Tourist places in Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli District is one among 32 districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. Tirunelveli District was formed in the year 1st September 1790 by the East India Company (on behalf of the British government), and comprised the current Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts and parts of Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. Tirunelveli is the second-largest district (as of October 2008), after Villupuram district. According to the Indian Census 2011, the district had a population of 30, 77,233. Gender-ratio of the district is 1,027 females for every 1,000 males. This district had a literacy rate of the district was 73.88% (As of 2011 Census). Mostly Tirunelveli is known for its agriculture and traditions. It is also very famous for food recipes like Tirunelveli Halwa which is very famous all over India. Tirunelveli district has so many tourist places like temples, sanctuaries, waterfalls etc. Let's see some important tourist places one by one.
This temple is located in the heart of the city. This is a twin temple dedicated to Lord Siva and Parvathi. Here, rare jewels the Golden lily tank, Musical pillars, the hall of thousand pillars and humongous of statues in stone and in gun are worth seeing. Every year Car Festival will be held in this temple. The district administration announced local holiday for this festival.
It is situated on the coastal area of the Bay of Bengal. It is located on the way from Tiruchendur to Kanyakumari. It is 40 KMs away from Kanyakumari, and 43 KMs from Tiruchendur and 72 KMs away from Tirunelveli. It is twin village namely Nadar Uvari and Anthony Uvari. Nadar Uvari on the highway has Lord Siva temple of Suyambulingaswamy. After visiting Tiruchendur Temple there are so many tourists are visiting this temple and week-end and holidays the tourist flow is high. So, this is one of the attractive tourist spot in Tirunelveli.
Krishnapuram Vishnu temple
It is located 13 KMs from on the way to Tiruchendur. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the presiding deity is Thiruvenkatanathar. A number of the life size minute carved stone sculptures with intricate workmen ship adorned. One should not miss to visit this temple since this temple is a treasure house of temple arts.
Thirukutralanathar temple at Courtallam
Thirukutralanathar temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya kings. Less than a half kilometer from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha which means Hall of Pictures which is dedicated to Lord Natarajar (Dancing Siva) and adorned with paintings of rural deities and devotees, Puranic stories and religious events. This Sabha is one of the five sabhas where Lord Natarajar performed the cosmic-dance. The Pandya kings used worship here. So, this is one of the famous and historic tourist places one should visit here.
It is situated 54 KMs away from Tirunelveli and 5 KMs away from Courtallam. Sri Lokambika Kasi Viswanatha Swamy temple is located in the heart of the town; which is built in 15th century .It is known as South Varanasi. It is one of the main tourist spot one should visit.
Kurukkuthurai Murugan temple
Here, there is a Lord Murugan temple on the bank of the Tamiraparani River is exquisitely carved out of a rock known as Thiruvuruvamalai. It is said that the same rock was used for carving the temple of Lord Murugan at Tiruchendur in the year 1653. Vaikasi Visakam (May to June) is a famous festival celebrated here, where lakhs of domestic tourists congregated to witness the festival.
This is a Murugan temple which is located on a small hill bounded by Western Ghats in the border of Kerala state. Here, the presiding deity of the temple is called as Thirumalaikumarasamy. There is one more goddess temple within this temple called Thirumalai Amman. This hill temple is bounded by lot of coconut plantations and small village, so the view from the top will be beautiful. It is located 12 KMs away from Tenkasi and 7 KMs away from Senkottai.
It is located 45 KMs away from Tirunelveli, 10 KMs away from Valliyoor, and 12 KMs away from Nanguneri. Here there is a popular Vishnu temple located; it is a treasure house of temple arts and architecture. There are many minutely carved stone sculptures and panels are found here.
It is situated 40 KMs away from Tirunelveli. Here, Athalanathar temple and Narumpoonathar temple on the banks of river Tamiraparani, which lures tourists mainly because of picturesque attractiveness.
Thiruvenkatanathapuram (Mela) Vishnu temple
Here, the Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram temple’s sanctum sanctorum has Lord Srinivasa deity. It is situated 10 KMs away from the south west of Tirunelveli in the banks of river Tamirabarani. This temple place is also known as Thirunankovil. Timing of the temple is 5.30A.M. To 12.30Pm. and 4.P.M. To 9.P.M.
