INFORMATION ABOUT TIRUNELVELI

Tirunelveli District, the penultimate southern most district of Tamil Nadu, is described as a microcosm of the State. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as lofty mountains and low plains, rivers and cascades, seacoast and thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.

The glory of Tirunelveli District is the pride of Tamils. The crawling clouds on the Western Ghats, the picturesque Pothigai hills and the Courtallam water falls are the special features which make Tirunelveli unique. The district consists of all the five geographical divisions referred to in Tamil literature. The Western Ghats form the Kurinji (Mountainous) region; the Kalakkadu and Mundanthurai forests form the Mullai (Forest) region; the lands watered by the Tamiraparani and other rivers fall under Marudham (Paddy fields); the Radhapuram sea coast is its Neithal land (coastal) and the teri land forms the Palai (desert) region. The district is dotted with centres of natural beauty, pilgrimage, architectural eminence and memorials to great warriors of Indian independence.

TIRUNELVELI HISTORY

Tirunelveli is culturally very old city. To add on evidence of its oldness, in the outskirts of the city in Adichanallur, the archaeologist unearthed urns[1]containing human skull, skeleton and bones with some Tamil Brahmi script on it[2]. Along with skeleton, they found husks, grains of rice, charred rice and Neolithic Celts. By this the archaeologists authentically confirmed it as 2800 years old of Neolithic period[3][4]. The same has been published in The Hindu English daily on May 26, 2004. This assured that Tirunelveli has been the abode for human habituation from Neolithic period around 3,000 years old. Now, Adhichanallur has been announced as an archaeological site for further excavation and studies[5].

This culturally old city is called in another name also "Nellai". In fact, the exact translation in Tamil for paddy is "Nell". So, both the name Tiru[nel]veli or [Ne]llai directly associates with paddy. Just in glance even on satellite pictures, it can be seen that the city is surrounded by fertile paddy fields enriched by a perennial river "Tamirabarani[6]". It flows through out the year, which supplies water through various canals to agricultural field.

Apart from the above, it has one more name "Halwa City". A wheat based sweet Halwa is very famous in Tirunelveli, which brought this nick name . The city has Swamy Nellaiappar and Sri Kandimathi Ambal temples, which are saivites. The city has been trifurcated in to three administrative provinces such as Tirunelveli, Palayamkottai and Melapalayam.

TIRUNELVELI TOURISM

The Places of Interest and Sight Seeing



• Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary :This 1.29 km˛ sanctuary[4] at tiny village situated 35 km away from the Tirunelveli city in the far south of Tirunelveli district is emerging as a new favorite spot for migratory birds. The village is sparsely populated. Migratory birds arrive here in the month of December end and lay eggs. After hatching and growing the new borns, it flies back in the month of July to its destination with the younger ones. The bird observers found around 35 species of birds in this sanctuary. Some Painted Storks come from East Eurpeon countries. To create a friendly environment to migratory birds, the state government makes plenty of activities.



• Ambasamudram (38 km) :A small town (a.k.a Ambai) in the foothills of Western Ghats is one of the five taluk headquarters of the district. Ambasamudram serves as the main transit point for Papanasam, Manimuthar, Courtallam and for Sabarimala devotees going through Shengottai. Situated in the banks of the perennial river Tamirabarani, it is one of the most pristine and fertile towns of the district. The town is famous for its Wooden Handicrafts (Kadasal). There is not much industrial presence in the town except for an ailing Madura Coats. There is a famous temple named Agasthiyar Kovil and it was named because of some true incidents. Welcome to Ambai.



• Deivacheyalpuram (21 km) :Deivacheyalpuram is a small village situated at 21 km from Tirunelveli enroute to Thoothukudi. The Rajarajeswari temple and the Ramar temple are situated here. Also a 75 foot statue of Lord Anjaneya constructed in the temple premises, to attain world peace, is here. Poojas are performed in these temples everyday with special poojas performed every Fridays and on festivals. On every full moon day, the temple conducts Annadanam (free food to the poor).



