RELIGIOUS TOURISM:

ARULMIGU KULASAI MUTHARAMMAN TEMPLE

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    The Mutharamman Temple (Kulasai Mutharamman Temple) is located in Kulasekharapatnam near Thiruchendur in the Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is 300 years old. The temple is situated at a distance of 14 km. from Tiruchendur.

    The presiding deities are found in sitting posture. Just below them Siva in the form of a swyambu is found.The presiding deities, facing North, are Mutharamman and Gnanamoorthy. The temple tree is neem. As Meenakshi in Madurai, Mutharamaman gets a prominent place here.

    The primary deities are found in sitting posture. Mutharaman is found with ornaments, wearing mangalsutra. Her right leg is folded. Gnanamoorthy is having spectre in one hand and vibuthi in another hand. His left leg is folded. In the mandapa, Petchiamman, Karuppasamy and Bairavar are found.

    There is a story connected with Dasara in this temple. Once Varamuni, a rishi did not give proper respect to Agastya. He cursed him to have the head of ox and human body. He would rid of from the curse through the Goddess. He, as Mahishasura went to all the places. In order to escape from him the Devas and rishis prayed Siva. Lord Siva, in turn, asked them to worship Parvati and get relieved from him. They did penance. The Goddess helped them to protect the penance. At that time, through the yaga, a baby girl namely Lalitambikai appeared. The child grew up in nine days and on the tenth day she became the Parasakthi Lalitambikai and slayed Mahishasura. The 10th day, of his killing, is celebrated as Dasara. The previous nine days are celebrated as Navaratri. Dussehra, the most famous temple after Mysore in India is held in this temple. During this festival, devotees from all over Tamil Nadu fast for 91, 48, 41, 31, 21, 11 days and take Kumbha wearing various costumes. Lakhs of people gather in this popular festival.

THIRUCHENDUR MURUGAN TEMPLE

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    Chenthilandavar Temple, Tiruchendur is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Murugan. It is second among six abodes of Murugan (Arupadaiveedugal) situated in Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification. It is located in the eastern end of the town Tiruchendur in the district of Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 40 km from Thoothukudi, 60 km south-east of Tirunelveli and 75 km north-east of Kanniyakumari. The temple complex is on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Temple is open from 5 AM to 9 PM

    Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur is one of the six major abodes, or sacred temples, of the Kaumaram religion. Soorasamharam, a reenactment of the victory over Soorapadman, and Kanda Shasti, a devotional song in praise of Murugan are performed at the temple.

    The temple, which is built near the seashore, measures 91 m (299 ft) north to south, 65 m (213 ft) east to west, and has a nine-tier gopuram, or tower gate, that is 157 feet (48 meters) high. The principal entrance faces south, and opens into the first of two prakarams, the first of which is lined with rows of Yalis. The inner sanctum of the temple is in a cave and the main deity, or moolavar, is Murugan as a saintly child, portrayed in a granite carving. Naazhi Kinaru, a sacred well fed by a freshwater spring, is located 100 m (330 ft) south of the temple. Devotees undergo a ritual cleansing by bathing in water from the well after bathing in the ocean.

 

 BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF SNOWS

 

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    Basilica is a Greek term signifying a Royal Hall, which in time has come to mean a large and beautiful hall. It is the greatest honour for a church to be raised to the status of a Basilica.

The 400th Anniversary of the Our Lady Of Snows Basilica, Tuticorin was marked by Paul John Paul Il raising it to the status of Basilica through his apostolic letter dated 30th July 1982.

Paniya Matha Church, also known as the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snow is no doubt the most famous tourist attraction of Thoothukudi.

    Its popularity among the tourists can be understood from the fact that it is believed to be visited by the great St. Francis in 1542. The church is located in Thoothukudi and is visited by many all around the year. The church is located at a mere distance of about 7 Km from Thoothukudi and takes around 10 minutes to reach the place.

