Tirunelveli district

Tirunelveli district is the penultimate southern most district of southern state of Tamilnadu in India. Its headquarters is Tirunelveli. The district has diverse geographical and physical features. It has a lofty mountains a stretch of Western Ghats and low plains. It has a perennial river Tamirabarani and various other small seasonal rivers. This district is blessed with beautiful water falls and cascades. Its diverse features include sandy soil and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna and protected wild life. To add its beauty it has inland and mountaneous forests. The unique feature of this district is that it consists of all the five geographical traditions referred in Tamil Literature such as Kurinji (mountains), Mullai(forest),Marudham(pady fields),Neithal(coastal) and Palai(desert).

Tirunelveli District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters.

Tirunelveli District is located between 08^o 8’ and 09^o 23’ N latitude and 77^o 09’ and 77^o 54’ E longitude. The total geographical area of the district is 6,824 km². The district is surrounded by the State of Kerala and Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve to the west, Gulf of Mannar to the southeast and the districts of Virudhunagar to the north, Thoothukudi to the east and Kanniyakumari to the southwest.

Demographics

It had a population of 2,723,988 in 2001. It is 48.03% urbanised.

The district has a literacy of 76.97%, higher than the state average.

History

On acquisition from the Nawab of Arcot in 1801, the British named it as Tinnevelly district though their headquarters was first located in Palayamkottai the adjacent town, where they had their military headquarters during their operations against the Palayakars. Ther are three reasons attributed for naming the district after Tirunelveli. The prime one is that it has been serving as the chief town of the district and the second one is that it has been called called as Tirunelveli Seemai under the Nayaks and Nawabs. Finally it served as the south capital in the period of Pandyan Kingdom. Both Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai grew as the twin towns of the district.

In 1986, Tirunelveli district was split into two districts for administrative purpose such as Chidambaranar (present-day Thoothukudi) and Nellai-Kattabomman (later Tirunelveli-Kattabomman, present-day Tirunelveli) districts. This is one of the Ayyavazhi populated districts of Tamil Nadu. The Ayya Vaikunda Avataram was announced as a holiday for the district.

Irrigation

The Agasthiyamalai hills, cut of Tirunelveli from the southwest monsoon, creating a rainshadow region

Tirunelveli District benefits from the southwest monsoon and the north-east monsoon. The district is irrigated by the rivers originating in Western Ghats, like the Pachaiyar River which soon mergers with the Tambaraparani River. The Tambaraparani River and the Manimuthar River both have many anicuts and dams with resevoirs that provide water for both agriculture irrigation and power generation. The total rainfall is light but it is generally evenly distributed. The Tamiraparani River provides consistent irrigation to a large agricultural area. There are several tanks and wells that provide the other source of irrigation.

Courtallam

It is a famous tourist detination 59 kms away from Tirunelveli city. The natural water falls, pleasant weather and intermittent drizzling really gives an unusual charm to the visitors. The rapturous scene of the falls gets heightened by cool breeze. Usually, the season is in between May to September. Courtallam Waterfalls - The water falls down in eight places with varying force depends on the height of the cliff.

1. Main Falls
2. Small Falls (Sitraruvi)
3. Five Falls
4. VIP Falls or (Palathotta Falls)
5. Tiger Falls
6. old Courtallam Falls
7. SenbahaDevi Falls
8. Honey Falls (thean aruvi)

The state tourism has arranged facilities for the visitors for taking bath at any time like 24 hours. All the falls, except Honey falls, have been properly illuminated. One can bath at anytime in a day and one would not get sneezing or cold as the water is said to possess medicinal qualities of the herbal plants grown in this mountain. Those suffering from rheumatic joints, chronic headache, nerve disorder get cured by a long stay at Courtallam.

Many rivers originate in this district, including the Tambaraparani River and the Chittar River.

Manimuthar Falls

It is a natural water falls flowing through out the year situated above the Manimuthar dam. Really it is an adventorous feeling, if people drive there by bike. The falls near by has a pond which has a depth of 90 feet. It is really a picturesqe place. It is just in 35kms from Tirunelveli city. There is no public transport service to go this place. The private cabs are offering the service from Tirunelveli.

Bird Sanctuary at Koothankulam

A tiny village situated 35 kms 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 flys 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 are coming 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 names because of some true incidents.

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 5 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.

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 km² 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 sulthan shop beriyani

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 calender, 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 inturn, (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 sculptural figures.

The nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) at Vagaikulam which is 28 kms from Tirunelveli.

External links

• Tirunelveli District