St. Arockiya Nathar Church, Vavathurai

St. Arockiya Nathar Church
File:Arokiyanathar Alayam.JPG
Country	India
Denomination	Catholic Church
History
Founder(s)	Rev. Fr. Joseph
Architecture
Architect(s)	Pakiam Pillai
Style	Gothic Revival
Clergy
Priest(s)	Rev. FR. John Jore Henson.

Kumaracoil, also called "Kumara Shethram" and "Subramania Sthala" in Malayalam language "Thiruvergam" in ancient Tamil scripts is at the foot of the Velimalai Hills also known as "Velvi Malai". The temple there is dedicated to Lord Muruga also known as Lord Subramania. Legends have it that Lord Muruga is the cosmic son of Lord Shiva. created by Shivas third eye. He was created to destroy three demons who were a source of misery to the Devas. Lord Muruga has two consorts, Devanai and Valli. Devanai the first consort was married at Thiruparankuntrum near Madurai. There the Lord is with Devanai alone. Valli the second consort of the Lord was married at Velimalai or Velvi Malai. The Lord is with Valli alone at Kumara Shethram or Kumara Koil. The temple there is considered to be one of the six "Padai veedu" of Lord Muruga. The ancient poetry "Thirumurugattu Padai" written by poet Nakkeerar refesrs to the place unique in the sense that the devotees there wear only wet clothes only in the lower part of their body and enter the temple with flowers to have a darshan. This unique feature of worship is being followed there at Kumaran Koil till date. The Tamil epic "Silappathykaram" written by Illangovadigal refers four shetras as Padai veedu of Lors Murugan. They are Senthil, Kongu Nattu Shengodu, Chola Nattu Venguntu and Chera Nattu Eragam (Thiru Eragam). These evidences and the Places connected with Valli viz, Valliyoor. Valli Aaru (river), Valli Kugai in the hill top. Kilavan Cholai, connected with the disguised form as an old man enacted by Lord Muruga, Valli Cholai, Uravar Padukalam, connected with the war waged by the relatives of Valli against Lord Muruga, the Vengai tree etc. are in and around Veli Malai are evidences that the marriage of Lord Muruga with Valli took place at Valli Malai. Therefore it is natural that the two marriage places are within the ambit of the Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Therefore Kumaran Koil is a religious important place for the Hindus. The temple is built on the foot hills of Veli Malai where Lord Muruga enactead a drama to win the heart of Valli the daughter of Nambi Arasan, a chieftain ruled over the place. The temple faces east and can be reached by a flight of thirty eight steps. The statue of Muruga is eight feet eight inches in height. Apart from Valli sametha Murugan sannithanam, sannithanams are dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahadevar). Parvathy (Shivakami Ammai), Kalyana Vinayagar, Shree Dharma Sastha, Ilaya Naynar, Arumuga Nayinar, etc. The unique feature is that there is a Sannithanam dedicated to the maternal grand faather of Lord Muruga, Dhakshan. The place could be reached by road from Nagercoil (15 kilameters) and Thuckalay (3 Kilometers). Bus facilities are available.

The other places of historical importance around Thickalay are, Padmanabhapuram Palace from where the Trivancore Kings ruled the erstwhile Trivancore State. The Puliyurkurichi Fort where many a battle had been fought in the past.

St. Arockia Nathar Church is a Catholic church located in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India.

This church stands on the sea shore of Kanyakumari. This church was inaugurated in the year 2010 by Bishop Most Rev. Peter Remigius, D.D., the present Bishop of Kottar. This church is a sub-station of Puthugramam Parish. It was divided from Kanyakumari Parish in 2001. The Parish was created by then Bishop Most Rev. Leon. The First Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. F. Devdass, from that time onwards it became an independent parish. Under the Parish there were three substations, namely Anjukuduvilai, Siluvai Nagar and Vavathurai. In 2009 the Anjukuduvilai went back to Kanyakumari Parish.

The Vavathurai Church is dedicated to St. Arockiya Nathar (St. Roach). Arockiya Nathar means one who always saves from sickness and gives good health. Truly a beautiful structure, the church looks gorgeous because it stands on the sea shore with a background of bluish sky. The parish is populated predominantly by local fishing folks. Mass is always held in the regional language Tamil.

Photo Gallery : Kanyakumari and Around

• Kanyakumari and Places Around
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  St.Arockiya Nathar Church Tower

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  St.Arockiya Nathar Church Altar

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  St.Arockiya Nathar

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  St.Michael's Statue of the Church

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  Old St.Arockiya Nathar Church Altar

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  St.Arockiya Nathar's Car

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  View of Vivekananda Rock Memorial from the Church

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  Sun Rise

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  Sun Rise