Tirunelveli Tourism

Nellaiappar Temple :

Nellaiappar Temple is famous as one of the largest shiva temples of Tamilnadu, steeped in tradition and also known for its sculptural splendours. The temple is situated in the centre of the city at a distance of two kilometers from the railway station. The Temple is situated in Tirunelveli Town. The main Railway station is situated in Tirunelveli Junction. It is a twin temple dedicated to Goddess parvathi and Lord Shiva. Even from a considerable distance, one can have a good view of the gopurams (towers). Both the gopurams were built according to the rules laid down in the agama sastras by Rama Pandyan. It is the largest Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Tiruchendur:

It is a temple town in the east of Tirunelveli and one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.It draws millions of devotees and is situated in the sea shore and the sea with dancing waves paying homage to Lord Muruga is a pleasure to see." Kantha Shasti Festival '' in which Sura,the demon was killed by Lord Murgua, attracts thousand of devotees.

New Tirunelveli there are nine Vaishnavite temples centering around Alwar- Thirunagari, the birth place of Nammalwar, Chief among the Vaishnavite Alwars. The places are karungulam Srivaikuntam, Twin Tirupathi, Alwarthirunagiri, Thenthiruperai, Thirupulingudi, Thirukkarur.All these temples date back to the period of early Pandyas. A 50 km trip from City to Tiruchendur covers all these.

This temple is the second of the Arupadai Vedu(six abodes) of Lord Muruga. Senthil Aandavar with Valli and Deivayanai temple is popular here and managed by Government of Tamilnadu.

Panchalankurichi & Kattabomman Memorial Fort:

Panchalankurichi, a small but historic village , is 3 Kms. from Ottapidaram and 18 km from Tuticorin. From here the great warrior Katta Bomman Known as “Veerapandiya Kattabomman” raised his voice against the British regime in the 17th Century A.D.The existing memorial fort was constructed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974.

Sri Devi Jakkammal Temple , the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, is located near the fort. The cemetery of British Soldiersare seen near the fort. Within the memorial Hall, there are beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga. The tourists can easily get a good idea about the history of the momentous period from that. The remnants of the old fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India at Kayatar, very near Tirunelveli, there is another memorial for kattabomman.

Kutralam:

Courtallam is dedicated to Lord ThiruKutralanathar(Siva) and the temple at the periphery of the main falls is the Kutraleeswar Temple . According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Siva sent Saint Agastya to the south to avoid an imbalance due to overcrowding in the Mt.Kailas on his celestial wedding. Courtallam is the location of the Chithra Sabha, one of the five Sabhas(temples) where Nataraja performed his famous cosmic dance. The sabha contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings and is decorated with many local deities. Chithra Sabha is said to have been constructed using medicinal herbs as mortar. Heavy wooden carved planks serve as doors. Many small halls inside the temple include statues of Lord Vishnu, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Tenkasi Viswanathar Swamy, Ulagammai Ambikai, Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi Ambal and Navagrahas. Other ancient temples associated with the religious heritage of Courtallam include the Kashivishwanathar Temple (Tenkasi), Kumaran Temple (Ilanji), Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple (Tirumalaikoil), Shenbagadevi Temple (Shenbagadevi) Anjaneyar Temple (Krishnapuram) and Thoranamalai Temple.

The falls are the best places to enjoy with families and friends.This is the perfect time to view and enjoy the place. People all over the state arrive here to visit the wonderful place away from the hot and sunny season. The monsoon season of Kutralam welcomes everybody with chilled and fresh water falls.

The accommodations are all very comfortable and costs of accommodations are also very suitable as per the budgets for all types of people. The place is wonderful spot for spending the weekends and enjoying the falls bath.People should bath with care as the falls are from hills from a greater and the force and pressure of the water is extremely high. Children and old people should be given more care and concern.



Kanyakumari :

The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore, is a shakti peetha dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the adjoining ghat, situated overlooking the shore, attract tourists from all over the world. The sparkling diamond nose-ring of the deity is said to be visible even from the sea.

