Swamithoppe

The Palliyarai of Swamithope Pathi -

Swamithoppe (alternate spelling Swamithope) is a town that lies southeast of the City of Nagercoil and the capital of the Kanyakumari|District of Kanyakumari in the State of Tamil Nadu, at the extreme southern tip of India. Swamithope lies about half-way between the cities of Nagercoil and Kanniyakumari on the Nagercoil-Kanniyakumari road. It also lies 8 kilometers (5 mi) north-west of Cape Comerin.

Swamithoppu is a synonym for this town, as used in the holy book, Akilathirattu Ammanai of the Ayyavazhi religion. Swamithoppu is the name earned by the village Tamarikulam being the origin of the Ayyavazhi religion in the mid-nineteenth century.

Swamithoppe is also the home for the Swamithope Pathi and the religious head-quarters of Ayyavazhi religion. Also this is one of the most important pilgrim centers of Ayyavazhi which attracts huge crowd from all over the nation.

Travel to Swamithoppe

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Swamithoppe

• Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in the neighboring state Kerala, is the nearest international airport, with direct connecting Flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives and Sri Lanka. And is served by Air-India, among others. From there two hour Train or Bus.
• or you can reach Chennai the state capital and catch Train or Bus.
• Alternatively reach Cochin|Kochi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Kolkata and then continue by train.

By Train

For people coming from Trivandrum, Madurai, Coimbatore or Chennai, convenient trains are available to reach Nagercoil. If one arrives at the Nagercoil train station, taxis are available at the station to travel to Swamithope.

By Bus

From Nagercoil, town buses are available (route numbers 34, 2, 1-D); alternatively, visitors can use auto or taxi as well. If someone is already staying in Kanyakumari, it is best travel to Swamithope by taxi or by Bus (about 10 kilometers/6 mi).

How to get around in Swamithoppe

Getting around Swamithoppe is easy. There are public transport buses, auto rickshaws and taxis available in plenty.

• Auto Rickshaws - Don't go by the meter. It's better to negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand.
• Tourist Cabs - Are the best choice in case you want to tour the locations around Swamithoppe. Drivers don't follow a fixed method for charging. But its wise to negotiate at least the rates that are applicable in Kanyakumari and Nagercoil.

What to see in Swamithoppe

The temple preserves some articles believed to have been used by Ayya Vaikundar, including a rattan cane (perampu) and a pair of wooden sandals. The Palliyarai is surrounded by inner corridors.

There is a 16.7 m (55 ft) tall flag mast at a distance of 15 m (50 ft) from Palliyarai. And in north of flag mast there is an Unpanpurai. Here and they cook the food and distribute it to the devotees.

Muttirikkinaru - The historical well is situated some 300 meters (980 ft) from the main Pathi. This was the first well in this part of the sub-continent where all castes are allowed freely to use the water during mid-nineteenth century. It was considered sacred to bathe in and to drink the water from that well.

Paal Kinaru - The well situated in the extreme east of the main Pathi. It was from this well the water (the holy Patham) for ritual usage for the Pathi is fetched off.

Vatakku Vasal - in the north of the main Pathi, is the historical cite where Ayya Vaikundar carried out his six year penance. There is a bell tower above the spot where Vaikundar performed the Tavam.

Marunthuvazh Malai - A medicinal hill located 3 kilometers (1.8 mi) north-east to Swamithoppe pathi which has a long traditional background. This site is also historically associated with the incarnational activities of Vaikundar. Ayyavazhis consider this hill sacred and treat it with high religious importance. Location of Pancha Pathi - The Location of Ayyavazhi sacred-sites

Mutta pathi - The place is located 2 kilometers (1 mi) north-east to Kanyakumari. This is a Ayyavazhi holy site from the event that Ayya Vaikundar conducted the Thuvayal-Thavasu to train the devotees to be strict Vegetarian, to eat only once a day (raw Rice and green gram), to wash clothes three time a day and lead a holy life. The sea near this site is traditionally called the 'milk-ocean'. This is the sea where Lord Vaikundar plunged into to get the Vinchai.

Thamarakulam pathi - This is the birth place of Ari Gopalan (Hari Gopalan) who was also called Sahadevan by Ayya Vaikundar. Ari Gopalan was instrumented by Ayya to write Akilathirattu and the holy book Ayyavazhi. This place is located 3 kilometers from Swamithoppe.

Ambala pathi - In this place, located 4 kilometers west to Manakkudy, Ayya Vaikundar manifesting himself as Lord Siva, assumed the powers of Goddess Bhagavathi, Lord Karthikeya, Valli, Theivayanai and also Lord Brahma. Every year, vehicle festivals are conducted and vahanas are used to carry Ayya Vaikundar around.

Poo pathi - This is the site where Ayya unifyied into himself Poomadanthai, who was the manifestation of the Bhoomadevi and the 'Earth Goddess'. It is located 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) west to Ambala pathi.

