About this Sacred Grove

Thanjakkur Nondikaruppu is a revered guardian deity in Thanjakkur village, Ramanathapuram District, known as the lame Karuppu who never fails in justice and village protection, his tales highlight valor, wisdom and divine intervention in times of need. According to legend, a powerful and vengeful spirit named Kotti Pei had taken residence in the nearby forest, causing harm to villagers, creating disturbances at night, damaging crops and bringing misfortune. The villagers plagued by its malevolence sought Nondikaruppu's help and performed special ritual at His shrine in the grove. Nondikaruppu in his divine form with crutch and aruval descended into the forest where Kotti Pei resided, fought valiantly and after prolonged struggle managed to vanquish and banish the spirit from the land. The villagers celebrated his victory with grand festival expressing gratitude for his protection and bravery, and the story became symbol of His divine power as guardian against evil, the 1.2 ha sacred grove being his powerful abode protected by strong taboo.

Location

Coordinates: 9.3723490, 78.5799220

Plants / Species (3)