Tourist places in Thootukudi
Thoothukudi District, also called as Tuticorin District. It is popularly called as ‘Pearl City”. The District was formed by separating the Greater Tirunelveli District in the year 1986 (by TN Legislative Assembly). The town of Thoothukudi is the district headquarters. The district is well known for pearl cultivation, with a plenty of pearls being found in the seas offshore. It is called as the gateway of Tamil Nadu. The port of Korkai, Kulasekerapattinam, was famous in ancient world with its name and fame reaching as far as Rome. Tuticorin The district in one of most urbanized and has high socio-economic wealth. It also has higher HDI, Literacy, and Sex Ratio than many other districts. The archaeological site at Adichanallur holds the remains of the ancient Tamil civilization. According to Indian Census 2011, the district had a population of 17, 50,176 with a gender-ratio of 1,023 females for every 1,000 males. This district is well connected by air, water, road and rail transport. Thoothukudi also has many tourist places and historical importance. We will see one by one.
Tiruchendur is one of the foremost important pilgrim centers of South India. This Temple is located at a distance of 40 KMs away from Thoothukudi. This is a sea-shore temple which is dedicated to Lord Murugan, is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. (Arupadi Veedu). It has nine storied tier temple tower of height 157 feet belongs 17th century AD. Here, visiting Valli Cave, taking sea-bath, and bathing in Nazhikkinaru are treated as scared one. Tiruchendur is well connected by bus service to all over Tamil Nadu and train services to Tirunelveli and Chennai. So this is one of the picnic spot also.
It is located in Thoothukudi district. Panimaya Matha Church (Shrine Basilia of Our Lady of Snow) is a prominent church constructed by the Portuguese in the year 1711. Every year on 5th August the church festival is celebrated in a grand manner.
Vallanadu Black buck Sanctuary
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is situated in Vallanadu village of Srivaikundam Taluk on Tirunelveli – Thoothukudi road at a distance of 18 Kilometers away from Tirunelveli. The Vallanadu Blackbuck sanctuary is an isolated hillock with scrub forest. Police shooting station (Arms Firing Training) here is one of the best shooting stations in India.
Manapadu is a Sea shore village located at 70 KMs away from Tirunelveli and 18 KMs away from south of Tiruchendur. This place was visited by St. Francis Xavier in the year 1542. The Holy Cross church constructed on a cliff lures thousands of pilgrims entire the year and during the month of festival (1st September to 14th September) thousand numbers of tourists congregated here.
Korkai is the ancient port city of Pandian dynasty in the Sangam period is situated on the main road from Tiruchendur to Thoothukudi. It is 29 KMs away from Tiruchendur. The Tank of Korkai is said to be Korkai kulam with an extent 250 acres. An antique Vettrivelamman Temple is also located here.
Kulasekerapattinam is located on the way to Kanniyakumari from Tiruchendur. It is situated 20 Kilometers away from Tiruchendur and 65 Kilometers away from Kanyakumari. This village is famous and popular for Mutharaman Temple, which is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal. This temple is nearly 150 years old. The Dhasara Festival is celebrated in a grand scale every year during October. Folk dance artists from throughout Tamil Nadu perform variety of programmes. So this is a heaven for tourist.
Kazhugumalai - Jain temple and Murugan temple
Kazhugumalai Jain Temple is located 60 Kilometers away from Tirunelveli and 21 Kilometers from Kovilpatti. This is generally a Jain temple where we can see images of Adinatha, Neminatha, Mahaveera, Parvanatha, Bahubali. Here, there is also a monolithic Temple called Vettuvan Kovil. This is the only one of the monolithic Pandya Temple that still survives. Kazhugumalai Murgan temple also very famous in Thoothukudi district.
Panchalankurichi is a small historic village situated 25 KMs away from Thoothukudi and 55 KMs away from Tirunelveli. From here the Great warrior Kattabomman popularly known as “Veerapandiya Kattabomman” raised his voice against the British government in the 17th century AD. The existing Memorial Fort was constructed in 1974, by the government of Tamil Nadu.
