Tirunelveli (My native place) History

Tirunelveli (திருநெல்வேலி has 2000 years old history. Pandya kingdom had this city as capital for some time. Places like Krishnapuram, Tenkasi, Sankarankoil, Kattabomman memorial fort , Ottapidaram , Kalugumalai, vettangudi bird sanctuary, are worth visiting places around Tirunelveli.

Tirunelveli is a city in Tamil Nadu, and was formed into a municipal corporation in 1994, by merging three municipalities viz., Tirunelveli city, Palayamkottai and Melapalyam, and a few Panchayat areas. Its the 6th largest city in Tamil Nadu, South India, and the district headquarters of Tirunelveli district. The city is considered to be one of the oldest in the Indian subcontinent, with a history that dates back to 1000 BC. Tirunelveli city is located on the west bank of the perennial river, Thamirabarani, whereas Palayamkottai is located on the right bank; for this reason, they are referred to as the "twin cities". Tirunelveli is also often called the "Halwa City" for its very famous sweet Halwa.

Popular Temples
Sri Kalakodi Dharma Sastha Temple Karakurichi: Is a place in tamil nadu. It is near tirunelveli. Nearest location is amba samudram. When travelling towards karakurichi from nager Kovil, we pass through, thovala, ervadi, kalakkad, cherama devi and next karakurichi and road goes to amba samudram and from their to papanasam.
A famous Ayyappa temple is situated in karakurichi, Sri Kalakodi Dharma Sastha Temple near a river, people call it koovam. Lord Ayyappais the main deity, sub deity's are ganapathy, shiva , navagrahas and veera bhadran. Here Navagrahas are with wifes, that is dampathy sametha. Kumbhavisekam was conducted last year. Two festivals are important here; that is during mandala pooja and pankini utra. A laksharchana is conducted during mandala pooja with other abhisekhams. Many devoties attend the function from different places of the world.

Nellaiappar Temple

Nellaiappar Temple is famous as one of the largest Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu, steeped in tradition and also known for its sculptural splendours. The temple is situated in the centre of the city at a distance of two kilometres from the railway station. It is a twin temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva. Even from a considerable distance, one can have a good view of the gopurams (towers). Both the gopurams were built according to the rules laid down in the agama sastras by Rama Pandyan. It is the largest Shiva Temple in TamilNadu. Rare jewels, the Golden Lily Tank, Musical Pillars, and the hall of a Thousand Pillars are worth seeing. The temple dates back to 700 AD and contains inscriptions which can be traced to be made around 950 A.D. It is believed there were two distinct temples, built separately for Shiva and Parvati, the consort to Lord Shiva, by the Pandyan kings. The Sangili Mandapam, a big terraced hall, linking these two was built in the 17th century. The towers also date back to the early 17th century. Vishnu and Agastya are believed to have worshipped Shiva here. There is also an interesting legend that there exists a tunnel behind the Ravana sculpture in the temple corridor that connects Tirunelveli and Madurai. This tunnel was supposed to have been used by the Pandya kings and their spies on secret missions.

The Nellaiappar temple car weighs approximately 400 tons and is the third largest temple car in Tamil Nadu. It is also said to be the largest human-powered car in South India. The car's axle was fabricated in steel during the British colonial period. Recently, steel rims were also used to reinforce the gigantic, yet aging wooden wheels. The Aani Car festival is the most popular festival associated with the temple, and the five cars (for Vinayakar, Murugan, Nellaiappar, Kanthimathi and Sandikaeswarar) by themselves are minor landmarks in the city.
Nindrasir Nedumaran, who reigned in the seventh century AD, contributed by constructing and renovating important parts in the temple. A beautiful garden founded in 1756, next to the mandapam, welcomes visitors with many colourful and fragrant flowers. The garden was designed by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar. A square vasantha mandapam with 100 pillars is found in the midst of this garden. The Nellaiappar Temple is bigger than the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, though the latter is much more popular owing to its historical importance.

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Kovil at Tirunelveli is situated in Tirunelveli junction. This temple is an ancient and reputed Vishnu temple. It lies on the banks of the Thamirabarani river. This area is also known as Veerarahavapuram.
Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram Temple
The Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram temple's sanctum has a Lord Srinivasa statue. The temple is located about 10 km south west of Tirunelveli, also beside the banks of Thamirabarani river. This temple is also called Thirunankovil.
Keezha Thiruvenkatanathapuram Temple

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Kovil is located in "Keezha Thiruvengadanaadhapuram", which is just half a kilometer from the famous "Then Thirupathi Shri Venkataachalapathy temple". Due to presence of red soil in the area where the temple is located, it derives its name of Sengani - Sen meaning Red and Kani meaning Land in Tamil. The name was later changed to Sangani. This temple lies to the east of "Then Thirupathi Perumal", about 6 km from Tirunelveli.


