Tirunelveli, also called Tinnevelly, city, southern Tamil Nadu state, southeastern India. It lies along the Tambraparni River slightly upstream from the town of Palayamkottai, with which it is now merged administratively. Its name is derived from the Tamil words tiru (“holy”), nel (“paddy”), and veli (“fence”), referring to a legend that the god Shiva protected a devotee’s rice crop there. Tinnevelly, is a big city in the midst of numerous small towns, each with its own bounty of beautiful sights, temples, waterfalls and much more. Unlike many temple towns, this 2000-year-old ancient city also does offer many other sites to its tourists.
Papanasam temple
This temple is located at the foothills of Podhigai in the Western Ghats. The worship of the lord of this temple is equivalent to worshipping the Lord Suriya Nainar Temple near Aduthurai in Mayiladuthurai District. The Shiva lingam of the temple is completely made up of Rudraksha. Of the nine Kailash Kshetras - Nava Kailash, Papanasam is the first place and is attributed to Sun God. Hence, the place is known as Surya Kshetra and Surya Kailash. Devotees strongly believe that Lord Shiva in this temple is most powerful and cures all kind of diseases. The temple is famous for its Chittirai Peruvila where the festivities used to happen for 13 days.
Arulmigu nellaiappar temple
Tirunelveli Nellaiappar Temple deserves special mention. The Goddess Gandhimathi to protect the world, performed penance towards Lord Shiva to gain His Blessings. To offer naivedyam to the Lord Shiva, Vedha Sharma, a Brahmin, begged paddy grains and spread them on the floor to dry. Unfortunately rain lashed the city, Vedha Sharma prayed to God. The Lord Shiva paid heed to his prayers, and fenced the paddy grains from the rain. Hence he was called Nelvelinathar. And the place was called Tirunelveli from then onwards.
Arulmigu Varadharaja Perumal temple
Arulmigu Nainamalai Varadaraja Perumal Temple is an ancient temple built on top of a hill. It is believed that Naina, one of the famous sages, performed penance at this location. There is one temple at the bottom from where the hike begins and on the top, there is another one where the sage performed his penance. Spectacular views can be seen from the top, lush green surroundings that are highly diverse with some of the most dramatic skies ever. Many butterflies and birds can be spotted throughout this area.
Ulagamman temple
Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple aka Ulagamman Temple is one of the most talked-about temples in Tamil Nadu, as the gopuras of the temple are ranked as the second largest of the state. The temple worships Kasi Viswanathar or Lord Shiva and is believed to have emerged from the ground. This temple holds importance no less than Kasi, hence also termed as the Kasi of South.
Sankaranarayanan koil temple
The very first look of this temple will clearly explain the reason for its huge popularity in this religion. The significant and colourful statues over the entrance, and the golden hue of the majestic temple is quite enough to mesmerise any traveller. The specialty of this temple lies in the story of the origin of the deity worshipped here. As you may already know, the religion of Hinduism consists of many Gods and Goddesses. Among these, devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva used to constantly debate over who is more supreme and powerful. It is said that the deity “Sankaranarayanar” worshipped here is a form taken by Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, in order to make their devotees understand that both the Gods are the same.
