Kattalai Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple situated in Kanyakumari District at the southern part of Tamilnadu, India. The temple is located in the picturesque village, surrounded by mountains and canals. The temple was known originally as “Kandan Sasthankoil”. The Temple is situated in Perumchilampu area of Velimalai village, Kalkulam taluka in Kanyakumari district of South Tamilnadu. It is situated near the historic Padmanabhapuram town.
 

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History 

Although the exact origins of the temple are not known, it is believed the temple was worshipped for more than 500 years. The Nagaramman (The Snake goddess) temple and the centre lamp post are the only structures remaining from the original temple. You can also find broken remains of baked mud statues around the temple. These remains tell us that the temple was famous and worshipped by many devotees during those days.

During the initial days, the whole area was covered with wild bushes and trees. Devotees have to make way through the bushes to reach the temple. The Nagaramman temple itself was fully covered with bushes. Later the complex was cleared of these bushes.
 

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Mythology

The exact origins of the temple are not known, it is believed the temple was worshipped for more than 500 years. The Nagaramman temple and the centre lamp post are the only structures remaining from the original temple. You can also find broken remains of baked mud statues around the temple. These remains tell us that the temple was famous and worshipped by many devotees during those days.

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The Temple Architecture

The Temple complex consists of the main campus which houses the main deities and the area surrounded. The surrounding areas also has bases for some deities and also the sacred temple spring water (ootrukuzhi) where year round fresh water flows, the temple pond and rocks and trees. The pond is also known as irumbittan kulam. Legend is that iron was melted and poured into this pond. The temple is currently maintained by the Elur Chetty community.
 

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 Festival

The current temple complex was built in 1981 and the first Amman Kudai Vizha (annual celebration of the Devi) was conducted on 9th November 1981 (24th Aippasi 1157 of Tamil Calendar). The star (Nakshatra) on this auspicious day was Revatī. There after every year annual celebration is conducted on Aippasi month on the day of Revatī nakshatra. Currently there are three main building for the temple. The renovated Nagaramman temple, the 1981 built Amman Temple and the later build “Shiva Maadan” temple which also houses the deity “Boothathan”.
 

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