tirunelveli, tamilnadu, india, tn72

The city has both historic and puranic importantce to its credit. The famous Nellaiapper Kovil(After whom the city has been named), Kariamanicka Perumal Kovil, Thiruvengadanathapuram, Sankaran Kovil are a few examples. The famous historic temple of sculptures of Krishnapuram is of great tourist importance & known for its sculptures.

Similarly the holy trinity Church (The Cathedral, The Roman Cathelic Church are centuries old).

The Pettai Pallivasal, several decades old is a mosque attracting even the Hindus.

TOURIST INFORMATION AND NEARBY PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST

Government of Tamil Nadu Tourist Office

Tirunelveli Railway Junction

Phone: 2334788, 2334235

KANTHIMATHI NELLAIYAPPAR TEMPLE

The famous temple, speaking the glory of the Pandyas and the Nayak is in the heart of the city. It is a twin temple dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. It is one of the five sacred places in Saiva religion, having in it the well known Tamirasaba (Copper Hall) The white bull, the golden lily tank , and the musical pillars and other sculptural works are worth seeing.

TIRUCHENDUR ( 48 KMS)

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.

KRISHNAPURAM

A small village 10 Kms from the City has 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.

PAPANASAM

This holy place is on the western ghats of Pothigai Hills. Legend has it, that it was close to the Papanasam Falls, on the banks of the Tamiraparani river that Siva and Parvathi appeared before Agasthiya, the falls came to be known as the “Agasthiya falls. To commemorate the visit of the divine couple, the Agasthya temple was built there.

PAPANASAM & MANIMUTHRA DAM

Papapanasam upper dam, a beautiful picnic spot, is located 49 kms away from Tirunelveli. Vanatheertham is a fine place there. Manimuthar Dam , having salubrious climate and gorgeous gardens is an excursion spot.

KALLIDAIKURICHI: is famous for the production of Appalams.

PATTAMADAI is famous for the production of mats.

KALAKKADU SANCTUARY

It is in the whestern Ghats and ranges from Papanasam hills to Kalkad. It is situated in area of 223 Sq.Kms. The flora rangers from forests of tropical wet evergreen to tropical dry deciduous and thron forest at Macaque and common Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Sloth, bear, Gour, Elephant, Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Panther, Wild Dog, Pangoline are some of the wild life seen in this sanctuary . Besides , a wide range of birds and reptiles could be seen. Trekking is allowed with the prior permission from the officials of Forest (Wildlife) Department . Accommodation is available at Forest Rest House at Sengaltheri with catering facilities. Main Season is from September to March.

MUNDANTHURAI

There is nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from that of kalakkadu, except the absence of the Elephant and Gaur. Situated in the Tirunelveli District, this 567 Sq.Kms sanctuary boasts of dry deciduous to tropical wet evergreen forests with patches of pure reeds. Animal wealth includes Tiger, Bonnet macaque, langurs, Glender Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Chital, Wild Dog. It is Excellent for various species of avi-fauna and varieties of reptiles and insects. Trekking trails are there. Trekking with prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department can be done. Accommodation available are forest Rest House at Mundanthurai with catering facilties and PWD Rest House at Ambasamudram. Authority for the above two sanctuaries is Field Director, ‘Project Tiger’, NGO Colony, Perumalpuram. Phone 2552663

TUTICORIN (48 KMS)

This town is a major industrial and commercial center and also a harbour. SPIC fertilizer , Sterlite, Thermal, TAC, a heavy water plant , etc are located here. It is major pearl fishing and salt production center.

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 17^th 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 Soldiers are 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. It is the place where he was hanged.