Tirunelveli

Related Topics:
Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli (திருநெல்வேலி in Tamil) is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It is the headquarters of Tirunelveli District.

Location

Tirunelveli is located on the banks of the perennial Thamirabarani River, 75 km from Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. The Thamirabarani contains traces of copper, hence its name (Thamiram means copper in Tamil). Tirunelveli is accessible by road from Madurai (3 hours) or Nagercoil (1 1/2 hours).

The city and its twin

The name 'Tiru-Nel-Veli' owes to a Hindu mythological story where Lord Shiva protected the nel (paddy) by creating a veli (fence). The city also goes by the name Nellai.

The twin city of Tirunelveli is Palayamkottai, known for its educational institutions and sometimes referred to as South Indian Oxford. The Church of South India Diocese is located here. Palayamkottai is also knows for its famous Central Prison which has housed a lot of freedom fighters during the struggle for Indian Independence.

It has been often said, albeit Tirunelveli is one of the major cities in Tamil Nadu, not many industries or congenial environment exists resulting in many people migrating to various parts of Tamil Nadu such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur etc. owing to lack of job oppurtunties in Tirunelveli. It has been speculated that the negligence of the government to create job opportunities could also be a cause for this migration.

Origin of Tamil

Tamil is believed to have originated from the Pothigai Malai, a hill situated in the Papanasam (a small village in Tirunelveli district). Legends say that Lord Shiva sent the two saints Vyasa and Agatyar to create the divine languages Sanskrit and Tamil. Agatyar came to Papanasam and established the Tamil culture from Pothigai Malai. The accent of Tamil spoken in Tirunelveli district is considered to be very lucid.

Halwa

The city is noted for the sweet halwa (pronounced alva) which is made from wheat and sugar. Tirunelveli halwa is said to owe its peculiar taste to the water from Thamirabarani river. Some of the hot spots to buy halwa is said to be around the Nellayappar temple and near the city railway station.The Irutu Kada halva (Dark Store halva) is one of the local specialities.The other famous one is Shanthi Sweets in Tirunelveli junction.

Trains

The major trains run through Tirunelveli Juntion are:

Nellai Express
Kanniyakumari Express
Ananthapuri Express
Koodal Nagar Express
Nagarcoil-Mumbai Express
Quilon Mail

Tirunelveli District

Tirunelveli district has an area of 6,838 km². It is bounded by Virudhunagar district to the north, Thoothukudi district to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, Kanyakumari district to the southwest, and Kerala state to the west. The chief towns are Tirunelveli, Courtallam also called as Kuttalam, Sankarankoil and Tenkasi.

The famous Courtallam waterfalls are located in Tirunelveli district. It is said that a dip in any of the nine waterfalls rejuvenates the body and the mind. The water is supposed to have healing properties due to the herbs which grow in the area. The waterfalls are often dry and August is considered to be the best time to go. Thamira Sabhai is located in Courtallam. Special fruits like Mongostaan and Ramtaan are available only in Courtallam.

Many of the freedom fighters have originated from this land. Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Bharathiar are from Thoothukudi district which was a part of Tirunelveli district before 1990.

The great Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathy is from Ettayapuram in the erstwhile Tirunelveli district. He composed poems foreseeing India's freedom. He wrote many articles on many subjects. He also wrote about the unity of India in spite of its variety in languages, religions, and cultures.

Tirunelveli is also one of the few districts in Tamil Nadu where one can find Ayyavazhi followers.

Mukkudal is one of the famous village,located in this Tirunelveli District. This village is famous for Beedi(Tobacco) Industries and the Tamirabarani river. Some of the famous textile showrooms of Tamil Nadu are also in Tirunelveli.

Temples

The temple of Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi is situated in the centre of the town and at a distance of two km. from the Railway station. The very name of the town, Tirunelveli which was known in the past as Then Pandyanagaram is a part of the town which has developed around the temple of Nellaiyappar. There are many sculptures in and on the various temples. The Nellayappar temple is in fact bigger than the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, but the latter is more famous due to its historical imporatance and tourist attraction.

This is a twin temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva. Rare Jewels, the Golden Lily Tank, Musical Pillars, the hall of thousand pillars are worth seeing. Like other Siva temples Tirunelveli is also popular among the 'Saivites'(vegetarians who worship lord Siva)

From the distance itself one can have a beautiful view of the great gopuram tower. Both the gopurams were built according to the rules laid down in the agamasastras by Rama Pandyan.

Nindrasir Nedumaran who reigned in the Seventh century A.D. also contributed by constructing and renovating important parts in this temple. A beautiful flower garden originated in 1756 A.D. next to this Chain mandapam welcomes us with many colourful fragrant flowers. This garden had been designated by Thiruvengadakrishna mudaliar. A square vasantha mandapam with 100 pillars is found in the midst of this garden.

Education

Palayamkottai, the twin city of Tirunelveli is called the Oxford of South India. The town, surrounded by paddy fields, has a rich heritage in education dating back to the pre-independence era. Some of the schools and colleges are more than 150 years old.

The city has government and private colleges in Medical, Law, Engineering, Arts, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy fields.

Science

The city is fortunate to have a District Science Centre, a satellite unit of Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum, Bangalore. The centre is committed to the cause of science education through fun and entertainment. The Centre has an evergreen science park in sylvine surroundings and is located adjacent to the perennial river Tamirabharani, along the highway to Kanyakumari. Permanent exhibition halls, science shows, interactive guide tours, mini-planetarium, sky observation through telescope etc are some of the activities of the Centre.

Cuisine

Some of the unique and popular dishes in Tirunelveli are Sodhi, Mutton Varuval and Kootan Choru. Sodhi is a delicious gravy made of coconut milk and vegetables. This is served in marriage feasts, especially during the Maruveedu(return marriage) ceremony which is the day after the marriage. Kootan Choru is a hot spicy vegetable rice made with dhal, rice, vegetables and a mixture of coconut and red chillies.

Tirunelveli is also famous for producing a sweet snack called alvaa, which is more commonly known as halva.

Interests

Thiruvalluvar Two Tier Bridge
The two tier over bridge, namely Thiruvalluvar Bridge at Tirunelveli Junction was constructed to avoid the railway line crossing. The total length of bridge is 800 metres. This type of two tier bridge constructed in Tirunelveli is the first of its kind in India. This bridge was opened for traffic in 1972. This two tier over bridge consists of 25 spans of which 13 are of bow string arch, each with a width of 30.30 metres and 12 are single tier R.C.C girder each having a width of 11.72 metres.

District Science Centre at Vannarpet.

V O Chidhambaram Pillai Memorial hall at Exhibition ground - Town

Other places

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.

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.

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 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.

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). Nanguneri is the taluk headquarters and has a considerably large railway station. The town also has a Lord Shiva temple.

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.

External links

Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu

Tirunelveli | Tirunelveli | Tirunelveli | திருநெல்வேலி

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Tirunelveli