8 BEST Places To Visit in TIRUNELVELI

        Tirunelveli is one of the ancient cities located in the southern part of Tamilnadu. It is famous for the sweet Halwa. Iruttu Kadai Halwa is famous here. The places that I’m saying is in and close to Tirunelveli city.. Almost with within a hour travel. Because there is not so much places to visit inside the city. Few of them are within 1 hour travel time. You can choose the places according to your schedule. Come lets see one by one!
1.Kanthimathi Nellaiappar Temple:
        Its one of the ancient temple in the state which has music pillars (like the one in Hambi) and stone pillars. Its located at distance of 4km from Tirunelveli railway station. You can choose cab or auto to go from the railway station. 

     

        This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the Pancha Sabhai temples (Copper) that are admired as the five Cosmic Dance halls of Lord Shiva.There is a 'Mani Mandapam' in the temple located near the Nandi Mandapam with two giant pillars that is carved out of a single stone and each one is having 48 sub pillars which produce musical notes when struck.
2.District Science Centre, Tirunelveli:
        The Science Center is one of the nice place to along with your family and especially if you have kids. Your kids will have a great time here. You can also bring food and snacks from your home and eat there leisurely under the tree benches. There is a prehistorical park, fun science gallery, electronics gallery, digital planetarium, mini 3d theater.

     This center is operated under the National Council of Science Museums, Which is governed by Ministry of Culture, Indian Government, inaugurated on 19 February 1987. There will be an entry fee to get into the center, which will cost approximately 20rs/person.
3. Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, Kurukkuthurai
        It will take 25-30 minutes to reach this place from Tiruneveli. From Tirunelveli Junction one can take an auto to the temple gate and walk across. On days of the year when the river is fully flow, water enters the temple and it's closed for worship. The temple will be submerged in the river water. When in Tirunelveli, it's worth taking a while bent visit the temple and relax watching the river flow by. It's believed that the image of Subramanyar here is formed out of an same piece of rock which was utilized in making the image of Subramanyar at Tiruchendur in mid-17th century. The rock utilized in making the image is understood as Tiruvurumaamalai, was obtained from the Tamrabarani riverbed.
4. Kalakkadu sanctuary- Mundathurai tiger reserve
        It will take 1 hour for you to reach this place from Tirunelveli. If you are a wildlife lover, it is a must visit place. A worthy place to enjoy the jungle life. If you go along with your friends, you will enjoy this place and you will get unforgettable memories. It will be great experience if you can make booking for forest department guest house, you can stay there for 2 to 3 days. 

    Forest department people takes you through the forest in their vehicle. It is an adventurous experience. If you couldn’t spend 2-3 days, plan for at-least a day. Don't miss to take your cameras and there are a lot of animals and birds to photograph. You have to pay for the cameras and vehicles which will cost approximately 40-50rs.
5. Kattabomman memorial fort
        This place is a historical place not a tourist location, it has a big historical reference to an Indian freedom fight. This is the place of the ruined fortress of the late 18th century chieftain Kattabomman who fought against the British East India Company when they imposed taxes on the south Indian people, he lost and was hanged. The veerapandiya kattaboman was the first king who protest against the Birtish for the taxes they imposed on the south Indian people. 

        The place has a little left over of the monuments. There is a temple behind this fort which was built by Kattabomman. Inside the fort there paintings are there which has both Tamil and English description thorough that you can understand that descriptions you can understand the history of the fort. There will be a small shop outside the fort from which you can buy some snacks, water. There is an entry fee. You can spend and relax approximately 1 to 2 hours. It’s a must visit place for the family, kids and history loving people.
6. Varadharaja perumal kovil 

             Varadharaja Perumal Temple is an ancient temple of Tirunelveli. According to the history, King Paramarajan who was the ruler of this region was a staunch devotee of God Varadaraja Perumal. While bathing in Tambraparani river, he got a blue stone idol of Lord Vishnu.

        So, he built a temple for Lord Vishnu by installing the idol. So deep was his devotion that even when his kingdom was invaded by enemies, he didn't attend a war - but chose to be within temple praying to Lord. By answering to his prayers, the Lord Varadharaja came to the battlefield in his form and defeated the enemies. One should have darshan of this powerful temple. This temple also has a beautiful temple car which is made of teak wood, measures 32 feet tall and has 350 wood carvings. Have a good Dharshan!

7.Manimutharu waterfalls:

        Manimutharu river originates on the western ghats of Tirunelveli district. T will take approximately 1hour to reach this place from Tirunelveli. There will not be much crowd at this place as this place is located a far from the town. If you go with your family members or with your friends group, you will have a great time here. But make sure you go there before 4.30 pm as they will close the gate after that. 

          You can have great bath in the falls watching the greeny environment. There will be an entry fee to this place. You can bring food and snacks from your home, else you can buy it from a shop as there is no hotels near by the falls. Enjoy the beauty of the mother nature!

8. Papanasam/Karaiyar Dam:

        It will take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to reach this place from Tirunelveli. There is a hydroelectric power plant is located here which is being operated by the Tamilnadu generation and distribution corporation limited(TANGEDCO). You need to get the approval from the authorities before getting inside the dam area. 

        You need to do a short uphill drive for 30minutes. Then you can see the beautiful view of the surroundings. Boating is stopped in this place. Lunch and snacks you can buy from the shops installed by the local people. 

        Still there is lot of places to visit around Tirunelveli but you have to travel more than a hour to reach those places. So I have provided the places which you can reach within a hour. Have a nice trip!

Some of the good hotels to stay in Tirunelveli:

1. Regency Tirunelveli by GRT

2. TVK Regency 

3. Hotel Apple Tree

4. Hotel Afna Park

5. Hotel Aryass

6. Sree Bharani Hotels

7. Hotel Sree Annamalaiyar Park

8.Hotel Jankiram