Excursion
Sankarankovil (56kms)
It is situated 56 km from North of Tirunelveli. The Sankara Narayanan Temple
is famous here. The car Festival and 'Adithabasu Vizha' is celebrated in June-July.
Nearly three lakhs people flock to this place on this occasion. Sankarankovil
is connected by road & rail to important places in the State.Nearest places
are Tirunelveli, Thuthukudi, Tenkasi, Kovilpatti, Srivilliputhur and Madurai.
Courtallam (59kms)
Courtallam, the " Spa of the south" is situated at an elevation of
about 170 mtr., on the western Ghats in Tirunelveli district. This is not only
a Tourist spot but also a health resort. Courtallam water has medicinal properties
since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic
qualities to cure physical ailments. During the season (period June to September
in every year) thousands of tourists from far and near visit this place.
Courtallam
Has nine Water Falls: 1. Main falls, 2. Chitaruvi, 3. Shenpagadevi falls, 4.
Thenaruvi, 5. Five falls, 6. Orchard falls, 7. New falls, 8. Tiger falls, and
Old Courtallam falls and also known for Thiru Courtallanathar temple. It is
said that Lord Siva sent saint Agastheya to the south to avoid imbalance due
to over crowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding. Another notable
feature of Courtallam is Chithra Sabha (in which a number of mural painting
of rural deities and stories from epics are depicted in the central hall. This
Sabha is one of the five Sabas where Lord Nataraja performed the Cosmic-dance.
Chitra Sabha is made out of medicinal herbs. The wooden carved planks serve
as doors.
Papanasam
It is located 60 km from Tirunelveli. The famous Siva temple is located
at the bottom of western Ghats and also very near to the origin of the River
Tambrabarni. 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 about two lakh people congregate there. It also serves as a picnic
spot.
Tiruchendur (56kms)
The shore temple here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and the only
one of them to be built on unelevated land. Tiruchendur is believed to be the
place where Subramanya offered prayers for his victory to his father Lord Siva
after slaying the demon Surapadma. The Skandasashti festival is celebrated at
this temple in November every year. There are a couple of other temples at Alwarthirunagar
and Srivaikuntam closeby.
Manappad (71kms)
Also built on the shore, the 400- year old Holy Cross Church at Manappad has
some fragments of the True Cross from Jerusalem and is one of the churches connected
with St. Francis Xavier.
Thuthukudi (48kms)
Thuthukudi is the district head quarters of the district of the same name. One
of the major ports in the country, Thuthukudi was at one time known for its
pearls and was one of the most prosperous cities on the Fisheries Coast.( It
is a major pearl fishing centre with the Andhra Pradesh capital Hyderabad now
taking over as the centre of the, artificial pearl industry in the south). Thuthukudi
now better known for its fertilizer and heavy water plants, as well as its thermal
power station is also a major salt production centre.
Panchalankurichi (54kms)
Just 3 kms from Ottappidaram is the home of the Patriot Veerpandiya Kattabomman,
a 17th century freedom fighter. The Kattabomman Memorial Fort was constructed
by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974 while the original fort now in ruins
is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. Also near the
fort is a cemetery of British soldiers and the Jakkammal Temple dedicated to
the family deity of Kattabomman.
Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary (42kms)
Though this sanctuary is a Project Tiger reserve, one can likely to sight other
animals like leopard, sambar, sloth bear and chital apart from a wide variety
of Indian primates including bonnet macaque, common langur, Nilgiri langur and
lion-tailed macaque. The best time to visit Mundanthurai is between October
and January. Accommodation is available at the rest house on prior booking.
Kalyanatheertham
This is a holy Pool which is located at an elevation of 125 feet from Agasthiyar
falls is getting water flow from this Pool only. This is called KALYANATHEERTHAM.
Near the Pool, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva.
Panartheertham The River Tambrabarni commences
its course from"Panar theertham". It is located just opposite to 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 will visit
this place.
Agasthiyar Temple and Falls
This Temple adjoining the falls named Agasthiyar falls is located half way to
the Panatheertham which is at a distance of 4 Kms from Papanasam Siva Temple.
