Places to visit in Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It is the headquarters of Tirunelveli District. Tirunelveli is about 2000 years old and is a town of old tradition. Tirunelveli was the capital of the Pandya Kingdom for some time, next to Madurai. Tirunelveli is situated on the banks of the river Thamiraparani, it is on the way to Kanniyakumari from Madurai.

 Some of the best places are:

• Agasthiar falls
• Manimuthar Waterfalls
• Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kanthimathi-Nellaiyapper Temple
• Panchalankurichi and Kattabomman Memorial Fort

Agasthiar Falls:

Agasthiar falls are located in the Tirunelveli district of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The water of Agasthiar Falls is considered to be pure, by the local people. The legends of Tamil Tholkappiam are connected with these falls. A famous tiger reserve is located near these falls that can be visited along with the Agasthiar falls. The height of Agasthiar Falls is 120 meters.  

Manimuthar Waterfalls:

Manimuthar Falls is natural water falls flowing throughout the year situated above the Manimuthar dam. Driving there by bike will be adventurous. The falls nearby has a pond which has a depth of 90 feet (27 m). It is a picturesque place. It is in 35 km from Tirunelveli city. There are some public transport service to go this place on regular intervals from Kallidai Kurichi, the nearby town. Above this fall’s the pleasant tourist spot Kothaiyar is there.

Kalakkadu Sanctuary:

Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the midst of beautiful surroundings of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. Both the sanctuaries of Mundanthurai and Kalakkadu have been declared as Tiger reserve. This reserve is reckoned among the 18 biodiversityhotspots in the world. The sanctuary is a home to a wide array of animals like leopard, slender loris, nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, nilgiri martin, monitor lizard, mouse deer, elephant, flying lizard, king cobra, tiger and many more.

Kanthimathi-Nellaiyapper Temple:

The temple of Arulmigu Swami Nellaiappar and Arultharum Kanthimathi Ambal is situated in the heart of the city. The river Tamirabharani referred to by poets as "Porunai" flows round the town. In the distant past the town was a bamboo forest; hence it was known in those days as "venuvanam". One of the famous temples in Tamil Nadu steeped in tradition and history and also known for its Musical Pillars and other Brilliant Sculptural Splendours, this is one of the largest temples in South India.

 

Manimuthar And Papanasam Dams:

Papanasam Dam is situated 49 km from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, while the Manimuthar Dam is 47 km from the same.

Papanasam Dam:

Papanasam dam is constructed on Tamirabarani River to irrigate about 34,846 hectares of paddy field of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts. Papanasam is a popular destination for tourists. It is 60 km from Tirunelveli. It features Papanasam dam, Thamirabarani River, Siva Temple, Hydro Electric Power Plant and Papanasam Falls, also called Agasthiyar Falls.

Manimuthar Dam:

The Manimuthar Dam is situated at the foothills of the scenic Podhigai Hills. It is built on Thamirabarani River. The area features marvellous natural beauty. The spot where the waters, the mountains, and the sky meet offers a spectacular view. The dam is 20 km from Papanasam town.

Panchalankurichi and Kattabomman Memorial Fort:

• Panchalankurichi, is a small but historic village around 70km from Tirunelveli and18 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 existing memorial fort was constructed in 1974, by the Government of Tamil Nadu. 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 are also seen near the fort. The remnants of the old fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Kayatar, near Tirunelveli the place where he was hanged, there is another memorial for Kattabomman.