Nagercoil

Nagercoil is the capital of Kanyakumari. Until 1956, it was a part of Kerala, but now it is included to Tamil Nadu.  Nagercoil is famous for Nagaraja Temple and the name of the city is derived from this Temple , which was once (1000 years back) a Jain temple. Nagaraja Temple is the centre of tourist attraction in Nagercoil.

St.Xavour's Church is the popular Roman Catholic Church built by St.Xaviour. Nagercoil is 12 kms away from Kanyakumari, which is the southern most part of India . In earlier days, Nagercoil and its surroundings were known as Nanjilnadu .

Nagercoil has a pleasant climate for most part of the year. Nagercoil is benefited by both the north-east monsoon and the south-west monsoon t is a district administrative center, with industries in motor repair, rubber goods, and rice- and cotton-milling. It is an important Christian center in the primarily Hindu country of India. 

Nagaraja Temple

It is difficult to ascertain the exact age of the temple. There is no authentic epigraph to aid the historian with its chronology. The mountain Mahendragiri in the Kanyakumari district is referred to as the abode of nagas in the Ramayana of Valmiki. From this, it can be presumed that the origin of naga influence in the area goes back to legendary times.
From the five headed-serpent deity of the temple, the name of this place (town) Nagercoil is derived; gradually its old name, Kottar, has mostly faded. There is a part of town called Kottar, so the old name remains.With in five kilometer there is no human death for snake bite in current dates.
Traditional background
There is a traditional background regarding the origin of Nagaraja temple.
One day when a girl was cutting grass, blood began to spurt from below. She discovered that the sickle had cut into the head of a five-headed serpent. Dazed with fear, the girl fled to the nearest village and reported what she had seen. People in large numbers flocked to the spot and witnessed the miracle with their own eyes. By the joint effort of the villagers, the place was cleared and preserved for the purpose of worship.
They built a small shrine in the locality and worshiped the five-headed serpent. Hearing that the miracle happened at this place, people from other places visited the temple and offered poojas.
King of Kalakad
Once the King of Kalakkad, who was stricken with leprosy, came to the temple on Sunday in the Tamil month of Avani and did penance before the deity. Miraculously, he was cured of the deadly disease, and the fame of the temple spread far and wide. The king built the present temple in gratitude. On every Sunday during Avani (August/September) the king, accompanied by his wife and children, used to visit the temple and offer poojas. Ever since, the temple is visited on every Sunday in Avani by thousands of devotees and the serpent shrine is worshiped.