The history of Our Lady Of Snows Basilica, Tuticorin is closely connected with the history of the conversion of the PARAVARS (Tuticorin), the indigenous people of the Pearl Fishery Coast. In fact, Our Lady of Snows, is fondly called in Portuguese senhora, Das Nevis which means Our Lady of Snows.

 

    She has been given the unique title of Yelu Kadalthurai, Yega Adikala Thai in Tamil which means the Mother of Refuge for the seven major coastal villages, VIZ, Vembar, Vaippar, Thoothukudi Snows, Basilica, Tuticorin, Punnaikayal, Virapandianpatinam, Thiruchendur and Manapad (Thoothukkudi District).

 

    Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica (Snows Basilica) at Tuticorin, was built during 16th century in the Portuguese architecture. As a token of gratitude to their redeemers, the Portuguese, the people from about 22 villages numbering about 30,000 embraced Christianity in the year 1535-37. In 1542 St. Francis Xavier visited the shrine (Tuticorin) to catechize the paravars, the indigenous people of the Pearl Fishery Coast, and to strengthen them in Christian faith.

  

VETTUVAN KOIL-ROCKCUT CAVES

    

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    Vettuvan Koil in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Pandyan Architecture and rock cut architecture, the unfinished temple was built during the 8th century CE by the early Pandyas. The other portions of Kalugumalai hillock houses the 8th century Kalugumalai Jain Beds and Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, a Murugan temple.

    This rock-cut temple is notable for its architecture and construction method. While the early Pandya rulers helped build numerous cave and stone temples, it is the only known example of a Pandya era monolithic temple that was carved out in three dimensions, in-situ from the top of the hillock.

    The temple is maintained and administered by Department of Archaeology of the Government of Tamil Nadu as a protected monument.

    The temple is carved out from a single rock in a rectangular portion measuring 7.5 m (25 ft) in depth. The carvings in the temple show the top portion of the temple, with an unfinished bottom. The sculptures and the carvings are indicative of Pandyan art during the period. The granite rock looks like a blooming lotus, with hills surrounding it on three sides. The vimana (ceiling over the sanctum) has niches of Parsavadevatas, the attendant deities of Shiva, like ganas, Dakshinamurthy depicted playing a mridanga, Siva with his consort Uma, dancers, various niches of Nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) and animals like monkeys and lions. Historian Sivaramamurti states that this is the only site where Dakshinamurthy is depicted playing the Mridanga (a percussion instrument), while in all other places, he is depicted playing Veena. According to epigrapher V. Vedachalam, there is a spontaneity in the sculptures indicating of natural human movements like in the Shiva and Uma sculpture where they seem to be talking like common folks. The Vettuvan Koil is an unfinished Shiva temple.

    The other portions of Kalugumalai hillock houses the 8th century Jaina Abode (southwest of Vettuvan Koil) and Kalugasalamoorthy Temple to the south end of the hillock.

    Historians have equated the temple with similar temples across India based on the monolithic classification and being carved in-situ out of a pre-existing rock. Historian K.V. Soundara Rajan believes that the temple is similar in architecture to that of Virupaksha Temple at Karnataka by Vikramaditya II during 734–44, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple built by Narasimhavarman II during 685–705 AD and Kailasa temple, Ellora by Krishna I during 756–77. Some historians suggest that the similarities in the architecture are indicative of the political relations between the Pallavas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas. This view has been disputed by other historians.

 

KALUGUMALAI- JAIN BEDS

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    Kalugumalai Jain beds in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, are dedicated to the Jain religious figures. Constructed in rock cut architecture, the unfinished temple is believed to have been built during the reign of Pandyan king Parantaka Nedunjadaiya (768-800 CE). The rock-cut architecture at Kalugumalai is an exemplary specimen of Pandyan art. The other portions of Kalugumalai houses the 8th century unfinished Shiva temple, Vettuvan Koil and Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, a Murugan temple at the foothills.