Sri Sorimuthu Ayyanar temple (Kanikudyiruppu)
This temple is located at Karayar near Papanasam. Here, the presiding deity is Sorimuthu Ayyanar and other deities are Bommakka, Thimmakka and Boodhathar. It is situated 60 KMs away from Tirunelveli city. Here, the nearest Railway station is Ambasamudram. This temple is under the control of Zamin Singampatti samasthanam. Adi Ammavasai is celebrated in a grand manner, thousands of people assembled here. This is one of the main attractive tourist places in Tamil Nadu.
This temple shows the concept of Hari and Hara being one God. Here the presiding deity is by the name Sankara Narayanan, which are half Lord Shiva and the other half Lord Vishnu. Also, there is another deity, named Avodai ambal or Gomathi Ambal. Here, the holy sand is available in Gomathi amman temple, which is assumed to cure the diseases.
Ayikudi Sri Balasubramaniaswamy temple
This Lord Murugan temple is located in the Thenkasi Taluk, on the banks of Hanuman Nadi which is nearer to Kutralam. Here, the both Moolavar and Utsava Murthy are so exquisite that the darshan of Karunamurthy Bala Murugan will mesmerize all the devotees who visit this temple.
It is a small, elegant and beautiful Church which was constructed in the year 1826 by Rev Rhenius and opened to public for worship on 26 June 1826.
This is a pilgrim centre; which is situated in between Thiruchendur and Kanyakumari on the coast road, about 46 KMs away from Tirunelveli.
This centre of attraction of this place is the ancient dargha construct around the year 1674. This dargah lures not only the Muslims but Hindus and Christians also in equal numbers.
Manjolai Hill station is located 57 KMs away from Tirunelveli town and is at an altitude of 1162 sq. metre. Here, there are many tea plantations in and around this place. Bombay Burma Tea Estate is popular in this area. Nearly 4000 people are working in these tea plantations. Manjolai is noteworthy for the climate, scenery and calm atmosphere. This place can easily be compared with Udhagamandalam, the queen of Hill stations as far as the pleasing climate and nonviolent natural atmosphere are concerned. So, this is one of the important tourist places one should not miss.
The Venkatachalapathy temple at Krishnapuram village on the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur main road about 12 KMs away from Tirunelveli is one of the few specimens shows the architectural marvel and grandeur. It is really a treasure house of stone sculptures. Many rare intricately carved sculptures made of granite stone are fine exhibits of architectural skill. Here, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkatachalapathy with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. The temple is complete in itself, since it is following the temple agamas. It is one of the very important tourist places one should visit.
It is situated in Nelkattumsevval or Avudaiyapuram, Sankarankoil taluk is to be written red letters in the history of the Freedom Movement of India for it was the headquarters of Pulithevar, the first chieftain in Tamil Nadu to resist the British. The author of the Tirunelveli District Gazetter, H.R.Pate, observes as follows: "Nelkatumseval is chiefly memorable as having been in the eighteenth Century stronghold of the redoubtable Pulithevar, who figured for many years as the leader of the Marava Confederacy against the troops of the Nawab and the Company. He had a shrewd insight into the political situation of the time and was a veritable thorn in the side of the Nawab's agents".
This Adavi Nainar reservoir is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats in Mekkari village of Shenkottai Taluk in Tirunelveli district. It is situated near Courtalam and Achanikoil in Kerala state.
Gadana Nathi dam and Park
Gadana Nathi Reservoir is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats in Sivasailm village near Alwarkurichi which is one of the significant tourist places of Tirunelveli district.
Manimuthar Dam is located around 47 KMs way from west of Tirunelveli and is an ideal picnic spot. It is a half mile-long dam and the water is held on three sides by mountains. So, this is one of the very important tourist places one should visit.
Ramanathi reservoir is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kadayam village of Ambasamudram Taluk in Tirunelveli District. It is one of the important tourist places in this district. Currently, a lot of tourists are visiting the dam and park in this area.
Gundar reservoir and Waterfalls
It is located 70 KMs away from Tirunelveli. The Gundar Reservoir is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats near the towns of Courtallam and Senkottai. This is a significant tourist place in Tirunelveli District. Here, a huge number of domestic tourists on the way to Courtallam visit this dam and park.
