Arulmigu Boothalinga Swamy - Sivagami Ambal Temple — Attraction in Thovalai

Bhoothalingaswamy Temple is at Boothapandi. Boothapandi is the headquarters of Thovalai taluk in Kanyakumari District, India. It is 7 km (4.3 mi) north east of Nagercoil. The village sits on the western bank of the river Pazhaiyar, at the foot of the hill known as Thadakaimalai which is considered to be the abode of Thadakai in the Ramayana. It forms a place of legendary importance.

The Travancore Manual says that Bhoothapandi is an ancient place founded by one of the pandya sovereigns and vague traditions are preserved in the Keralopatti and Kerala Mahamiyam wherein the Pandiya invasion of Keral if referred to in a mythical form.

The Mahatmiyam says that the Pandyas invaded Kerala with an army of Bhuthatans (spirits) and they were defeated by Parasurama, the warrior sage. The boundary of Kerala and Pandya kingdoms was fixed at Bhoothapandy as a compromise. A later interpretation brought to bear upon the Parasurama legend is that it is an allegoric representation of the advent of the Aryans into Kerala.

The temple was constructed by the King Pasum Pon Pandyan who is the son of Boothapandiyan.

The Suampu lingam lord of sanctuary's other name is Salian Kanda Thirumani. In the 17th century Saliar caste peoples lived in the town. A member of the community was worried that his cow was being milked by some unknown person. One day he followed the cow and discovered it discharging milk on a bush. Enraged at this he destroyed the bush where he found a stone idol. He slashed the idol and found it bleeding. So they decided to construct a temple for the stone idol[Lord Siva] so this lord of sanctuary is called Salian...

√•....It's a One of the Above "500 years" Ancient "RockCut Shivan" Temple is Placed on Boothapandi. √•...In, this Temple is Situated on Center of the Boothapandi Village & Eastern Slope of the Hillocks of Thadakai (Hill) Malai. √•....Here, Also Konwn as 'Main Deity' of "Boothalinga Swamy" is called to 'Salian Kanda Thirumani" in Locally. √•....In, this "Thadagai Hill" History is Related of Epic Ramayana. √•....Inside, the Temple also have Ganapathi, Murugan, Sastha, Thakshinamoorthi, Sandikeshwarar Deities here. √•....The Temple is Totally Surrounding from Four Way Entrances. In, Two Entrances on the South Wall. √•....The Western Side is have "3 Story" of Main Tower Entrance here. √•....The Top of the Hill have a 'Milking Cow' with 'Shivalingh' and Lord Shiva with trident. √•....The Eastern Entrance is Placed on Before the Sanctum of the "Main Deity". √•....Famous of here - In, Tamil Month of Chitirai & Thai 'Car Festival' is Celebrated here. √•....In, Southern Entrance have near Famous of the Kumari River of Pazhaiyaru. √•....The Northern Entrance side on Near have Temple Tank with Center...

The sculptures in some of the pillars are in a pathetic condition. Atleast the other pillars should be saved. It is not possible to go around the temple. This temple sits on the western bank of the river Pazhaiyar, at the foot of the hill known as Thadakaimalai, considered to be the abode of Thadagai in the Ramayana. It forms a place of legendary importance. The presiding deity is called Bhoothalingaswamy. Goddess name is...