CULTURAL HERITAGE AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES: THE ROLE OF PARTHIVAPURAM SREE PARTHASARATHI TEMPLE IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Authors

  • Santhosh Kumar K Reg. No.: 20113151081007, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of History, S.T. Hindu College,Nagercoil. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli-627012, Tamilnadu, India.
  • Dr. K.K. Thanammal Guide & Supervisor, Associate Professor, Department of History, S.T. Hindu College,Nagercoil. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli-627012, Tamilnadu, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i2.2024.3812

Keywords:

Parthivapuram Temple, Kanyakumari, Cultural Heritage, Dravidian Architecture, Festivals, Community Integration

Abstract [English]

In the Kanyakumari district, the Parthivapuram Sree Parthasarathi Temple is a representation of the rich religious and cultural legacy of South India. The temple, which was constructed under the Travancore kings' control, is a striking example of Dravidian architectural genius and the region's surviving spiritual culture. The temple, which is devoted to Lord Krishna, serves as a centre for community involvement and cultural preservation in addition to being a place of worship. This essay explores the temple's artistic and architectural value, historical beginnings, and function in maintaining customary festivals and rituals. It draws attention to the temple's role as a hub for classical dance and music, as well as its role in preserving old texts and promoting intercultural understanding. The socioeconomic effects of the temple are also examined, with a focus on how tourism and religious gatherings affect local livelihoods. The temple faces difficulties in this age of modernisation, including declining support and dangers to its customs. This essay emphasises how crucial it is to protect the Parthivapuram Temple as a living historical monument that represents the fusion of community, art, and spirituality. The temple is a symbol of cultural identity and solidarity in the Kanyakumari area because to its long-standing customs and ceremonies.

References

Tamil Nadu State Archives, Inscriptions of Parthivapuram Temple.

Travancore Devaswom Board, Annual Report (2023).

Ramesh, N., Temples of South India: Art and Architecture.

Pillai, G. P., Travancore History: Society and Culture (2001).

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Velayudhan, S., Festivals of Tamil Nadu and Their Socio-Economic Impact.

Interview with Dr. K. Murugan, Historian specializing in Kanyakumari district, conducted on 15 November 2024.

Krishnan, T. R., "Bhakti Movement and its Influence on South Indian Temples," Indian Historical Review (2019).

Rajaraman, K., The Artistic Traditions of Tamil Nadu Temples.

Deccan Herald, "Reviving Ancient Temples: A Case Study of Parthivapuram" (2023).

Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta, The Culture and History of South India.

Local community records from Parthivapuram Temple archives, accessed October 2024.

"Traditional Dance and Music in Kanyakumari Temples," Journal of Cultural Studies in South India (2021).

National Geographic, "Sacred Spaces of India: Parthivapuram Temple and Its Role in Heritage Preservation" (2022).

Annual Report of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Society (2022).

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Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

K, S. K., & Thanammal, K. (2024). CULTURAL HERITAGE AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES: THE ROLE OF PARTHIVAPURAM SREE PARTHASARATHI TEMPLE IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 5(2), 543–546. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i2.2024.3812