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Tirunelveli District

About Tirunelveli District and Its History

• Tirunelveli city is the headquarters of Tirunelveli District in Tamilnadu. Tirunelveli is the sixth-largest city in Tamilnadu. This district is located on the bank of the Thamirabarani River. Tirunelveli is famous for its "Halwa", made of wheat.
• Swamy Nellaiappar and Kandimathi Ambal Temples are two important temples located in Tirunelveli. Asia's Second Longest Double Decked Flyover is located in Tirunelveli. This district is one of the ancient and historically important regions of Tamil Nadu. The area is rich in forest and water resources.
• Tirunelveli is the oldest city in Tamilnadu as per history, nearly 1000 BC. Once upon a time the Pandyan kings had Tirunelveli as their capital. Tirunelveli was ruled by Pandyas from the 16th to 18th century. The name "Tirunelveli" came to this city, due to its boundary. Since the boundary of the city was fenced with Paddy Fields. So the Tamil name "Tiru-nel-veli" came to this district. Tirunelveli is also called as "Nellai".
• The famous Nellaiappar Temple, Papanasam Falls, Courtallam, Manimuthar Falls, Mundanthurai, Kalakkadu Tiger Sanctuary, Tenkasi Viswanathar Temple etc. are the highlights of this district. This district has the honor of being the birthplace of Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, Puli Thevar, Vanchinathan, Sculptor and Innovator of Modern Art and Literature, Nadaswaram Genius Karukurichi Arunachalam etc. Iruttukadai Halwa Shop is very famous in tirunelveli.

Tirunelveli District Complete Details

Tirunelveli Famous Tourist Attractions & Places of Interest

Arulmigu Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar temple is located in the main part of Tirunelveli city. This temple is very ancient with beautiful sculptures. Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Potramarai Kulam, and sounding stone pillars etc. are some of the special features of this temple. The goddess here is called Gandhimathi.

Sri Subramania Swamy Temple Kurukkuthurai
The Murugan Temple located in the main part of the city and on a small stretch of the Thamirabarani (Kurukkuthurai) River is very beautiful and ancient. These temples are carved out of a single stone. They were created in the 16th century. The name of the temple in Nellai city area is Sree Salai Kumaran Temple.

Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy Temple
Krishnapuram is 12 kilometers from Tirunelveli The ancient temple of Thiru Vengadar is the highlight of this place. The temple is full of exquisite sculptures.

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
This place is about 40 kilometers from Tirunelveli. The area has a famous bird sanctuary like Vedanthangal. Various species of birds come and settle here from home and abroad. They arrive in the month of Margazhi, lay eggs, hatch and after about 7 months migrate to their home territory with the grown chicks.

Agasthiyar Falls Papanasam
About 50 kilometers from Tirunelveli is the Papanasam water fall near the Ambasamudram. Located on the foothills of the pothigai hills, this waterfall and the forest surrounding it are very pleasant. Papanasam Swamy temple here is famous for being worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar. Papanasam is also a special place among the beautiful tourist centers in this district.

Manimuthar Dam
Manimuthar Dam is located at a distance of about 46 kilometers from Tirunelveli. The forested area is full of various recreational features like beautiful park, swimming pool etc. A short distance from this dam is also a beautiful waterfall. Manjolai tea plantations in the region are also famous near to this dam. Accommodation is provided by the tourism department in the dam area.

Ambasamudram
Apart from the famous Kasi Viswanathar Temple, there are several Vaishnava temples at Ambasamudram, about 40 kilometers from Tirunelveli.

Kuthirai Vetti Watch Tower
Next to Manimuthar Mancholai Tea Estate is Uthukuli Tea Estate. From there you can enjoy the forest scenery and various areas from the Kuthirai Vetti Watch Tower area which is about 8 km away. There is also a view point above the Mancholai.

Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
About 51 kilometers from Tirunelveli is a famous Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuary. Beautifully located in an area of ​​about 600 square kilometers, you can see various wild animals and birds including tiger, bear, and deer. Appropriate arrangements have been made by the Forest Department for sightseeing and accommodation.

Puli Thevar Memorial
When the British ruled India, he refused to pay taxes and won the war. In order to uphold the fame of India's first freedom fighter Puli Thevar, the palace where he lived has been renovated and erected a memorial in Sivagiri area of ​​the district. A park, Pulithevan statue, and exhibition hall etc. have also been established in this place.

Kappal Matha Church Uvari
About 48 kilometers from Tirunelveli, there is a Kappal Matha temple at Uvari. Established with a very beautiful modern architectural structure, the temple is very famous in Nellai district.

Our Lady of Snows Church Kallikulam
A village a short distance from Radhapuram is KalliKulam. The most beautiful Our Lady of Snows Church here was built around 150 years ago.

Our Lady of Assumption Church Kamanayakkanpatti
Kamanayakkanpatti is about 15 kilometers from Kovilpatti. There is an ancient Our Lady of Assumption Church in this place. This church is the place where Veeramamunivar worshiped and served.

Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple Sankarankovil
This place is about 55 kilometers from Tirunelveli. Sankara Narayanan temple here is famous in this district. Shiva and Vishnu are together in this Temple. There are also shrines of Shivan Parvati in this very ancient and beautiful place.

Thirukkurungudi
Thirukkurungudi is about 46 kilometers from Tirunelveli. It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples. This is the proud place where Nambiyandar worshipped.

Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Vallanadu Deer Sanctuary is located about 20 kilometers from Tirunelveli. This place is a very beautiful green and lush area.

Kasi Viswanathar Temple Tenkasi
Kasi Vishwanath Temple is very ancient and is located in Tenkasi region about 55 km from Tirunelveli. This temple was built about 500 years ago by the Pandya king. This temple is majestically established with a 172 feet tall tower, Known as the Khasi of the South. This spacious temple is full of beautiful sculptures.

Nanguneri
Nanguneri is about 29 kilometers from Tirunelveli. The famous Vanamamalai Swami temple is located here. Nanguneri, a region of fertile fields and hilly terrain, has a very large lake.

Narumbunatha Swami Temple Thirupudaimaruthur
Thirupudaimaruthur is situated 41 kilometers away from Nellai and surrounded by Thamirabarani. The Narumbunatha Temple is home to the Chera, Chola and Pandyas era sculptures and is filled with the finest art. The glory of Thamirabarani attracts many travelers and devotees here.

Courtallam / Kutralam
Courtalam is about 6 km from Tenkasi. Kutralam is 58 km from Tirunelveli. Many waterfalls flow from the mind-blowing Tirunelveli Hills. Chief among them is the main waterfalls. Enjoying a swim here will be an unforgettable experience. After that visitors can bath in five falls and enjoy. Other waterfalls can only be seen and enjoyed. The road leading to them is rough.

Arulmigu Thirukkutralanathasamy Temple Courtallam
Near the main waterfall is the kutralanathar temple. It is very ancient and was built by Pandya and Chola kings.

Other Tourist Places and Destinations in Tirunelveli District

• Athankarai Pallivasal
• District Science Centre
• Ilanji
• Kumbarutti Falls
• Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
• Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple
• Karayar Dam – Banatheertham – The Roja Falls
• Museum
• Nambi Malai
• Tirunelveli "Iruttukkadai Alwa"
• Thiruvenkatanathapuram Temple
• Pottalpudur Dargha
• Sankaran Kovil and Temple
• Salaikumaran Temple
• Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
• Sri Sorimuthu Aiyanar Temple Karayar
• Sengottai
• Thirumalai Kovil
• Tirukkurungudi
• Trinity Cathedral
• V.O.C Mani Mandapam