Tirunelveli
General Information
Other Name: Nellai, District: Tirunelveli, State: Tamil Nadu, India
Area: 87.64 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Tamil and English.
Long Distance Code: +91-462
Importance:
Best Time to Visit: January to December
Description
This 2000 year old town grew into prominence during the reign of the Pandya dynasty. It is also one of the oldest Christian centres of the south with its twin city, palayamkottai. The city surrounded by paddy fields is known for its reed mats, palm handicrafts, palm sugar and temples especially the Kanthimathi Nellaiyappar Shiva temple after which the city is named.Location
The southern district of Tirunelveli shares its borders with the State of Kerala, Gulf of Mannar and the districts of Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari. It is located at the distance of 595 kms from the state capital of Chennaion the west bank of the only perennial riverof the south, River Tamraparni.
This twin temple dedicated to Siva (Nellaiyappar) and Parvati (Kanthimathi) is situated in the heart of the city. Built by the Pandyas in the 13C but entirely remodeled and extended in 17C - 18C, the main deity is a 'Suyambu Lingam' or a Shiva Lingam which erupted from underneath the earth. The temple is worth seeing for its beautiful sculptures, musical pillars, valuable jewels, a golden lily tank and a thousand pillared mandapa. It is one of the five sacred places in Saiva religion. The famous Car festival here is celebrated during June- July. A marriage festival of Shiva and Parvathi is also celebrated during October - November months.
Palayamkottai twin town of Tirunelveli, situated 3km east of the city is the headquarters of the Church Missionary Society in Tamil Nadu. Trinity Church erected in 1826 the Society's main place of worship has a 35m tall spire, a landmark for miles around. The Jesuit mission also has a church of St. Francis Zavier built in 1863.
Small village 10 Km from the City has a Venkatachala temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is renowned for its remarkable 17C-18C carvings. There are a number of life-size sculptures in this temple with intricate workmanship. Along with the principal sanctuary which houses Vishnu with consorts, there are also twin Lakshmi shrines. The Geomagnetic Equatorial Research Lab near Krishnapuram is an observatory centre.
Tiruchendur, the seaside town located 48km east of Tirunelveli is a popular place of pilgrimage. The temple here built on a small rocky promontory on the shore of the Bay of Bengal is one of the six Abodes of Lord Subramanya. The entrance on the west, a nine-storied 45m high tower is a prominent landmark visible from the ocean. The main shrines are the Subrahmanya sanctuary with a stone image of the god placed next to a monolithic linga and the Shanmugha sanctuary with metal icons of six -headed Subrahmanya and consorts. The temple being one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga draws millions of devotees especially during 'Kanda Shasti Festival'. Rock-cut shrines and natural caves with carvings of Subrahmanya dot the shoreline nearby.
Kulasekharapattinam a coastal village with a fine beach is located 68km from Tirunelveli and 20 Km from Tiruchendur. The Muthuraman temple here is known for the popular 'Dasara' festival when folk dance artists from all over the state participate.
Manapad located around 70 km from Tirunelveli and 18 km south of Tiruchendur, is a predominantly Roman Catholic coastal village. It is one of the first places to be visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1542 when he initiated missionary activity on the Fishery coast. He is said have lived and prayed in a cavern on the seaward face of a cliff. Holy Cross Church close to the sea was built in the year 1581. This church has what is believed to be a fragment of the true cross of Jerusalem. Thousands congregate during the festival season from 1st to 14th September every year when the cross is publicly displayed.
This town-situated 51km east of Tirunelveli is a major industrial and commercial centre and also a harbour. The port here is the busiest in Tamil Nadu after Madras, the chief export being cotton and rice. Industries like SPIC fertilizer, Sterlite, Thermal, TAC, a heavy water plant, etc. are located here. It is a major pearl fishing and salt production centre.
Kazhugumalai (hill of the Vulture) situated about 50km north of Tirunelveli was one of the important centres of the Jains. The bas-relief found here is the contribution of Jains and are among the earliest of such works. The Vettuvan Koil (Siva Temple) the rock-cut cave temple, a rare example of 8C Pandya architecture is worth visiting
Tenkasi 53 km north of Tirunelveli, was the home of the later Pandya chiefs in the 15C-16C and later the Madurai Nayakas. The town is dominated by the Vishwanatha temple, which has remarkable sculptures. The sculptures dated to the end of 17C include 2m high figures of Shiva dancing Kali, Krishna, Rati and Bhikshatanamurti among others. The flagstaff of the temple 400 years old is noteworthy for its sculptural beauty. The resort of Courtallam, situated at an elevation of about 167 m. on the Western Ghats is just 6km from Tenkasi. It is famous for its sacred waterfall, the waters of which is believed to have medicinal qualities as it flows through forests of herbs. There is a temple here dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). Courtallam is around 60 km from Tirunelveli. The nearest airports are Madurai and Trivandrum and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi. The best Season is from July to September.
The natural beauty of Papanasam a holy place, 42 km west of Tirunelveli is enhanced by the Agasthiyar falls by which the Tamparani River descends into the plains. The water drops from a height of 100m over a wall of rock, covered both sides by forested hills of the Western Ghats. The water here is believed to wash away all sins and there is a legend that close to the falls, on the banks of the Tamiraparani River Siva and Parvati appeared before Agasthiya. The Papavinaswehwara temple is situated near the waterfall.
Panchalankurichi is a small but historic village around 70km from Tirunelveli and 18 km from Tuticorin. From here the great warrior Katta Bomman popularly known as 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' raised his voice against the British regime in the 17th Century A.D. The Government of Tamil Nadu constructed the existing memorial fort in 1974. The memorial Hall, have beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga, which gives a good idea about the history of the period. Sri Devi Jakkammal Temple, the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, is located near the fort. A cemetery of British soldiers is also seen near the fort. The Archaeological Survey of India protects the remnants of the old fort. At Kayatar, near Tirunelveli the place where he was hanged, there is another memorial for Kattabomman.Located 47km from Tirunelveli in an area of 223 Sq. Km in the Western Ghats, the sanctuary spreads from Papanasam hills to Kalkad. Some of the wild life seen in this sanctuary is common Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Sloth, Bear, Gour, Elephant, Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Panther, and Wild Dog etc. Besides, a wide range of birds and reptiles can also be seen. Trekking is allowed with the prior permission from the officials of Forest (Wildlife) Department. Accommodation is available at Forest Rest House. Best Season is from September to March.
Kanyakumari, 83km south of Tirunelveli, is the southern most tip of Indian Sub Continent. This place is surrounded by three oceans; Bay of Bengal in the east, Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand. Beautiful views of sunrise and sunset are the main attraction of this place. The full moon in the month of April is especially unusual when you should be able to see the sun and the moon on the same horizon. One of the holiest places, the town is named after the deity Goddess Parvathi as Kanya Kumari (Virgin goddess) for whom the Kumari Amman temple is dedicated.\r\nThere is a Memorial dedicated to Swami Vivekananda a great reformer and saint on a rocky promontory just over 400 meters off shore where he used to sit in long and deep meditation. A Statue of Vivekanda has also been installed in this memorial.
