Kottar

Kottar is a locality and a bazaar area of Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu state, in the southernmost part of Peninsular India; though a part of Nagercoil today, it is the original town around which the city of Nagercoil grew. It was an ancient trade centre of both Pandyans and Cheras at various times. The ancient mercantile centre of Kottar was established on the banks of the Pahrali River (Pazhayar). Robert Caldwell describes the extent of Malayalam in the mid 19th century as extending from the vicinity of Mangalore in the north where it supersedes with Tulu and Kannada to Kottar beyond Pahrali River near Kanyakumari in the south where it begins to supersede with the Tamil and from Malabar Coast in the west to Western Ghats in the east besides the inhabited islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea. In the modern day, Kottar is the main commodities market area of Kanyakumari District. The main railway station of Nagercoil, the Nagercoil Junction is at Kottar. The only Government Ayurveda Medical College in Tamilnadu state is also at Kottar.

Kottar includes Kambolam a. k. a. Kottar Bazaar, Vadiveeswaram, Nagercoil Railway Station, Edalakudy, Elankadai, Vatta Vizhai, Chettikulam, Part of Cape Road

Tourist attractions around Kottar include St. Xavier's Cathedral, Kanyakumari town and beach, Suchindrum Temple, Vattakottai Fort (Circular Fort) and Sanguthurai Beach. The ancient and rich cultural traditions and legacy of Kottar had been a platform for spiritual development in the southern part of India. The people of Kottar and around contributed immensely in eradicating the slave market which was prevalent in those times. Rustic games like Sadugudu or Kabbadi (two groups of people competing in capturing opponent's territory in return attacking and making the fighter to lose the consistent flow of breath to stop him from chanting), Kannampoochi (a very mundane and ancient version of hide and seek), Paandi (throwing the dice and reaching to that spot with one leg folded, by then mutually agreed to own the land resembles the colony captivation act of Americans during the 16th century), Seven dice (In the early ages during British rule in India, this game was invented indirectly to showcase the anti British rule by destructing seven layered dices formed in the centre of the play court)
Most prominently, there were community of people named as "Aasan" are celebrated as demigod who were believed to have supernatural powers and gained them with the influence of science and meditation. It was said that Aasans were invited by many influential persons around the World to learn the craft of healing and resurrection. Aaroodam (Prophecy), a profession which was conceded to the heir of the Families traditionally had been acclaimed and believed that they have the will to study the destiny of a Human. Renowned Locations: Marunthuvazh malai (Translated as Mountain of Medicines); a significant place 8 km away from Kottar. A mount surrounded by therapeutic plantations plays a remarkable role in Epic Ramayana. Kanyakumari · Kalikesam · Mathur Hanging Trough · Mukkadal · Muttom · Olakaruvi · Padmanabhapuram Palace · Pechiparai Reservoir · Sothavilai Beach · Thiruparrapu · Udayagiri · Vattakottai Fort · Vattakottai · Vattaparai Falls

Notable Shrines: Devi Kanya Kumari Temple · St. Xavier's Church · Kumara coil · Marunthuvazh Malai · Mondaicaud Bhagavathi Temple · Nagaraja Temple · Pancha pathi Peer Mohammed Dargah · Sivalayams · Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple. Marungoor Murugan Temple · Swamithope pathi · Thanumalayan Temple · Thirunadhikkara · Thiruppathisaram · Thirucharanathumalai, Uchni mahali amman Temple in kottar, vanigar amman Temple, yelagaram perumal Temple, Ayurpirati amman Temple, Sevistasasta Temple, Pungaiyadi Vinayagar Temple

Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport. Distance: 72 km
Nearest Railway Station: Nagercoil Junction. Distance: 0.7 km
Nearest Bus Stand: Nagercoil Bus Stand. Distance: 1 km