Krishnapuram

About 13 km away is Krishnapuram. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Some breathtakingly beautiful life size sculptures carved with great intricacy adorn the temple.


Kasi Viswanathar Temple

The Visvanathar Temple and the Tenkasi town were constructed by King Parakrama Pandya, who styled himself as Jatilavarman Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Arikesarideva Ponnin Permal, Parakrama Pandyan in his inscriptions.

Vaithya Lingam Temple
Sri Vaithya Lingam Swami ThiruKovil( Vaithya lingam temple )is located at Aladipatti which is 30km from Tirunelveli on the way to Tenkasi. The temple's sanctum has sri vaithya lingam swami and goddess yogambigai. The other deities of the temple for various castes of people are Sudalai Madan Samy and Karuppa Samy.
Some places of interest
The two tier over Thiruvalluvar Bridge at Tirunelveli Junction was constructed to avoid the heavy traffic and railway line crossing. The total length of the bridge is 800 metres. This bridge is the first of its kind ever constructed in India. It was opened to traffic in 1972. It consists of 25 spans, of which 13 are bow string arch, each with a width of 30.3 metres, and 12 are single tier R.C.C. girder, each having a width of 11.72 metres.

Additional places of interest include:
* District Science Centre at Vannarpet.
* V. O. Chidhambaram Pillai Memorial Hall at the Exhibition Ground
* Krishnapuram Temple
* Papanasam, Manimuthar dam
* Panathirtham Falls, near Papanasam Dam
* Agasthiyar falls, Papanasam
* Courtallam (the Spa of the South, 50 km from Nellai)
* Mancholai, Kakaachi, Kuthiravetti Hill Stations and Tea estates
* Sankarankovil Arulmigu Gomathi Amman Temple (50 km from Nellai)
* Tenkasi Kasiviswanathar temple (50 km from Nellai)
* Tiruchendur subramaniyaswamy temple (50 km from Nellai)
* Koodankulam Water Birds Sanctuary
* Navaneethakrishnan Temple in Melasevel Village- 16 km from Tirunelveli to Ambasamudram
* Navathirupathis- Nine temples of Lord Vishnu in and around on the Highway leading to Tuticorin from Tirunelveli
* Ancient temples at Nanguneri and Thirukurungudi-40 km from Nellai
* Navaneethakrishnan, Megalingeswarar temples at Melasevel Village-16 kilometers from Tirunelveli
* Nava Kailasam- Nine temples of Lord Shiva in and around Tirunelveli
* Kodaganallur Brihan Madhava Perumal Temple - Around 16 kms from Tirunelveli
* Sivasailappar Temple, Sivasailam (around 50 km from Palayamkottai)
* Venkatachalapathy Temple in Karungulam at the bank of Tamirabarani, on tirunelveli tiruchendur state highway.
* Kadana dam which is near 10 km from alwarkurichi

Halwa

The city is noted for the sweet halwa (pronounced locally as ulva) which is made from wheat and sugar. Halwa is a golden brown, semi-solid in texture and contains a lot of ghee/vanaspati which gives it the oily look. It tastes best when served fresh and hot. Tirunelveli halwa is said to owe its uniquely rich taste to a special recipe of this region, blended with the renowned sweetness of the Thamarabarani river. The Halwa was made famous by a Marwari family which settled here more than 300 years ago. The original shop started by them is the Lakshmi Vilas. Slowly, others borrowed the formula and now the halwa has become synonymous with this city. The Tamarabarani water is the major constituent of the original Tirunelveli Halwa which keeps up the quality.

There are many hot spots to buy halwa around the Nellayappar temple and near the main railway station. Two of the most famous halwa stores are Irutu Kadai halwa (Transliterated as the dark halwa store with no lights), situated near the Nellayappar temple, and the other being Shanthi Sweets. The name Irutu Kadai of the former store derives from the fact that the looks of the store has been kept unchanged from the date it was started. Till date, there is no bright electrical lamp or even a board to display the shop's brand. Ironically, their new branch near the railway station is unusually well-lit with neon signs.The shop opens for business from 5.00p.m to 2.00a.m the next day.

