INTRODUCTION
Situated on the banks of the river Tambraparani, the small town of Thirunelveli was once the capital of the Pandyas, and it has a history that goes back 2000 years. The main attraction of modern-day Thirunelveli, however, is the twin temples of Kanthimathi-Nellaiappar dedicated to Parvati and Shiva respectively. Among the interesting sights in the temples are the golden lily tank, the thousand-pillared hall, which has some exquisite sculptures, and the musical pillars that produce different musical notes when you strike them.
About 13 kms from Thirunelveli is the Krishnapuram temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Here he is called Thiruvenkatanathar. The temple is a worth a visit for the beautiful life-size sculptures carved with great intricacy and dedication by their creators.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Area | 105 SqKms |
| Population | 411831 (2001) |
| Altitude | 100 metres (Approximate) |
| Rainfall | 100 cms - Average |
| Season | Throughout the year |
| Clothing | Tropical |
| Languages Spoken | Tamil and English |
| Climate | Summer : max 34.8 degree Celsius, Winter :21.6 degree Celsius |
PLACE OF INTEREST
Sankaran Koil (56 kms) It is situated 56 kms to the North of Thirunelveli. The Car or the Chariot Festival and Adithabasu Vizha is celebrated in this temple in June-July. Lakhs of people flock to this place on this occasion. Sankaran Koil is connected by road and rail transport to important places in the State. The near by places are Thirunelveli, Thuthukudi, Tenkasi, Kovilpatti, Srivilliputhur and Madurai.
| Kutrallam (59 kms): Kutrallam, the " Spa of the south" is situated at an elevation of about 170 m high, on the western Ghats in Thirunelveli district. This is not only a tourist spot but also a health resort too. The waterfall has medicinal properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. During the season between June to September every year thousands of tourists visit this place. | |
| | Papanasam: It is located 60 kms from Thirunelveli. The famous Shiva temple is located at the bottom of Western Ghats and also very near to the origin of the River Tambraparani. Every year The Chitrai Vishu festival is celebrated in the month of April and another festival Adi Ammavasai is celebrated in the month of July and lakhs of people congregate there. It also serves as a picnic spot. |
| Thiruchendur (56 kms): The shore temple here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and the only one of them to be built on an unelevated stretch of land. Thiruchendur is believed to be the place where Subramanya offered prayers for his victory. to his father Lord Shiva after slaying the demon Surapadma. The Skandasashti festival is celebrated at this temple in November each year. There are a couple of other temples at Alwarthirunagar and Srivaikuntam close to Thiruchendur. | |
Kalyanatheertham This is a holy pool located at an elevation of 125 feet on the Agasthiyar falls and it gets its water flow from this pool only. This is called kalyanatheertham. Near the pool, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Panartheertham:The River Tambraparani commences its course from this point. It is located just opposite the upper dam. One can reach this spot, crossing the dam by boat when the dam is full. During the festival days domestic tourists around Papanasam visit this place.
Upper Kodaiyar and Manjolai: This quiet Hill resort in the Western Ghats is about 6000 feet high. Manjolai is the nearby town and is an ideal summer resort. It is 50 kms from Ambasamudram. This hill station may also be reached from Nagercoil. One can reach Lower Kodaiyar by winch. There is also a road from one place Balmore to upper Kodaiyar. This hill resort offers a panoramic view to the tourists. Important locations are Oothu and Kuthiraivetti etc. They are the best viewpoints. The guesthouse of the Travancore Royal Family is located here and is called "Muthukuzhi Vayual." The approach road begins from Manimutharu and Ambasamudram to Kodaiyar and Manjolai. Regular bus services are available from Manimutharu and Ambasamudram. Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary (47 kms): This sanctuary is very popular with botanists and ornithologists as it has a great variety of fauna and bird life. Among the animals that roam here are tiger, panther, jackal and wild dogs while reptile population includes cobra, python and several other snakes. The lion-tailed monkey can be spotted at the Kalakadu Sanctuary. The best season to visit this sanctuary is between March and September. It is a reserve for the Lion tailed macaque. Kudirai Mozhitheri has a natural spring which is 12 kms from Thiruchendur. Nanguneri is famous for its Thothadri temple. |
| Shengaltheri: Shengaltheri is located in the Kalakadu mountain area in Thirunelveli district. It is 20 kms from Kalakadu village, and 68 kms from Thirunelveli. This area comes under Kalakadu Wild Life sanctuary. This place is a very important picnic spot and also popular for its natural beauty and salubrious climate, perennial waterfalls that adds to the attraction for tourists. In Shengaltheri the Rest House, and the watch Tower are available for a halt. The origin of Manimutharu is only from this place. One Rest House is at Shengaltheri and another P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow is near the bus junction. It is connected to all the important pilgrim and tourist centres. The nearest railway stations are Valliyoor and Nanguneri. Prior permission has to be obtained to go to Shengaltheri from the Deputy Director of Wildlife-Ambasamudram, Mundanthurai and Kalakadu wildlife sanctuary. |
