The “Green Energy Capital” of Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli, is an ancient city with a history of more than 3200 years. The city, with more than 25% of the state’s total energy capital, is an emerging industrial hub. Also known as Nellai and Tinnevelly (during the British era), Tirunelveli means the Sacred Paddy Hedge. The places to visit in Tiruneveli are also connected with the five unique landscapes and heritage of ancient Tamil civilisation, and the city is called the land of Ainthinai (five themes), which represents the five major emotional themes of Sangam literature.
Tirunelveli is one of the temple towns covered with the Venu vanam (Bamboo Forest) and is deeply rooted in mythology. According to a legend, Lord Shiva (as Vrihivriteswara) is believed to have descended in the form of a hedge and roof to save the paddy crop of a devotee. The more we dig deeper into this amazing city situated in South Tamil Nadu, the more we get closer to the history, culture and development of the region. So, if you are also curious to learn more, the places to visit in Tirunelveli offer a glimpse into the architecture, spirituality, culture and natural beauty of the region.
Best Time to Visit Tirunelveli
Located on the west bank of the Tamirabarani River, Tirunelveli has a hot semi-arid climate. The average temperature during summer (March to June) ranges between 25 degrees Celsius to 41 degrees Celsius. If you wish to travel the city during these months, then you can explore the tourist attractions early in the morning or late in the evening.
The monsoon season (July to September) is accompanied by occasional to heavy rains, adding a lush green touch to the landscape. Although sometimes during the peak monsoon, the rise in water level of the Thamirabarani River may cause flooding in the nearby areas, the early monsoon is perfect to enjoy light showers and soak in the beauty of the places to visit in Tirunelveli.
Winter season (October to February) brings relief from the hot and humid weather and makes it the best time to visit Tirunelveli. The season is not as chilly as in northern India. But it is pleasant for sightseeing during the day.
How to Reach Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli is 624 kms away from the state capital Chennai, 58 kms away from Thoothukudi and 73 kms away from Kanyakumari. Being a major industrial city, it has excellent connectivity to the neighbouring cities and states via road, rail and air.
By Road
The city is located on National Highway no.7 and is well-connected to major cities like Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Salem and Pondicherry. You can reach the city by self-driving, hiring a taxi or taking a state and privately owned bus to the Veinthankulam New Bus Stand, Tirunelveli. If you are planning a stopover in Kochi, there are plenty of hotels in Kochi ready to host you.
However, if you are looking for a halt in between the journey, you can easily find affordable hotels in Chennai, Kochi and other major cities on the way to Tirunelevi.
By Train
The Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station is a significant railway station of the state and is extremely busy. The station connects the city to major cities in the country and the state.
Various express and super fast trains from cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata pass through Tirunelveli.
By Air
Tuticorin Airport, 41 kms away from the city, is the nearest airport to Tirunelveli. But, since there are only a few flights to the airport, travellers prefer to take a flight either to Trivandrum Airport, at 150 kms or Madurai International Airport, at 170 kms. From there, you can either take a train, a bus or a taxi to reach various places to visit in Tirunelveli. If you are flying by Trivandrum Airport, you can stopover at some of the best hotels in Thiruvananthapuram. However, if you are flying through the Madurai International Airport, then here too you will find plenty of great hotels in Madurai for a pleasant stay.
Now that we have explored the best time and ways to reach Tirunelveli, let’s explore some of the best places to visit in Tirunelveli, which include ancient temples, churches, waterfalls, forts and dams.
9 Best Places to Visit in Tirunelveli
1. Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar Temple
One of the places to visit in Tirunelveli, which you cannot skip even on a business trip to the city, is the twin temples of Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar. Kanthimathi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, and Nellaippar Temple to Lord Shiva.
These ancient temples are the epitome of the vibrant and colourful architecture of the region and include various interesting sites. These sites include the Golden Lily Tank, a hall with 1000 pillars that create musical notes when you strike them at various places. Another significant site is the Golden Chariot, which is the third largest in the country.
2. Krishnapuram Temple
Another significant religious site in Tirunelveli is Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy Temple, also known as Krishnapuram Temple. Located 10 kms from the city centre, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is not only popular for its spirituality, but is also known for the Dravidian style of architecture, making it one of the best places to visit in Tirunelveli for history enthusiasts.