Tirunelveli Tourist Attractions

Papanasam
Papanasam is one of the most visited tourist destination in Tamilnadu. The place boasts off some of the well-preserved temples built by Pandayas rulers. The place also has some of the natural wonders in its surroundings that attract domestic as well as foreign tourists. Following are some of the most favored and most visited tourist attractions in Tirunelveli: -

Sankaran Koil

Sankaran Kovil is situated 56 kilometers North of Tirunelveli. The place is famous for the Chariot Festival in Adithabasu Vizha that is celebrated in the month of July. Lacs of people flock to this place on this occasion.
This unique temple is dedicated to Sankaranarayana who is the combined manifestation of Siva and Vishnu. There are two other shrines dedicated to Siva and Parvathi. Twice a year, the sun rays fall on the pedestal of the temple Kutrallam

Kutrallam, which is popularly called the "Spa of the south", is situated at an elevation of about 170 m high, on the Western Ghats. This is not only a tourist spot but also a health resort. The waterfall has medicinal properties to cure physical ailments.

Papanasam

42 kms away from Tirunelveli town, on the western slopes of the Pothigai Hills, there is a holy place called Papanasam. Legend has it that Siva and Parvathi appeared before Agasthiyar at a spot near the Papanasam falls.The famous Shiva temple is located at the bottom of Western Ghats that is very near to the origin of the River Tambraparani. The place is also famous for the Chitrai Vishu festival that is celebrated in the month of April when lacks of people congregate here.

Manjolai - Hill Station

Manjolai is 57 km away from Tirunelveli and is at an elevation of 1162 sq. metre. There are many tea plantations in and around this place. Bombay Burma Tea estate is famous one in this area. About 4000 people are working in these tea plantations. Manjolai is noteworthy for the climate, scenery and calm atmosphere.

Srivaikuntam

Srivaikuntam, 27 kms away from Tirunelveli, is one of the Nava Tirupathis visited and commemorated in song by the great saint Nammazhwar. It is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its lofty tower and the Tiruvenkata Mudaliyar mandapam rich with sculptures of yazhis, elephants and warriors are worth seeing.


Thiruchendur

48 kms away from Tirunelveli is Tiruchendur, one of the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal Sea, the temple draws a perennial stream of devotees.
The shore temple here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and the only one of them to be built on an unalleviated stretch of land. Thiruchendur is believed to be the place where Subramanya offered prayers for his victory. The Skandasashti festival is celebrated in November every year that is attended my scores of devotees.

Manappad

Manappad is famous for a 400-year old Holy Cross Church that contains some of the fragments of the True Cross from Jerusalem. It is one of the few churches in India that is associated with St. Francis Xavier.
Thuthukudi

Thuthukudi is one of the major ports in the India. Thuthukudi was at one time known for its pearls and was one of the most prosperous cities on the coast. It is still a major pearl fishing center in India though the city has lost much of its splendors.

Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated 55 kms away from Tirunelveli, these sanctuary fonts an area of 567 sqkms.This sanctuary is a Project Tiger area, so one might well be rewarded with a glimpse of this magnificent beast. Trekking is allowed with prior permission from the forest department. Although this sanctuary is a Project Tiger Reserve you are likely to sight other animals like the leopard, sambhar, sloth bear and the chital apart from a wide variety of Indian primates including the bonnet macaque, common langur, Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque.
Agasthiyar Temple and fall

This temple adjoining the falls named Agasthiyar falls is one of the most visited tourist spot in the city. The place can be reached through a 3-hour trek.

Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary
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.
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury

A tiny village in the far south, Koonthankulam in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli District is emerging as a new favourite of the migratory birds. It is just 38 Kms. away from Tirunelveli and is in the nearby Nanguneri Taluk. It may soon be catapulted into the list of popular water bird sanctuaries in the country.Kunthakulam is actually a small and natural scenic village. This village is covered with natural forest and ponds. During winter every year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Australia migrate here.
Bharathar Ovari

Bharathar Ovari is a Roman Catholic Center where one can visit an ancient church. The annual carnival is celebrated for ten days in the middle of January when lacks of pilgrims congregate here.


Kanyakumari

85 kms away from Tirunelveli is Kanyakumari which lies at the southern most tip of India where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Sea of the Bay of Bengal meet. The temple of Kanyakumari, Gandhi Memorial, Rock memorial of Vivekananda and the gigantic statue of Tiruvalluvar are worth seeing, as well as the spectacular sun rise and sunset which attracts tourists from all over the country.