Places To Visit In Tirunelveli

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1. Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary

Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Top Attraction 3.3 /5

34 km
from city center
1 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

The Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the country, making it one of the biologically most diverse sanctuaries in terms of the numerous kinds of flora and fauna is has.

2. Papanasam

Papanasam
Top Attraction 4.0 /5

37 km
from city center
2 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Papanasam is a small village close to the main town. The village is mainly popular for the Papanasam Temple. Papavinaseswarar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, is worshipped at the temple. Another very popular attraction of the place is the Papansam Dam, Built over Thamirabarani River .

3. Papanasam Falls

Papanasam Falls
Top Attraction 4.0 /5

37 km
from city center
3 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

A twin brother to the Banateertham Falls, The Papanasam Falls, with a drop of 120 meters is highly revered by the locals both for their immense beauty and religious significance.

4. Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar

Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar
Top Attraction 3.4 /5

2 km
from city center
4 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

The twin temples of Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar are the most famous religious sites of Tirunelveli. The two temples, one dedicated each to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the nothing less than human excellence.

5. Courtallam Waterfalls

Courtallam Waterfalls
Top Attraction 3.4 /5

52 km
from city center
5 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Set in the midst of a Panchayat town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, the Courtallam falls are renowned in the state for its enormity as well as ferocity. At an elevation of 160 metres (520 feet), the cascade towers above its green surroundings and magnificent hillside.

6. Vettuvan Koil

Vettuvan Koil
3.1 /5

9 km
from city center
6 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Vettuvan Koil is known as a sculptor's paradise. Built-in 8th and 9th century, this unfinished temple is made from carved rocks. The carvings reflect the southern temple style of architecture from the Pandya era. Only the top portion of the temple is completed.

7. Krishnapuram Temple- Thiruvenkatanathan

Krishnapuram Temple- Thiruvenkatanathan
3.1 /5

12 km
from city center
7 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

About 15 km from Thirunelveli is another beautiful temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Krishnapurm Temple is famous for its life sized sculptures and a beautiful Idol of Lord Vishnu.

8. Banatheertham Falls

Banatheertham Falls
3.5 /5

45 km
from city center
8 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

The Banatheertham Falls which is situated just over the Karaiyar Dam in the Tamirabarani River in the state of Tamil Nadu was largely unknown till the 90s until the popular Hindi movie Roja was shot here which also led the falls to be named Roja Falls.

9. Holy Trinity Cathedral and Palayamkottai

Holy Trinity Cathedral and Palayamkottai
3.1 /5

3 km
from city center
9 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

The Holy Trinity Church is one of the most famous offerings of Palayamkottai. It is believed that St. Xavier, stayed over here on his visit to India. The beautiful church is completely white on the exterior and sees one of the most beautiful Christmases of the country.

10. Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram Temple

Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram Temple
3.1 /5

6 km
from city center
10 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Another prominent temple of the region, Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram Temple is a few kilometres off the main city. The temple is located at an elevated plane and has a large flight of stairs leading up to it. The temple is devoted to a form of Lord Vishnu

11. Manimuthar Waterfalls

Manimuthar Waterfalls

34 km
from city center
11 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Manimuthar Waterfalls are created by River Manimuthar cascading down a distance of 25 feet forming a pond at the bottom that runs over 90 feet deep. The waterfall is surrounded by dense forestation and offers a tranquil escape for the troubled soul.

12. Kappal Matha Church

Kappal Matha Church
3.0 /5

54 km
from city center
12 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Kappal Matha Church is located at a distance of over 70 km from the city but is well worth the extra effort. The church is in the shape of a boat. This is so because, the town where it is located, Uvari, mainly thrives on fishing as a source of income. The church is dedicated to St. Mary and is by the seashore.

13. Pattamadai

Pattamadai

14 km
from city center
13 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Pattamadai is a panchayat town famous for its Mat Industry. The mats are made of Marsh Reed, also called the Korai grass and demonstrate the fine craftsmanship from the region.

14. Kattabomman Memorial Fort

Kattabomman Memorial Fort

43 km
from city center
14 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Kattabomman Memorial Fort was built in the honour of Kattabomman, an 18th-century chieftain who didnĂȘt accept the predominance of the British East India Company and waged a war against them. He was awarded a server death penalty after he was captured. The memorial stands at the site where he was hanged to death and is considered a shrine by the locals.

15. Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple

Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple

55 km
from city center
15 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Located amidst lush green paddy fields, Krishnapuram Anjaneyar Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is associated with the legend of Ramayana and other legends of Lord Hanuman. Devotees throng in large numbers to perform poojas for the deity who is believed to relieve on of all the obstacles and keep the devotees safe.

16. Sivasailam Temple

Sivasailam Temple

39 km
from city center
16 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Located in the Western Ghats and surrounded by Siver Hill, Sivasailam Temple is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga is believed to appear from a rock on the hill after it was flooded with milk by several cows. Hence, the deity is called Sivasailanathar. The ancient temple architecture also draws visitors every year.

17. Suyambulingaswamy Temple

Suyambulingaswamy Temple

54 km
from city center
17 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Suyambulingaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a religiously important shrine in the region. The temple is located in a serene place amidst tall green trees and close to the seashore. It is believed to be highly beneficial to take a bath in the sacred spring before offering prayers to the deity.