• Tenkasi (53 km) :The name itself implies that this town is 'Kasi (Varanasi) of the South'. The flag staff of the temple is noteworthy for its sculptural beauty and is 400 years old. Tenkasi is also the nearest place to Courtrallam (just 6 km away), which is well known for its waterfalls. The water of these falls is considered to cure several diseases owing to the different herbs on its path.



• Manapad (70 km) :The Holy Cross Church at Manapad was built in 1581. Thousands of worshippers congregate during the festival season from 1st to 14th September every year. The church is associated with St. Francis Xavier. famous is tirunelveli halwa



• Krishnapuram (13 km) : The temple in Krishnapuram is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity is Thiruvenkatanathar. There are a number of life-size sculptures in this temple with intricate workmanship.



• Tiger Reserve :The 900 km˛ Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve was established in 1962. Central location: 8°39'N, 77°23'E is about 45 km west from Tirunelveli Town.



• Kulasekarapattinam (68 km) :The Mutharamman temple 20 km from Tiruchendur is known for the popular Dasara festival where folk dance artists from all over the state participate in the festival. This coastal village used to be a port in its earlier days. This place has other two famous temples including Katchiappar temple and Chidarambeswar temple.



• Sankarankovil (54 km) :This temple depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God. There is a deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half Lord Shiva and the other half Lord Vishnu. Also, there is another deity, named Avodai ambal or Gomathi Ambal. There is a sacred sand available in Gomathi Ambal temple, which is believed to cure the diseases. There is a famous festival Adi Thabasu in the month of June which is observed in this temple. Another one history is in that temple, this temple was built by ukerama pandiyan in 900 AD. Sankarankovil famous for aluva and Sultan shop beriyani,and selvan sweats.this small factory is located near bus stand.this factory is started 1960.Sankarankovil is one of the clean cities in tamilnadu.There is no terrorism.



• Nanguneri(31 km):This temple town siutated 31 km south of Thirunelvei famous for the large Vishnu temple. The prime deity in the temple is Thotathri Nathan. The temple is run by the Vanamamalai mutt and houses the famous Ennai Kenaru (oil well). About 515 years back ( ie in Tamil calendar, in the year 665) ERULAPPA THEVAR (son of THEIVANAYAGA THEVAR ) of MARUGAL KURICHI offered many villages ( like, Aalan kulam village etc ) and 100s of acres of wet land (near Nanguneri area) of his own to this temple for "the free food to the poor scheme" of this temple (Even today these land are called as ERULAPPA KONE (KING) LAND. he also constructed the KAL PANDAL-the stone roofed entrance and the MANIMANDAPAM - the present NELKALANGIYAM (STORE OF PADDY) and many SEVA to this temple and in turn, (in English year 1499 ie. in Tamil Calender on 09-Iyeppasi month- year 674, i.e. about 508 back from now), he laid the scalpture of his parents & with his wife and himself as a first footing entrance stone of this temple so that vishnu devotees entering this temple could keep their foot (which -according to ERULAPPA THEVAR - THE FOOT OF LORD VISHNU) on their scalpture. He was having the SATHA SEVA right of this temple. Nanguneri is the taluk headquarters and has a considerably large railway station. The town also has a Lord Shiva temple. There is a naval base name VIJAYA NARAYANA PURAM



• Mukkudal (20 km) :This temple village situated 20 km west of Tirunelveli famous for the large Muthumalai Amman Temple. This Village is famous for its Beedi Industries and Tamirabarani river.



• Tirunelveli :One of the famous temples in Tamilnadu is located here. The Nellaiappar Temple is deeply connected with tradition and history and also known for its musical pillars and other splendid sculptured figures.



• The nearest airport :is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) at Vagaikulam in 30 minutes drive, which is 28 km from Tirunelveli.

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