One can reach these Agasthiyar Falls and Temple by trekking a distance of 3
kms. Regular buses are available to these temples.
Upper Kodaiyar and Manjolai
This quiet Hill resort in the Western Ghat is about 6000 feet above.
Manjolai is the nearby town and is an ideal summer resort. It is 50 Km 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 view points. The
Guest House of the famous Travancore Royal Family located here 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 (47kms)
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 Kalakad
Sanctuary. The best season to visit this sanctuary is between March and September.
It is a Lion tailed macaque preserve. Kudirai Mozhitheri is a natural spring
which is 12 kms. from Tiruchendur. Nanguneri is famous for its Thothadri temple.
Shengaltheri Shengaltheri is located in Kalakadu Mountain area in Tirunelveli
district. It is 20 Km from Kalakadu village, and 68 Km from Tirunelveli. 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 falls which adds attraction for tourists. In Shengaltheri and Rest
House, and one watch Tower are available of facilities. 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 stop. It is connected by all important
pilgrim and Tourist Centres. The nearest Railway station is Valliyoor &
Nanguneri. For going to Shengaltheri prior permission has to be obtained from
Deputy Director of Wildlife-Ambasamudram, Mundandurai and Kalakadu wild life
sanctuary.
Pathamadai
It is a small hamlet but having very good cottage industry. One can see the
beautiful Korai mat manufacturing unit. It is situated 13 Km from Tirunelveli.
This is the birth place of Swami Sivanandha of Rishikesh.
Thirukkurangudi
Thirukkurangudi, located in the western ghats in Tirunelveli district is 52
Km south of Tirunelveli. It is one of the 108 divine Vaishavite shrines. Thirukurangudi
Alwar attained the feet of Lord from this place. Among twelve Alwars of Vaishavism,
four Alwars had sung the glory of the Lord at Thirukurangudi and Malai Nambi
Koil.
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury
It is situated 33 Km south of Tirunelveli 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 every year more than 10 thousand
birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Srilanka, USA, Australia
will migrate here and when the season is over the birds will return. Every day
more than 5,000 peoples come here and enjoy. Ariyakulam is 13 Kms away from
east of Tirunelveli and has another birds sanctuary.
Ovari
The village is located on the sea shore of Bay of Bengal. It is on the way to
Tiruchendur from Kanniyakumari on the coastal road in Tirunelveli district.
It is 40 Kms from Kanniyakumari, 50 Kms from Tiruchendur and 72 Kms from Tirunelveli.
Nadar Ovari is very famous for the Ancient temple - Swayambulingasamy (Shiva
Temple). Every year three important festivals will be celebrated. Bharathar
Ovari is a Roman Catholic centre where one can visit an ancient church and also
modern church (the structure is just like an aeroplane) A grand festival is
being celebrated for ten days in the middle of January when more than 2 lakhs
of pilgrims will congregate.
Athankarai
Pallivasal
Athankarai Pallivasal is located in between Tiruchendur and Kanniyakumari Coast
Road in Tirunelveli District. It is 30 Kms from Valliyoor. There are two dooms
one dedicated to Syed Ali Pathima and another to Hazard Sheik Mohammed. They
are considered as Sufi saints. Now it is a famous Pilgrim Centre. People from
the south are visiting this centre during the September season . Every year
more than 50,000 pilgrims attend the function at this place.
Tenkasi (53kms)
Tenkasi literally means Varanasi of the South. There is a beautiful Siva temple
here which has a flagstaff that is 400 years old.
Thirumalai At Panpozhil
Beautiful Lord Muruga Temple is situated on the top of a hillock
at a distance of 15 Kms from Courtallam.
Ettaiyapuram (72kms)
This is the birth place of the great revolutionary poet Subramanya Bharathi
who is ranked as the best Tamil poets of modern era. His patriotic poems were
instrumental in arousing a strong feeling 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 (76kms)
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 Siva is also
worth visiting.
Interested
? Book Tour through our Members
