Marthandam is a major trade centre in Kuzhithurai municipality across National Highway (NH 47) in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Formerly known as Thoduvetty (another name for the Marthandam market region), it was a portion of Kanyakumari district which was added to the state of Tamil Nadu on 1 November 1956.

It is famous for the hillock which has a cave containing rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to the 9th century.

It covered the five taluks of Agastiswaram, Eraniel, Kalkulam, Thovalay and Vilavancode and was administered by a civil servant of rank Diwan Peishkar equivalent to a District Collector in British India.

[citation needed] It has a railway line connecting the capital of Kerala, Trivandrum, with the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari.

It has a railway line connecting the capital of Kerala, Trivandrum, with the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari.

Kuzhithurai station serves the town of Marthandam and is found midway along the Trivandrum — Kanyakumari railway line.

Historical records say that Travancore king Sri Vishakam Thirunal who ruled from 1880 to 1885 used to pray every month at this temple to ward off his BudhagrahaDosham.

Situated in a peaceful location on the banks of the Tamiravaruni river, this temple is called Guruvayoor of Kanyakumari district.

In Tamil Nadu it is the only temple where a large number of caparisoned elephants participate in the annual festival.

A large number[clarification needed] of devotees from Kanyakumari and Trivadrum District visit Sree Chamundeswari Temple for special poojas, especially unmarried girls, wishing for a good married life.

[citation needed] The Anjukannu Kalungu Sree Madan Thampuram Yakshi Amman Temple's festivals are: Yearly festival for 7 days, Shivrathri (Shivalaya Ottam), Saraswathy pooja, Deepawali, Thrikkarthika, Monthly Ammavasya, yearly Kumbhabishegam, Pongal.

[citation needed] The Marthandam CSI Church on the Main Road at the junction was built by Rev.

Mathur Aqueduct itself carries water of the Pattanamkal canal for irrigation over the Pahrali river, from one hill to another, for a distance of close to one kilometre.

There is also a huge flight of stairs (built in recent times) that allows one to climb from the level of the Pahrali river to the trough.

Bow Song (Villu Paatu) is an ancient form of musical storytelling art of southern Tamil Nadu.

Bow, the age-old weapon of warriors, paradoxically lends itself to be used as a primary musical instrument for the Villu Pattu artists.

Occasionally, the Villu Pattu team divides itself into two groups, each trying to prove opposite points of view of a subject.

The players stand in a circle with sticks in their hand and dance round a lighted lamp repeating the songs sung by the leader.

In Kanyakumari District, it is now played in the temples at Thiruvattar, Thirparappu, Ponmana, Kuzhithura, Neyyoor, Nattalam and Munchira during the time of festivals.

Ottam Thullal is now performed in the temples of Thiruvattar, Thirparappu, Ponmana, Nattalam and Thirunanthikara in the district during the time of festivals.

A tradition believed to have been founded by Parasurama is known as Vadakkan Kalari; another is credited to Agasthiar in which the emphasis is on striking at vital points of the body and not on weapons, even through sword, knife, urumi (rolling sword), mankombu (horns of a deer), kandakkodali, (a kind of axe), mazhu (another kind of axe) etc., are also used.

Kanyakumari district is home to an indigenous form of martial arts called 'Adimurai' or 'naadan', which is often confused with the Kalari of Kerala, in spite of its uniqueness.