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Tirunelveli, an ancient city in the southernmost area of the country, is a city that I wanted to visit for a long time. Fortunately, I got the opportunity of doing that last winter, and it was a splendid experience. The city is one of the most important religious centers in South India, but the city has much more to it than places with religious significance. Its geographical features are wide and varied. From high mountains to low plains, mysterious forests to stunning sea coasts; the city boasts of numerous unexplored places. My experience in and around the city was excellent, and I would like to share the best places to visit in Tirunelveli with the readers.
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If a day of relaxation and recreation is what you seek in Tirunelveli, then Papanasam should be your destination. This small town had me in raptures throughout the entire duration of my stay. It is perhaps the greenest area in and around Tirunelveli thanks to the surrounding paddy fields. The town also boasts of numerous waterfalls and river streams, which are a delight for any nature lover. The surrounding landscape is breath-taking to behold, with the Manjolai Hills providing the most picture-perfect backdrop. If you are interested in natural medicine, Papanasam is sure to impress you with its wide range of unique medicinal herbs. These 100+ herbs are unique to this place and can cure a diverse array of ailments.
Set in the towering Western Ghats mountain range, this wildlife reserve is a must-visit for animal lovers. The reserve spreads over almost 1000 sq. km., and is the best place to observe the animal life of the region. The natural flora and fauna of the region are simply spectacular to witness, but what steals the show is the sight of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Many people spend hours trying to get a glimpse of the majestic beast, but I guess I was very lucky to spot one in a matter of minutes. I thought the Royal Bengal Tiger was native only to the Sundarbans of Bengal. However, Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve gave me ample proof that this regal creature exists in the South as well.
Tirunelveli is best known for its temples, and I knew that I had to visit the city’s most prominent temples. The Nellaiappar Temple is undoubtedly the city’s biggest temple in terms of architecture. The temple takes its name from the city’s ancient title, Nellai, and it is a spectacle to behold. The city’s oldest temple pays homage to the mighty Lord Shiva. Built completely in the Dravidian style, the highlights of this temple are the gopuram (central pillar) and its musical pillars.
The natural delights of the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli don’t just stop at Papanasam and Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. If you are a nature lover like me, you have to visit Kutralam. Fondly known as the “Spa of South India”, Kutralam is home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Western Ghats. It is also known for its gorgeous greenery, which is a sight for sore eyes. The most well-known waterfall of this area is the Shenbagadevi Falls. Make sure to visit this waterfall if you visit Kutralam. You can also check out the Shenbagadevi Temple, which is in the vicinity.
When I told the locals about how amazed I was by the architecture of the Nellaiappar Temple, they told me to go to Krishnapuram. Krishnapuram is a small temple village near Tirunelveli, and once I reached, I understood why the locals had asked me to come here. The village is home to the Venkatachalapathy Temple, another grand architectural marvel. Unlike the Nellaiappar Temple, the presiding deity here is Venkatachalapathy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The most spectacular architectural sight here is the gopuram, which is extremely bright and colorful. The locals told me that the origins of this temple go back almost 9000 years.
The Sankarankovil Temple is another marvelous temple of the city that pays homage to Sankaranarayanan. Sankaranarayanan is a God that is an amalgamation of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The central pillar or gopuram in this temple boasts of 9 tiers and is 135 feet tall. When I visited the temple in winter, it was not very crowded. However, locals tell me that the temple sees huge crowds from July till August every year. It is at this time of the year when the temple plays host to the Adi Tapas Festival.
Tirunelveli also has a well-known science museum. The District Science Center, as it is known, was inaugurated in 1987. Located centrally in the city, the museum has four galleries that you can visit. The main attractions of this science museum are the Mirror Magic Gallery, Digital Planetarium, and the Mini 3D Theater. Apart from the holidays of Diwali and Pongal, the museum remains open throughout the year. You can visit the museum from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Entry charges start from Rs. 20 per person.
Tirunelveli is so famous for its temples that people often forget about the legendary halwa that they make here. Halwa is a sweet that is common throughout India. Made of ghee, wheat, and sugar, it is a fairly simple sweet but one that is difficult to master. However, the makers of this sweet in Tirunelveli have definitely mastered it and you should try some at the local shops.
The youngsters of the city are very much into sports and athletics. Cricket is the most popular sport, and regular matches are held at the city’s two-most prominent stadiums; Anna Stadium and VOC Ground. You could go to either stadium and attend a local cricket match. These stadiums also host matches of other sports such as hockey, football, and volleyball.
I have told you a lot about the tourist places in Tirunelveli but I have not told you how to reach this ancient city. As it is one of the most prominent cities in Tamil Nadu, accessibility is not an issue. The city is easily accessible by both road and rail. The Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station makes the city easy to reach by train. When I went, I decided to fly to Tuticorin Airport, which is around 35 km from the city. Tirunelveli is well connected to all other major towns and cities of Tamil Nadu through National Highways and State Highways.
Even though Tirunelveli is nestled in the Western Ghats mountain range, it is quite a hot city. The summers here can be very difficult, and if you plan to attend the Adi Tapas Festival, you have to bear with scorching temperatures. In recent years, the temperature in Tirunelveli during summers has soared beyond 40°C. It’s best to avoid the city altogether in the summer months and visit during winters. The winters here are quite pleasant and temperatures generally remain between 24°C-30°C.
Monsoons hit the city hard from September to November. It is definitely a better time to visit Tirunelveli than summer. However, the heavy rains may make travel difficult and can also make the trekking trails in the Western Ghats quite slippery. But if enjoying the waterfalls of the region is your priority, there’s no better time to visit than the monsoons. Thanks to the high levels of rainfall, the waterfalls swell and look absolutely stunning.
Tirunelveli is a safe city with a low crime rate. However, as the city is known for being a religious center, it’s best to wear modest clothing. While men in the city wear western clothing without any fuss and bother, it’s not quite the same for women. The majority of women in the city wear traditional clothing. If you don’t want to attract too much attention, you should dress according to local customs.
If you visit the city during the summer months, you should take care to drink plenty of fluids. A lot of people suffer from dehydration in the scorching heat of the summer months. Extreme dehydration may lead to emergency medical situations. To avoid such situations, keep drinking water throughout your stay in the city and try to venture out from your hotels only during the evenings.
All in all, I have to say that my week-long stay in Tirunelveli made for a very memorable experience. I realized that the city has many things to offer. From some of India’s most ancient temples to natural wonders to a well-developed science museum; the city offers a wide range of experiences. The incredible halwa made my experience sweeter for sure. When it was finally time to leave, I reflected fondly on my time spent here. I’m sure that in the future, I will be back to explore the things that I could not find time to delve deep into. All I can say is that I am so very thankful that I could get to know Tirunelveli and its local culture. The city may be advertised as a city of temples, but trust me, it’s much more than that.
So, if you have plans to visit South India any time in the future, definitely put Tirunelveli in your list of places to visit. As long as it is a trip planned for winter, you will definitely enjoy the city and its surroundings.
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April 15, 2024 