18. Karaiyar Dam

Karaiyar Dam

44 km
from city center
18 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Karaiyar Dam was built for power generation and to meet the water requirements for irrigation. Also called as the Papanasam Dam, it is built on River Thabirabarani. The Gravity Dam stands 44 metres tall and has a length of 227 metres and the power plant generates a total capacity of 32 MW.

19. Shivamathungai Falls

Shivamathungai Falls

45 km
from city center
19 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Shivamathungai Falls is a stunning waterfall in the region which is also considered as one of the main falls of Courtalam. The waterfall is surrounded by dense vegetation and is a perfect attraction to visit during the monsoons.

20. Thirupudaimaruthur Temple

Thirupudaimaruthur Temple

4 km
from city center
20 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Thirupudaimaruthur Temple is one of the oldest temples in the regions. The picturesque location at the confluence of the Gadana and Thamirabarani rivers make it a beautiful attraction. The temple was built in 650 BCE by King Maravarman.

21. Shenbaga Devi Amman Temple

Shenbaga Devi Amman Temple

52 km
from city center
21 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Shenbaga Devi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Shenbaga, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple is located in the natural terrain of the region covered in dense forests with the main waterfalls of Courtalam gushing nearby through the forest. The divine vibe of the presiding deity draws devotees every day.

22. Srivaikuntam

Srivaikuntam

26 km
from city center
22 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Located on the banks of River Tamirabarani, Srivaikuntam is a scenic panchayat famous for its temples and rich culture. The ancient Srivaikuntam Perumal Temple in the town is a famous attraction dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is said to have slain a demon at the location.

23. Tenkasi

Tenkasi

50 km
from city center
23 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Tenkasi is famous for its temple which is believed to be built by a Pandyan King, King Arikeari Parakrama after Lord Vishwanatha appeared in his dream and instructed him to do so. The temple architecture has several inscriptions and carvings of mythological figures.

24. Ambasamudram

Ambasamudram

27 km
from city center
24 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Located on the foothills of the Western Ghats, Ambasamudram is a taluk in the region famous for the ancient Kasibanathaswamy and Lrishnaswamy Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively.

25. Nanguneri

Nanguneri

27 km
from city center
25 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Nanguneri is a little town famous for the Todari Mutt, a Vaishnavite temple, where it is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in front of Indra, Brahma and Bhrigu Muni. The panchayat town is one of the Divya Desams. It is a religiously important location as it is also a Swayamvyakta Kshetra.

26. Sengottai

Sengottai

57 km
from city center
26 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Named after the fort at the entrance of the town, Sengottai is an attraction famous for its rich culture. An independence activist, Vanchinathan, from Sengottai had shot the then Collector, Robert William dĂȘEscourt Ashe and later committed suicide to escape the arrest. The place, thus, also has historic significance in the region. 

27. Manjolai

Manjolai

36 km
from city center
27 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Manjolai is a beautiful hill station located in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The hill station is famous for tea plantations, the Manimuthur Dam and the Manimuthur waterfalls surrounded by natural surroundings making it a perfect attraction for nature lovers.

28. Manimuthar Dam

Manimuthar Dam

6 km
from city center
28 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Manimuthar Dam is an engineering marvel that was built in 1958 to prevent the rainwater from entering the Bay of Bengal and using it for irrigation purposes. The 5,500 million cubic feet dam has 7 chute spillways and can hold water up to 120 feet.

29. Government Archaeological Museum

Government Archaeological Museum

5 km
from city center
29 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

Established in 1992, Government Archaeological Museum has an interesting collection of archaeological, historical, zoological, botanical samples and artefacts found the surrounding regions. A gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex made of fibreglass is a must-see at the museum.

30. District Science Centre

District Science Centre

2 km
from city center
30 out of 30
Places To Visit in Tirunelveli

District Science Centre has a Science Park and Gallery for the Teasures from the Ocean. The centre was opened in 1987 and is a popular attraction amongst nature lovers and technology enthusiasts. The place is actively involved in Workshops, Training and Science Camps to supplement the education in science in schools and colleges.

FAQs on Tirunelveli

What are the top sightseeing places in Tirunelveli?

The top sightseeing places in Tirunelveli are Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Papanasam, Agasthiyar falls, Papanasam Falls, Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar, Courtallam Waterfalls.

What are the top restaurants in Tirunelveli?

The best places to eat in Tirunelveli are King's Chic, Annapurna Hotel, Central Cafe, Iruttu Kadai Lala Halwa Shop, Maruthi Restaurant, Nanthana Restaurant. You can see all the places to eat in Tirunelveli here

How can I commute within Tirunelveli?

Being a major city of Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli does not have any problems when it comes to intra city commuting. Taxis and rickshaws are very easy to find. The intra city bus services are very efficient. Buses are run by the Tirunelveli Municipal corporation and bus stands are spread out all over the city.
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Can you suggest an itinerary for Tirunelveli?

Day 1 - Have a hearty breakfast in one of the local hotels. Visit the Nellaiappar Temple. Then, visit the Kattabomman Memorial Fort, located about 70 km from the city.
Day 2 - Visit the Papanasam Falls and the Manimutharu dam. In the evening, check out the local market and street food.
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