India is known for its tradition and culture. Kanyakumari is the land of heritage surrounded by beautiful beaches and monuments. There are thousands of visitors especially, from foreign lands, to visit Kanyakumari every year. However, Kanyakumari is known for its various religious festivals and cultural events. If you are visiting Kanyakumari during these festivals, you can feel the fun and enthusiasm in the atmosphere everywhere. You can even find the hotels in Kanyakumari with tariff during these times. Hence, Kanyakumari is the must-visit place to get along with locals to know about their traditions. However, there are so many festivals, and each happens at different times of the month. So, let us see the various events and festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari and the suitable time for your visit.
Kumari Thiruvizha:
It is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari. This festival is celebrated in the Kumari Amman Temple located in Kanyakumari and is held every year in May. It is believed that the spine and right shoulder of Goddess Parvati fell in this place during her self-destruction. It is also believed that the Goddess in this temple is the incarnation of Goddess Bhadrakali. So, flocks of people come to this temple during the new-moon day to worship and receive the blessings from the Goddess. During the full-moon day and Navaratri, the musicians perform in the Navarathri Mandapam located within the temple. It is a nine-day festival, and most of the devotees choose to stay in hotels at Kanyakumari till it gets over.
Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple:
The Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple is located in Kanyakumari and is also known as “Women’s Sabarimala.” The specialty of this temple is it is located in a den. The face of the Goddess in this temple is made of sandalwood and placed 15 feet high on top of the den. The women especially from Kerala fast for 41 days visit this temple by carrying “irumudi kettu” on their heads. Hence, the name was given as “Women’s Sabarimala.” The Mandaikadu festival is celebrated in March. So, if you are visiting this temple during this time, make sure to do hotel booking in Kanyakumari in advance to avoid unwanted stress.
Other festivals:
The locals in Kanyakumari also celebrate festivals like Masi Festival, Valiya Padukkai, Odukku Pooja, Ettam Kodai, and Bharani Kodai. These festivals are also celebrated in Mandaikadu Temple at different months. For example, the Masi festival is celebrated on the last Tuesday of the Tamil month “Masi” for ten days by worshiping, chanting, and followed by a procession around the temple.
The Valiya Padukkai and Odukku Pooja are associated with the main Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple festival and celebrated on the sixth and tenth day of the festival. These two festivals are done late at night or early morning.
The last Bharani Kodai is celebrated during the Tamil month of “Panguni” and the people here believe that the goddess “Mandaikadu” was born on this day.
While visiting Kanyakumari for these festivals check on Hotel Temple Citi – the best hotels in Kanyakumari near beach for a comfortable and affordable stay.