It is located 13 KMs away from Tiruchendur and said to be an oldest village. The Pari Pauvlin Church here was built in 1847. This is one of the biggest churches with the tallest steeple in India. So, this is one of the important tourist place one should visit.
Ettayapuram is the birth place of the revolutionary poet the great Subramaniya Bharathiyar and is located 76 KMs away from Tirunelveli and 22 KMs away from Kovilpatti and 35 KMs away from Thoothukudi. Here, his home now became a memorial. Umarupulavar Dhansha is also located here.
Kayathar, is located 25 KMs away from Tirunelveli on the way to Madurai. Kattabomman, one of the earliest Freedom fighters of who fought against the British rule in India, was hanged by the British in1799 at this place. A monument has been built here by the Tamil Nadu government to commemorate the memory of this great freedom fighter Kattabomman.
Kayalpattinam was a famous and popular port next to Korkai in the 12th and 13th Centuries, located 30 KMs away from Thoothukudi and 18 KMs away from Tiruchendur between Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur highway. It has a fine beach on Bay of Bengal. This is one of the famous beach and park in Tamil Nadu.
Adichanallur is 20 KMs away from Tirunelveli on the way to Tiruchendur. According to an Archaeological view, this place has a magnificent past and it is situated on the banks of river Tamiraparani. It is believed that, in ancient times a civilized territory flourished here. Urns (burnt-clay vessels which were used for burying dead bodies of the very old people) small mud vessel were found near the river Tamiraparani and they are supportive evidence, for the civilization. This place is now under the supervision of Tamil Nadu State Archaeological Department.
It is located 10 KMs away from Tiruchendur and 40 KMs away from Tirunelveli. It is natural water gushes out from the spring at this place. This temple is dedicated to Village deity called Ayyanar; it is a good picnic / tour centre. This is one of the important places in this district.
It is one such pilgrim centre where Goddess Sri Vetkaliamman of 42 feet height wonders the people. It is located on the way to Thoothukudi to Madurai four way track road that is 3 KMs away from Ettaiyapuram.
It is located 45 KMs away from Tirunelveli and around 20 KMs away from Tiruchendur. It is very famous tourist spot in Tamil Nadu.
The nine Vishnu Temples are located very close to one another. They are all in Thoothukudi District. The Vaishnava shrines are having an attractive legend. The shrines are prominent for nine stone carvings and temple architecture. Name of the Place
They are, Srivaikundam, Natham, Thirupuliyankudi, Perunkulam, Erattai Thiruppathi 1, Erattai Thiruppathi 2,
Thenthirupperai, Thirukkolur, Alwarthirunagari. Out of 9 shrines 6 temples are located in Thoothukudi district, remaining 3 located in Tirunelveli district. Let's see 6 shrines one by one.
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.
It is located 17km from Tirunelveli and 40km from Thoothukudi on the National Highways. It is also situated on the banks of river Tamirabarni. Presiding deity is Kailasanathar Goddess Sivakamiammal.
It is situated 30km from Tirnelveli and 40km from Thoothukudi it is also located on the river Tamirabarni. Presiding deity is Kailasanathar Goddess Sivakamiammai. The first Navathirupathi temple is located here.
It is located 38km from Tirunelveli on the way to Tiruchendur. Presiding deity is Kailasanathar. Goddess Allakiyaponnamal One of the Navathirupathi temple also located here.
It is situated 38km from Tirunelveli on the way to Tiruchendur near Thenthirupperai. Presiding deity is Kailasanathar Goddess Alagiya ponnamal and Sivakamiammai.
It is located 20km km from Thoothukudi on the way to Tiruchendur near Athoor and Punnakayal. Presiding deity is Kailasanathar Goddess Sivakami Ammai. City buses are available from Thoothukudi old bus stand.