On two rocky islets just off the shore, southeast of the Kumari Amman Temple, are the vivekananda Rock Memorial, built in 1970, and the gigantic 133 feet (40.5 m) tall statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar (Completed on January 1, 2000) is one of the biggest statues in Asia. One of the rocks called Sri padhaparai is said to bear the footprints of the virgin goddess. Swami vivekananda is said to have seated on this rock in deep meditation. Also on this rock, there is a Dhayana mandapam, an area for meditation. Ferry services are available to reach the memorial.




Manimuthar & Papanasam Dams: Papanasam Dam is located 49 Kms away from Tirunelveli. This is a beautiful Picnic spot. Another dam in Tirunelveli Dictrict is Maninuthar Dam. This is 47 Kms from Tirunelveli. Having Salubrious climate and gorgeous gardens, it serves as an excursion centre.

Ariyakulam (13 Kms): A variety of birds congregate here in large numbers from March to June for breeding. Koonthakulam 30 kms. from Tirunelveli is another bird sanctuary.

Manjolai: It is a scenic beauty on the way to Upper Kodaiyar. It is a beautiful picnic spot worth visiting.

Upper Kodaiyar: It is located on the Southern most tip of the Western Ghats bordering Kerala. It is a beautiful area where nature is at its best with verdant forests. Tea, Rubber and Cardomon are grown here on a large scale. Manjolai is the best known place here. Kalachi, Nalumukku, Kuthiraiyerri, Oothu are important locales where one can have beautiful panaramic view. A mini Golf Course is also available here.

Ayyanar Sunai: This centre is 40 Kms. from Tiruchendur. There is a natural “Spring” where one can get water throughout the year. A temple is dedicated to village deity Ayyanar. It is a good picnic centre. Nearby is a forest with sand dunes.

Tenkasi (53 kms) :The name itself implies that this town is kasi(varanasi) of south. the flag staff of the temple is note worthy for scultural beauty and is 400 years old.

Papanasam(42 kms):This holy place is on the western ghat of pothigai hills.legend has it ,thet it was close to the papanasam Falls,on the banks of Tamiraparani river that Siva and Parvathi appeared before Agasthiya,the falls came to be known as the"Agasthiya falls".To commemorate thevist of divine couple,the Agasthya temple was built there.

Sankarankoil(56 kms):Sankarankoil is a unique temple dedicated to sankaranarayana who is the combined manifestation of siva and and parvati.twice in a year sun's rays fall on pedestal.

Kazhugumalai(56 kms):It wasone of the important centers of jains. The bas-relief found here are the contribution of jain and are among the earliest of such works.the vettuvan koil(siva temple) the rock-cut cave temple is worth visiting.

Srivaikuntam (37 kms): Srivaikuntam is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu known as Srivaikuntapatiswami with a .lofty gopuram. The Thiruvengada Mudaiyar Mandapam is rich with sculpture of Yalis, Elephents and Warriors. The Ekadasi Mandapam which is opened on Vaikunda Ekadasi days, contains exquisite sculptures. During the conflicting days of the East India company forces and Katta- bomman, this temple served as a fort. The Kailasanatha swamy temple is an another important one. It contains six inscriptions of the times of Veera Pandiya Kattabomman.

Manapad (70 kms): Holy Cross Church at Manapad is an ancient one. It was built in the year 1581. Thousands congregate during the festival season from 1-14th September every year. The church is associated with St. Francis Xavier.

Krishnapuram (13kms): There is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity is Thiruvenkatanathar. There are a number of life-size sculptures in this temple with intricate workmanship.

Kulasekarapattinam: The Mutharamman temple 20 kms from Tiruchendur is known for the popular Dasara festival in September-October were folk dance artists from all over the State participate in the festival. It is a coastal village with a fine beach.
Tuticorin (48 kms):This town is a major industrial and commercial centre and also a harbour. SPIC’s fertilizer, a heavy water plant, etc. are located here. It is major pearl fishing and salt production centre as well.

Pathamadai (30 kms): It is known for its beautiful corai mats. This is also the birth place of Swami Sivanantha, the Saint and Philosopher.

Ottapidaram (65kms): This is the birth place of V.O.Chidambaram, freedom fighter. His maiden venture in navigation against the East India Company caused his imprisonment. That is why he is popularly called as “Kappalottiya Thamizhan”. His home has now become a memorial.