Aralvaimozhi is my native place. This place is surrounded by a beautiful, scenic natural landscape. I can proudly say that my birthplace has a well known history and geographical background. It is basically a Panchayat town in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
Aralvaimozhi is located near the Muppandal wind farm. This farm is the largest in Asia and supplies the villagers with electricity for work. It is well known for being the greatest source of wind energy in Asia. These wind farms generates about 450 MW of electricity. Aralvaimozhi is also famous for a Catholic church located in the hill of Kattadimalai where Devasahayam Pillai was martyred.
Aralvaimozhi is one of the two passes through the Western Ghats which leads to the West and many of the invasions faced by the Chera and the successor kingdoms came via the ghat. The name “Aral” was derived as it had a fort built and maintained by the rulers of Venad and later by the kingdom of Travencore to defend the kingdom from invasions from Tamil area. The fort was captured by the English East India Company in 1809 from the soldiers loyal to Velu Thampi Dalawa. The remains of the fort can be seen near railway station; but is neglected by both railway and archeology departments.
The place is also famous for ‘Our Lady of Sorrows’ Church, which attracts thousands of devotees from far and near. The place is in the southernmost tip of India, in and around from Aralvaimozhi is Thovalai, Vattakottai and Suchindram.
To reach Aralvaimozhi, Trivandrum International Airport (90 km) is the nearest airport.
The Ananthapuri express (Chennai to Trivandrum) and other local trains stop at Aralvaymozhi Railway Station. The Nagercoil junction Railway Station is around 14 km from Aralvaimozhi.
Tirunelveli Junction is around 65 km from Aralvaimozhi.
Aralvaimozhi can be approached from Nagercoil, Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli by road.
It is definitely a place worth experiencing!