அருள்மிகு சிதறால் பகவதி திருக்கோயில் 

திருசரண் மலை, சிதறால், விளவங்கோடு தாலுகா

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Location Map

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The Chitharal Jain Monuments and Kanyakumari Devaswom Board’s Bhadrakali Amman Temples are located in a small village situated at a distance of 7 km from Marthandam and 55 km from Kanyakumari. Chitharal is historically known as Thirucharanathupalli – the abode of Jain monks belonging to Digambara sect. It is famous for the hillock which has a cave containing rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to the 9th century. Jain influence in this region was due to the Jain King Mahendra Verman-I (610-640).It was converted into a Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Chitharal hills are locally called Chokkanthoongi Hills. Now this place is famous as Malaikoil. The temple is a protected monument under Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Plenty of visitors visits and enjoy the beauty of Chitharal hill and cave temple. Visit the place as a pilgrim not as a tourist.There are 9 stone inscriptions in Tamil vattezheutthu, sanskrit and Malayalam dating back to 9th Century A.D.

Chitharal- A small village located 55km away from Kanyakumari. The place is well-known for its hillocks and ancient Jain Temples. These temples of Jain Deities’ which were considered to be built in 9th century AD, and these sculptures are the main attraction in Chitharal. Also these sculptures are historically known as Thirucharanathupalli, and are situated inside the caves on a very long Hill.

At the foot of the Thirucharanmalai hillock, one can see a stylish Kerala Style Arch made of rocks and is the starting point of your Trek. The atmosphere and the indications at the foot will not give you any indication of a Hard Climb ahead. So be prepared for a hard steep climb of a 800 meters.It will be better, if you select a day with sun is not too sharp. All over the trekking time one can see several cement benches to sit, but the hottest sun will not allow you to sit on them. Colorful flowers and some trees with red and yellow flowers around these benches complets the picturesque.

Now, a question will arise in you, why we suffer all these…? The answer is, after these steep climb you are going to another era. Because, Chitharal is one of the last few vestiges of Jainism. Some years before, this rock shrine was a pilgrim center for the Jains’.Around the period of the decline of Jainism during the rule of the Cholas in the 11th Century, it is believed that Chandragupta Maurya, along with a Jain ascetic Badrabhahu, reached Sravanabelagola in 298 BC. Their disciples travelled to this region to spread Jainism and chose the hillock for meditation. It was, however, converted into a Hindu temple in 1250A.D., and an image of Bhagavathy was installed.

Attractions in Chitharal Chitharal is a small located at a distance of 7 km from Marthandam and 55km from Kanyakumari. The place is known for its hillocks with rock out sculptures of Jain Thirthankaras. Jain deities’ temples are another marvelous attraction in Chitharal. It is believed that these sculptures were built in the ninth century and was historically known as Thirucharanathupalli. The sculptures are present inside the caves on the one and half long hill. The stretch has steps leading to the hilltop.

The top hill, thus named, Thirucharanmalai, means `the hill holy to the charanas’.When you reach the top of the hill, you can see or feel the enchanting beauty of Chitharal. The cave which made Chitharal more famous, is also a natural beauty to explore…!

From the top, one can see or enjoy the beauty of winding rivers, lakes, fields, clusters of villages, coconut fields, tall church spires, and the lines of Western Ghat covered with white clouds; and is a mind blowing scenery, which you won’t get from anywhere.Another main attraction at the top hill is two large rocks facing each other, and one can explore whole beauty of the foot through the small window created by these rocks. Also at the top hill, one can see some ruined or parts of ancient temples, which is believed to be of Charanas. The whole rocky area is carved with Jain deities’ images and is also a part of ancient era.

How to get there: Chitharal (also spelt Chidaral) is 55km from Kanyakumari, 36km from Nagercoil and 7km from Marthandam. The approach road is from Kandapuram, leading to Elanthavilas. Chitharal is located exactly 4km North East of Kuzhithurai. The district administration is busy giving the place a face lift. Many tourists have begun visiting the spot to catch a glimpse of the frescos and the panoramic view of the hills. So please don’t miss the ancient beauty, while planning a trip to KanyaKumari…! Chitharal is a small located at a distance of 7 km from Marthandam and 55km from Kanyakumari. The place is known for its hillocks with rock out sculptures of Jain Thirthankaras.

Chitral is a village situated about 4kms to the north east of Kulitturai in Kanyakumari district. This village stands the small rocky hill called the Triuchcharanattu malai This is a complex of two monuments. The earlier one is a rock-cut Jaina structure having beds with inscriptions and drip-ledges, which constitute the earliest Jaina art vestiges of the southern most part of peninsular India. These monuments date from first century B.C. to sixth century A.D. The Jaina reliefs may represent the later phase.

The Bhagavati temple was added during the early medieval period. The inscription on the southern side is written in Vatteluthu characters and in Tamil language. It belongs to the 28 th year of the reign of the Vikramaditya Varaguna Pandya. It records that Gunandagi- kurattigal the disciple of Arattanemi- bhatara of Peravakkudi gave some golden ornaments to ‘ Bhataraiyar ‘ of the Tiruchchanam malai.

An inscription engraved on the mandapa is written in Tamil characters dated to 475 K E ( 1300 AD ), states that one Narayanan, Tamil appalla Varaiyan of Rajavallapuram in the Kil Vembanadu gave some money for the expense of Bhagavati temple. The site is a centrally protected monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India since 1964.

ASI Thrissur Circle

Head Office

MS. SMITHA S KUMAR

The Superintending Archaeologist (incharge)

Archaeological Survey Of India,
Thrissur Circle, Puratattva Bhavan,
FF / 19A – K. S. H. B Flats, Pullazhi PO, Thrissur Circle, Kerala. 

Phone: +91 487 2365616.
Fax: +91 487 2360112.
Email : circlethr.asi@gmail.com

E-mail: circlethrissur.asi@gov.in

web:http://www.asithrissurcircle.in/

RTI -PIO : SHRI. RAJAN K. P 
Assistant Superintending Archaeological Engineer,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Puratattva Bhavan, FF 19 (A), K.S.H.B Flats,
Block No-3,Pullazhy P.O, Thrissur 680 012.

RTI -APPELLATE : Ms. SMITHA S KUMAR,
Deputy Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Puratattva Bhavan, FF 19 (A), K.S.H.B Flats,
Block No-3,Pullazhy P.O, Thrissur 680 012.

Trivandrum Subcircle

The Conservation Assistant,
Archaeological Survey Of India, Trivandrum Sub Circle,
Block #1, Flat # 101 & 102,
KSHB Flats, EMS Nagar,
Vanchiyoor PO, Pin: 695035,
Trivandrum, Kerala.Phone:+91 471 2306541/46