| Pathamadai: It is a small hamlet but has very good cottage industry. One can see the beautiful Korai mat-manufacturing unit. It is situated 13 kms from Thirunelveli. This is the birthplace of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. |
| Thirukurangudi: Thirukurangudi, located in the western ghats in Tirunelveli district is 52 kms south of Thirunelveli. It is one of the 108 divine Vaishnavite shrines. Thirukurangudi Alwar attained eternal bliss in this place. Among the twelve Alwars of Vaishavism, four Alwars have sung the glory of the Lord at Thirukurangudi and Malai Nambi Koil. |
| Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury: It is situated 33 kms south of Thirunelveli in Nanguneri Taluk. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village. This village is covered with natural forest and ponds. During the season January to April each year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and USA, Australia migrate here. Ariyakulam is 13 kms away to the east of Thirunelveli and has another bird sanctuary. |
| Ovari: The village is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is on the way to Thiruchendur from Kanniyakumari on the coastal road in Thirunelveli district. It is 40 kms from Kanniyakumari, 50 kms from Thiruchendur and 72 kms from Thirunelveli. Nadar Ovari is famous for its ancient temple the Swayambulingaswamy Temple. It is a Shiva Temple. Every year three important festivals are celebrated. Bharathar Ovari is a Roman Catholic Centre where one can visit an ancient church and also modern church the structure is shaped like an aeroplane. The festival is celebrated for ten days in the middle of January when lakhs of pilgrims congregate here. |
| Athankarai Pallivasal: Athankarai Pallivasal is located in between Thiruchendur and Kanniyakumari on the coast Road in Thirunelveli District. It is 30 kms from Valliyoor. There are two domes - one dedicated to Syed Ali Pathima and another to Hazrath Sheik Mohammed. They are considered Sufi saints. Now it is a famous pilgrim centre. People from the south visit this centre during the September season. Every year more than 50,000 pilgrims attend the festival here. |
| Tenkasi (53 kms): Tenkasi literally means the Varanasi of the South. There is a beautiful Shiva temple here, which has a flagstaff that is 400 years old. |
| Thirumalai at Panpozhil:The beautiful Lord Muruga Temple is situated on the top of a hillock 15 kms from Kutrallam |
| Ettaiyapuram (72 kms): This is the birthplace of the great twentieth century revolutionary poet Subramanya Bharathi who is ranked as the best Tamil poets of modern era. His patriotic poems were aroused strong feelings of nationalism, when the freedom struggle had begun to gain momentum at the beginning of the century. His home has now been converted into a memorial. |
| Kazhugumalai (76 kms): The Jain temples here are among the oldest in the country and have some excellent bas-relief sculptures. The rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is also worth visiting. |
Ayyanar sunai : This centre is 40 Kms from Tiruchendur. There is a natural spring here, with water throughtout the year. A Temple dedicated to the village deity Ayyanar is also located here. This is a popular picnic spot. Nearby is a forest with sand dunes.
Krishnapuram : just 11 Kms from Tirunelveli is krishnapuram, where there is a Vishnu temple constructed by krishnappa naciker of madurai. The presiding deity is tiru Venkatanadhar. Life size sculptures carved intricately depict many a tale of myth and legend.
Murugan temples : There are two temples to Lord Muruga, one is in the heart of Tirnelveli junction and is carved out of rock. It is said that the same rock was used for the Muruga temple at Tiruchendur.
Holy trinity Cathedral: There is an elegant and beautiful church here, built in 1826 by Revernd Rhenius. This church is a landmark in Tirunelveli.
Kanthimathi Nellaiyappar Temple : Situated in the heart of Tirunelveli town, this twin temple is dedicated to Parvathi and Siva. Rare jewels, the golden lily tank, musical pillars, the hall of thousand pillars and an abundance of sculptures in stone and mortar are worth seeing here.
Srivaikundam(37 Kms) : Srivaikundam is famous for the temple deicated to srivaikuntapathiswami(Lord Vishnu). It has a lofty gopuram. The Thiruvengada Mudaliyar Mandapam is rich with sclptures of yalis, elephants and warriors. So is the ekadesi Mandapam. Srivaikundam is one of the azhwar nava tirupathis visited and sung by the great saint-poet, Nammazhwar.
Ottapidaram(65 Kms) : This is the birthplace of V.O.Chidambaram, a famous freedom fighter. His maiden venture in navigation,against the East India Company, caused his imprisonment. He is popularly Known as "Kappalottiya Thamizan".His home has been converted into a memorial.
Kattabomman memorial fort : The memorial fort was constructed here by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974. A temple dedicated to Sri Devi Jakkammal, the family deity of Kattabomman, is located near the fort.A Cemetery for British soldiers is seen near the fort. within the Memorial Hall, there are beautiful paintings on the walls depicting on the walls depicting heroic deeds. The remnants of the old fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
http://tirunelvelicorp.tn.gov.in/abcity_city.htm