One of the famous religious places to see in Andaman, Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple is located in Port Blair. Attracting a dozen of devotees, this temple is a must visit during the festival season which are celebrated here. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and offers a tranquil respite from usual tourist places to visit in Andaman. There are also other shrines dedicated to other Gods and Goddesses like Ganapathi, Lord Shiva and Parvati at the temple reflecting the strong cultural and religious diversity of the country.
Built in 1926, the temple has many Tamil visitors and celebrates important festivals like Kanda Shashti and Panguni Uthram. It is maintained by by Sri Vetrimalai Murugan, a Tamil businessman and is one of the quintessential places to see in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on your vacation. The temple is built in Dravidian style with many familiarities to Kanda Kottam temple of Chennai, Tamil Nadu and showcases many intricate paintings inside the gopuram.
Highlights: One of the striking features of visiting this temple is to celebrate some famous festivals like Kanda Shashti, Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthram etc. This is when it sees a great influx of devotees and charity works are undertaken at the temple to feed more than 40000 people.
Another highlight of this temple is its Dravidian architectural style which is one of the reasons for its shine even after so many years of standing. There are also many intricate paintings that add to the heritage value of the temple.
Activities: Sightseeing
Distance from Port Blair: The temple is located at a distance of 6 km from the main city.
Timing: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple at Port Blair is the biggest pilgrim site of the Andaman Islands for its spectacular nuances of Dravidian architecture and intricate artwork that leave one spellbound as soon as one steps into the temple arcade. Situated behind the governor place, Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan or Karthikeyan- the son of Lord Shiva who is one of the most revered deities of the Tamil folks. Sri Vetrimalai Murugan pilgrim tour packages are available for supporting tourists who want to witness the historical temple and collect vivid memories of the festivals first hand.
The history of Sri Vetrimalai Murugan temple dates back to the time of pre-independent India which hails as an insignia of India’s rich cultural diversity. The temple was built in 1926 in the Ross Islands by the British rulers to win the loyalty of the Tamilians. Later its venue was shifted to the capital city Port Blair post-independence. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims visit this colossal sanctum to participate in the main festivals-Panguni Uthram, Kanda Shasthi and Thai Poosam. The typical Dravidian architecture and paintings on the interior of the temple resemble those in the Kanda Kotta temple at Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
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Here’s a list of facts that will help you prepare your itineraries for Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple tour:
How to reach Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
Being located centrally to the capital settlement at Port Blair and close to the Cellular Jail, the place has smooth conveyance from all corners of the main city. Check out the two most convenient ways to reach Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple if you have already included the place in your holiday bucket list.
From Port Blair- There are regular plies of auto to the temple complex from Port Blair. You can also hire a cab from the Cellular Jail and reach the precincts of the temple in 20 minutes approximately.
From Havelock Island - It takes about 3 hours via SH4 from Havelock Island to reach Vetrimalai Murugan temple. Ferry service plies to and fro once a day from Port Blair to Havelock Island and is an affordable mode of conveyance. From Port Blair you can take an auto or a cab to reach your destination.
Essential Information
Places to visit near Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
Your Andaman Nicobar tour package is incomplete without exploring the best sightseeing places of the region that include live activities of wild animals, cobalt sea at your footsteps, dense tropical forest and a balmy climate to make your holiday experience memorable and engaging.
Here are some of the best places of sightseeing around Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple:
Mount Harriet and Madhuban Tourist Place
Samudrika Marine Museum
Roman Catholic Church
Red Skin Island
Jogger’s Park
Japanese Bunkers
Things and Activities to do in Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
While preparing your itineraries for Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple in Port Blair, don’t forget to include the activities that are awaiting your bash.
Take a stroll round the temple complex and behold the exquisite Dravidian architecture displayed in the gopuram of the temple. You can also unwind your worries and stress in the embrace of nature by taking a walk in the exterior garden of the temple.
The temple conducts charity works and preparing a gamut meal for approximately 40,000 people is a part of their service. You can witness the grand occasion if you visit the temple during the festive time. If you visit the place during Christmas, you can get to see the Prakash Yatra, a massive candlelight rally of about 6,000 people on the eve of Christmas.
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Places to eat near Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
If you are a diehard foodie and love to tease your taste buds with various lip smacking cuisines, don’t miss out on an opportunity to try the vegetarian and non-vegetarian platters available at the commonplace to plush eateries around the Vetreimalai Murugan temple. These food joints serve platters from different cultures that are worth your try. Here’s a rundown of restaurants for your information:
Waves
Adi Bengali Hotel
Vegan Creek
Punjabi Dhaba
Ananda Restaurant
New Lighthouse Restaurant
Corbyn’s Delight Restaurant
Blue Marlin
Blue Betel Café’
Milan Restaurant
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Places to stay near Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple entices a large number of tourists for its tranquil atmosphere and the myths associated with the holy shrines of the temple. There are a number of accommodations around the temple complex that offer you plush to moderate amenities according to your budget.
Here’s a rundown of places of accommodation from which you can have your best pick:
Andaman Ocean Breeze Homestay
The Lotus Home Hotel
Hotel Royal Palace
Andaman Vacation Home
Downing Home Inn
Coral isle Bed and Breakfast Homestay
Ross View Hotels and Resorts
GKM Grand Hotel
Hotel Sentinel
Blue Bridge Homestay
Feel Good Holiday Home
Grey Stone Shelter
Hotel SKB Lodge
Megapode Resort
The Harriet View
Andaman Castle Bay
Fortune Resort Bay Island- ITC Hotel Group Member
Andaman Shores Homestay
Aashiana Residency Inn
Click here for some amazing resorts in Andaman that will make your stay wonderful during your trip.
Timing to visit Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
Planning to visit Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple in your nest Andaman trip? The place experiences an optimum influx (40,000 approx.) of tourists during the winter months due to the annual event held during December and January.
The opening timings of the temple are every day from 5am-12pm, and 4pm-9pm.
Travellers' Tip before visiting Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
Thousands of spectators across cultural and religious fraternities throng the ancient religious sanctuary complex during the Panguni Uttaram, Kanda Sashti and Thai Poosam festivals to offer prayers. Before you make your itineraries here are a few tips that will make your travel more enjoyable and comfortable:
- Get detailed information about the timing of the major festivals to make the most of your trip to this historical temple.
- The temple being centrally located in Port Blair is swarmed by tourists during the festival time. Prepare your itineraries well ahead of your journey to avoid the rush.
- The peaceful and calm ambiance of the place makes it a major attraction of Andaman trip.
- Visiting the temple in the morning is recommended when it is less crowded and you can stroll around the temple and see the wonderful architecture of various idols and intricate paintings etched on the walls of the gopuram
- There is no entry fee to visit the Vetrimalai Murugan Temple
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