone carvings available in the temple. An ascetic named Veeranandi came from Thirunarunkondai Melappalli and stayed there and preached Jainism it seems.This took place in the eighth century AD and carved this a rock cut cave temple. That is why the river is called the Nandhi aaru, and the place of the temple is Thirunanthikarai. Many of the sculptures in these temples are extinct and the remains bear witness to this. Now this temple is under the care of Archaeological Survey of India.Peedavilai Mutharamman Temple is the Devi temple which owns years of tradition. It is renovated in May 2002 and annual festival is conducted with participation from people of all religions. Peedavilai Mutharamman Temple is one of the temple where people can worship and make their offerings without any restrictions of caste creed Religion and community.