Papanasam Dam is situated in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. It was constructed during the British regime and is 5.4 meters wide, 265 meters long and 240 meters height. It is also known as the Tambiraparani River Dam and has a total catchment area of 147 sq km. Boating is feasible in the lake but swimming is severely prohibited as it is populated with crocodiles.
Courtallam and Five falls
It is popularly called as “Spa of South”. It is one of the foremost and famous tourist spot in the district as well as whole country. The natural water falls, enjoyable weather and irregular drizzling really gives an unusual charisma to the visitors. The joyful scene of the falls gets heightened by cool gentle wind. Usually, the season is in between May to September. This water falls down in 8 places with different force depends on the height of the cliff. Following are the some of the important falls one should visit.
- Main Falls
- Small Falls (Citharuvi)
- Five Falls (Iyentharuvi)
- Kundaru falls
- Old Courtallam Falls (Palaiya Coutralam)
- SenbahaDevi Falls (Senbakadavi)
- Honey Falls (Theanaruvi)
- Milk Falls (Paalaruvi)
- Tiger Falls (Puliaruvi)
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department has arranged amenities for the visitors to take baths at any time. All the falls, except Honey falls, have been appropriately illuminated. One can bathe at anytime during the day. The water is said to possess medicinal and therapeutic qualities of the herbal plants grown in this mountain. Those suffering from rheumatic pains, chronic headache, and nerve disorder get cured by a long stay at Courtallam. So this is one of the famous places one must visit.
Boating
In every year during the season (June – September) Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation arranges boating in the Melavannamadai lake near Five falls road.
It is a Papanasam Falls, situated 42 KMs away from west of Tirunelveli, it lies on the Tamiraparani River. The falls, also called Agastya Falls, is believed to be situated at the place where Shiva and Parvati appeared before the sage Agastya. Papanasam means forgiveness of sins. It is a vital pilgrim center where people take bath in the waters to reduce themselves from sins.
It is a natural falls flowing throughout the year located above the Manimuthar dam. Driving there by bike will be adventurous. This falls nearby has a pond which has a depth of 90 feet (27 m). It is a panoramic place. It is located 35 KMs away from Tirunelveli city.
Tiger Reserve Wild Life Sanctuary
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), it is situated in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District and Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the second largest protected areas by Tamil Nadu government. It was created in the year 1988. The continuation of “Project Tiger” in Kalakkad, Mundanthurai tiger reserve was approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in 28th August 2010.
Birds Sanctuary at Koonthankulam
It is located with area of 1.2933 Km2 and declared as sanctuary in the year 1994. It adjoins the very small village of Koonthankulam in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 38 KMs away from Tirunelveli. The international name of this sanctuary is Kunthangulam Bird Sanctuary.
About Navakailayam
Nine Lord Siva shrines highlight as Navagraghas which gives health and prosperity to the Pilgrims. Among the nine temples four are located in Tirunelveli district and rest of them located in Thoothukudi district. Following are the four Navakailaya temples in Tirunelveli.
1. Papanasam
It is located 45km from Tirunelveli junction. Here, the presiding deity of the temple is Pabavinasar alias Kailasanatha and Mother Goddess is Ulagammai. It is a good Picnic spot.
2. Cheranmahadevi
It is located 22 KMs away from Tirunelveli. The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Ammainathar alias Kailasanathar and Goddess Aawoodainayaki. It is situated on the bank of river Tamiraparani. Here, the city buses are available to this place from Tirunelveli junction.
3. Kodaganallur
It is located 15 KMs away from Tirunelveli on the way to Cheranmahadevi and the temple is situated near Nadukallur village. Here, the Presiding deity is Kailasanathar and Goddess Sivakamiammai. From here the City buses are available from Tirunelveli Junction Bus stand. So you can visit very easily.
4. Kunnathur
It is located 2 KMs away from Tirunelveli town railway station. It is also very near to Thiruvengadanathapuram, Kunnathur which is situated in small hillock. Here, the presiding deity is Kothai Parameswaran and Goddess Sivakamasundari.