Another interesting thing about the temple is the Thenkallai tradition of worship, which you can see during the four daily rituals and three annual festivals. Out of which, the ten-day Vaikunta Ekadashi during December-January attracts a large number of devotees.
3. Kappal Matha Church
Located around 70 kms from the city, Kappal Matha Charch is one of the unique places to visit in Tirunelveli. This boat-shaped church is dedicated to St. Mary and is situated by the seashore in Uvari, a fishing town. The earlier constructed church was damaged by the sea erosion and the locals then decided to build the new one in the form of a seaplane.
This magnificent piece of architecture overlooking the majestic sea attracts a large number of devotees and tourists, making it a must-visit place in the city.
4. Kattabomman Memorial Fort
Built in the memory of the Freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomma Karuthayya Nayakkar (also known as Kattabomman) by the Tamil Nadu Government, Kattabomman Memorial Fort is one of the popular tourist places to visit in Tirunelveli.
The veteran was an 18th-century chieftain who refused the predominance of the British East India Company and waged war against them.
During the war, he was captured and sentenced to the death penalty. The beautiful memorial was built on the site where he was hanged to death.
5. Papanasam Falls and Banatheertham Falls
The twin falls located in the enchanting rainforests of the Western Ghats, Papanasam Falls and Banatheertham Falls, are the best places to visit in Tirunveli for adventure and nature lovers. According to the locals, taking a dip in the Papanasam Falls can absolve one of all their sins and is hence named as Papanasam Falls, which means removal of all sins. It is also believed that the waterfalls possess unique herbal and medicinal properties, and the water feels like a soothing oil massage.
On the other hand, the Banatheertham Falls became popular after the famous Hindi movie Roja was shot here and the falls received their name as Roja Falls. The waterfall is situated just over the Karaiyar Dam on the Tamirabarani River and is accessible through a boat ride and a ten-minute trek afterwards. The best time to visit these waterfalls is from December to January, when the humidity is low.
6. Courtallam Falls
One of the best waterfalls in India, the Courtallam Falls is located within a small panchayat town and originates from the Chittar River in the Western Ghats. This 60-meter waterfall remains a popular tourist attraction throughout the year. The water of the falls is believed to have healing powers and is often visited by locals and travellers.
If you are an adventure seeker, there are various other waterfalls, including Shenbaga Falls and Honey Falls, just a short trek away.
7. Vettuvan Koil
The sculptor’s paradise, Vettuvan Koil, is an unfinished temple made from carved rocks. Built in the 8th-9th century, it reflects the Pandya-architecture style through its carvings. Only the top portion of the temple is completed, which has mesmerising sculptures of Uma Maheswarar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and other lords.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the only fine example of a Pandya-era monolithic temple carved out in three dimensions. So, if you are an archaeological enthusiast, this temple is a must-visit for you.
8. Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple is associated with the legend of Ramayana and other legends of Lord Hanuman. It is believed that visiting the temple and worshipping the lord helps devotees to get rid of all the obstacles and keep them safe.
According the legend, after being crowned as the king of Kishkinta with the help of Lord Ram, Sugriva sends his force in all directions on the mission of locating the whereabouts of Goddess Sita. The team that went down South was headed by Sri Angath, ably assisted by Sri Jambavan and Sri Anjaney (lord Hanuman). Lord Ram, who had confidence in Sri Anjaney, had entrusted him with a ring that was to be given to Sita.
9. Karaiyar Dam
An ode to the human spirit of innovation, the Karaiyar Dam is not just a source of water and power but a testament to human engineering. Also called the Papanasam Dam, it is surrounded by lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, making it one of the best tourist places to visit in Tirunelveli. The dam stands 44 meters tall and is spread over a length of 227 meters, generating a total capacity of 32 MW.
The location is perfect for enjoying a relaxing time while soaking in the breathtaking views of the surroundings. You can boat rides, birdwatching or embark on a trek towards the Banatheertham Falls for breath-taking views of the falls.
So, now that you know about this incredible place in South India, don’t miss a chance to get a first-hand experience of these places and soak in the beauty of nature. Also, don’t forget to indulge yourself in the local delicacies, which include Aviyal, a famous food of Tamil Nadu.