What to Do

There is a specific dress code that men have to follow. It is forbidden for gents to wear any shirt or baniyan (above the waist) when they enter the Pathi and they are expected to wear a thalaippagai (a towel on the head) while entering the temple. Though the preferred dress for men is white dhoti, if this is not available, a pair of trousers is acceptable. One should not go to the temple if he or she has taken any non-vegetarian food on that day.

On all days the temple is open for worship. The preferred procedure is to have a holy bath in the Muttiri kinaru (holy well) and then have a worship. This is a must if one wants to come around the Palliarai (the sanctum sanctorium) of the Pathi. After having the holy bath, devotees chant the Maha manthra "Ayya Siva Siva Siva Siva Arahara Arahara" and worship first in the Vadakku Vasal (where Ayya did the penance for six years). Then people have the worship of the kodimaram (flag mast) and then come around the outer corridor five times chanting the mahamanthra and then enter into the Pathi. If one wants to go and have a close dharshan of Ayya in front of the sanctum sanctorium and they should take permission from the Payyans who is giving Namam to the devotees.

The palli arai (the moolasthanam) will be closed for short durations when preparations are being made for special prayer sessions like Uga padippu or Uchchi padippu, depending on the time of the day. Otherwise the temple is open for dharshan from 6 AM to 8 PM.

While in the temple, devotees are either expected to observe silence or chant the Maha manthra "Ayya Siva Siva Siva Siva Arahara Arahara" and not to indulge in any conversations.

Festivals

Swamithoppe Car festival - The Ayya Vaikunda Avataram procession

The temple is usually crowded during the three major festivals every year and the Tamil month Masi 20 and the famous festival for Ayya's incarnational day (Ayya Vaikunda Avatharam). There is a reasonable number of devotees attending prayers every Sunday for Uchchi padippu (noon session), but the crowd is much bigger on the first Sunday of every Tamil month. However and there is prayer in the temple at least thrice a day, everyday.

If someone wants to take something to the temple while going for prayer and they can offer fresh fruits, fresh flowers (flowers of the day), coconuts or tender coconuts.

Ayya Vaikunda Avatharam - The incarnational day of Ayya Vaikundar from the sea at Tiruchendur. This is the most important festival of Ayyavazhi and on this day the celebrations in Swamithoppe is considered with high religious importance. Though it was celebrated with processions all over Tamil Nadu, its celebrations are in grand scale in the south. Two processions, one from Tiruchendur, connected with the incarnation of Vaikundar, and another from Thiruvananthapuram, noting the release of Vaikundar unifies at Nagercoil and proceed towards Swamithoppe and the geographical focus point of Ayyavazhi.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Swamithoppe

• A copy of Akilattirattu Ammanai - The primary scripture of Ayyavazhi.
• A copy of Arul Nool - The secondary scripture
• Audio cassettes and CDs contains Ayyavazhi devotional songs, Prayers, Speeches etc.
• Ayyavazhi based Journals, books, Biography of Vaikundar, News papers, calendars etc available in Tamil, English and Malayalam.
• Rudrakshas, key chains, dollars, ornaments, Stickers, Framed and unframed wallpapers with Ayyavazhi symbol and Ayyavazhi related images and photos printed on them.
• Hand-made bags, hand-kerchiefs, sea shell-ornaments, desk top decorations, etc.

Halal Restaurants in Swamithoppe

• Aapam
• Ven Pongal
• Lemon Rice
• Iddly
• Curd Rice
• Rasam
• Murukku
• Adhirasam
• Bajji
• Vetral Kuzhambu

Ritual foods

• Umpa Annam
• Paal Annam
• Nithiya Paal
• Thavanai Paal
• Neamisa Annam
• Chukku Paal

Note:-The ritual foods are offered in the Pathi and are restricted to ritual limits.

• Tender coconut
• Sugarcane juice
• Lemon Juice
• Tea
• Coffee
• Chilled Butter milk

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Swamithoppe

Swamithoppe - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Swamithoppe, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swamithoppe. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Swamithoppe and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Swamithoppe. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Swamithoppe. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSwamithoppe: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Swamithoppe.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Swamithoppe: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Swamithoppe, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Swamithoppe.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Swamithoppe, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Swamithoppe, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Swamithoppe and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Swamithoppe, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Swamithoppe, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Swamithoppe without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swamithoppe is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Swamithoppe.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Swamithoppe is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Swamithoppe, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Swamithoppe Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

This being a small town contains only a few lodging facility, though traditional Vegetarian South Indian food is available in small restaurants located near the temple.

The town nearby to stay is Nagercoil or Kanyakumari, though it would be better to stay in Nagercoil due to reasonable costs and varieties of facilities available there.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Swamithoppe

• Kanyakumari - The place where the great saint Swami Vivekananda Penanced, and where the temple for Devi Kanya located.

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