Kanyakumari District is famous for its beautiful natural spots, tourist attractions, and temples. I’ve been gradually exploring all the cool places of this area and have written about some awesome tourist places like Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thirparappu waterfalls, Muttom Beach, Mathur Aqueduct, Vattakottai Beach, Lemur Beach, and Udayagiri Fort.
But now, I’ve got something really interesting to share that might not be on your radar yet. Even some folks from Kanyakumari aren’t familiar with this hidden gem I’m about to mention—the “Chitharal Rock Jain Temple.”
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple tourist destination also known as malaikovil, is situated in Chitharal village, Kanyakumari district, and it’s super close to Marthandam town – Just 5.9 Km Away. That’s great news for travelers because Marthandam has awesome connections with lots of cities through public transport and its own railway station. So getting to this tourist spot is a piece of cake!
Let’s dive straight into what I discovered, I got there around 10 AM in the morning. The first thing that caught my eye was the ample parking space for cars and bikes – a real plus.
Just a heads-up, there’s a small parking fee to pay. 5 Rs for bikes, 15 Rs for Auto Rickshaws, 40 Rs for cars, 50 Rs for Vans, and 75 Rs for Buses.
After I parked my vehicle, I began walking to the entrance. There, a person with a logbook asks visitors to write their names, phone numbers, and where they’re coming from. After writing these details, I continued walking to explore the destination.
Stone ramp has been constructed from the entrance to the top of the rock where the Chitharal Jain Temple is situated. The walk to the temple is around one kilometer long, providing an exciting trekking adventure. Along the way, there are stone benches where you can take a break and rest as you make your way to the top.
There are rocks on both sides of the path, and as you walk, you can enjoy beautiful views along the way. Teak trees and almond trees are planted on both sides of the path throughout the area. They provide shade during the walk, helping visitors escape from the sun’s heat, especially in the summer. The place is clean and well-maintained, with no litter or plastic in sight.
After walking a short distance, there’s a sign that points to the right side path leading to the Chitharal Rock Jain Temple. However, if you look to the left, there’s a large rock. I noticed a few people heading in that direction, so I decided to see what was there. And oh, it turned out to be an incredible scenic spot. If I had missed it, I would have felt really sorry. I can confidently say that it’s one of the most impressive parts of this place. If you visit, you definitely should take some time to enjoy this breathtaking spot.
After enjoying the wonderful spot for a few minutes, I kept walking in the direction indicated by the signboard. Along the way, I came across a few more beautiful spots, but I didn’t linger for long and eventually reached the destination.
On the path to the temple, there used to be a opening made from strong granite stones. This was constructed long ago to safeguard the temple. Unfortunately, over time, part of it has broken, and now only a section remains, along with a wall-like structure. There’s a little cave to go through, it was really fascinating.
Once you go past the cave, there’s a stone wall adorned with beautifully carved sculptures of the 24 theerthankaras. These sculptures hold special meaning in the Jain religion. Beneath each sculpture, there are inscriptions that acknowledge those who contributed to creating them.
It might be hard to believe, but a thousand years ago, both Hindus and followers of the Jain religion used this place to worship their gods together, without any divisions. There’s also a Bhagavathi Amman temple located very near to the Jain temple.
In front of the temple, there’s a pond that’s truly a delightful sight and adds to the beauty. This pond used to provide water for the temple’s needs. Nowadays, the temple doesn’t have regular worship ceremonies, but visitors can still take a look inside as it’s open to the public.
Close to the Bhagavathi Amman temple, there’s a rock and stones that have inscriptions in Vattezhuthu, an old version of the Tamil language.
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is a calm and historical spot that’s wonderfully adorned by nature’s beauty. It’s a one-of-a-kind place to visit. Great for families, couples, and even kids. Exploring here will give you insights into the history of Jain people and the remarkable sculptures they’ve left behind.
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, every day of the week. Another wonderful aspect of the Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is that you can visit it for free; there’s no entry fee or ticket required.
The nicest times to go are in the morning at 8:00 AM or after 3:30 PM. This lets you fully experience the temple’s ambiance and the stunning views, and you won’t have to worry as much about the sun’s heat.
By Air
The closest airport to Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is about 48.5 kilometers away.
By Road
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is situated quite close to Marthandam bus stand, only about 5.9 kilometers away. If you’re coming from Kanyakumari, it’s around 48.3 kilometers, and from Thiruvananthapuram, it’s about 49.4 kilometers away.
By Train
The closest railway station to reach Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is Kuzhuthurai railway station, and it’s just 5.9 kilometers away.
Tips on Visiting Chitharal Rock Jain Temple
1. Remember to bring some water with you in your bag, as you might feel tired and thirsty while going uphill.
2. Try to schedule your trip between October and February, as these months tend to have less sunny weather.
3. It usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes to go uphill.
4. There are a few shops near the parking area where you can find snacks, juices, and even get your mobile recharged.
5. Using your own vehicle or renting a car is a good idea to ensure you reach the destination on time, as there’s no public transport available to take you all the way there.
6. If you’re looking for hotels to stay near Chitharal Rock Jain Temple, I suggest booking a hotel in Marthandam. It’s the nearest town where you can find all the necessary facilities.