    There are approximately 150 niches in the bed, that includes images of Gomateshwara, Parshvanatha and other Tirthankaras of the Jainism. The Jain beds are maintained and administered by Department of Archaeology of the Government of Tamil Nadu as a protected monument.

    The earliest Kalugumalai Jain Beds are dated to the 8th century based on palaeographic and literary evidence, during the reign of Pandya king Parantaka Nedunjadaiya (768-800 CE).

    According to Paul Dundas – a scholar on Jainism studies and Sanskrit, the Kalugumalai is one of the oldest Jain sites in South India. He dates the earliest excavations and inscriptions to about 8th-century CE. All reliefs and inscriptions at Kalugumalai were complete by the late 1st-millennium, while Jainism thrived in this region till about the 14th-century. Like other South Indian Jain historic sites, this was also a Digambara tradition site. However, states Dundas, the word Kalugumalai means "Vulture peak" reminiscent of the legendary site in north India attributed to the Buddha for his sermons. The local traditions connect the history of this stone hillock with early but extinct Buddhism. Perhaps, the hillock was once related to Buddhism, was abandoned and later Jains and Hindus reused the site for their own monasteries and temples. Around the Jain beds hillock are several old Hindu temples from the early Pandya era who also sponsored the Jain beds. These include one for Shiva, one for Murugan, and another for Aiyanar. In the local tradition, states Dundas, the Hindu god Aiyanar is believed to be the guardian deity for Jain temples. During modern times, some Digambara monks attempted replacing the idol of Murugan in the lower cave temple with that of Mahavira, leading to religious disturbances.

Jain Yakshini Ambika

    There are 98 inscriptions related to Jainism at the Kalugumalai Jain Beds site, the largest known concentration of Jain inscriptions in far south India at a single site. These are found below the reliefs of Tirthankaras and yakshis, as well as near the hollowed out beds. Most are records of donors and gifts. Some contain information and names of mendicants, both men and women. Of the 98, 21 inscriptions (20%) in Kalugumalai mention women mendicants. This is in contrast to 8th to 13th-century Jain inscriptions found elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, where the mention of women is relatively rare to a few (0 to 4%). According to John Cort – a Jain studies scholar, Kalugumalai is an important Jain site in part because it stands out as an exception where Digambara tradition women rose to prominence over its early history. The Digambara tradition teaches rejection of all possessiveness including clothes, which leads to its mendicants living, socially interacting and traveling in complete nudity. Historic evidence of major groups of Digambara Jain women mendicants is rare, except in Kalugumalai where the local culture allowed female monastic traditions to flourish for few centuries after around the 9th, before it disappeared.

    The inscriptions in Kalugumalai in combination with inscriptions found elsewhere in Tamil Nadu suggest that for these few centuries, the Tamil culture accepted and supported the female Digambara mendicants well beyond the Kalugumalai area. The female mendicants were not localized, and they traveled and preached far from Kalugumalai.This phenomenon was not unique to Jainism, states Cort, but in parallel to Hindu women mendicants who are also named in numerous religious inscriptions found in South India in a manner similar to the Kalugumalai Jain beds. However, adds Cort, the evidence suggests that female mendicants in the Hindu tradition were more regional while the female Jain mendicants traveled to more distant territories. The Kalugumalai Jain beds mention twenty one religious places where Digamabara women mendicants travelled, out of which eleven have been tentatively identified - one being Kalugumalai itself, five in Ramanathapuram district, one in Tirupanthuruthi in Kanchipuram district, four in Tirucaranam (now Chitaral) in Kanyakumari district.

    According to B.S. Chandrababu, the inscriptions on these Jain beds imply that Jains promoted education in what is now Kanyakumari district between 7th and 9th-century CE. The inscriptions also attest to a Jaina university for women at Thirusaaranath hillock, states Chandrababu

 

NAVA THIRUPATHI

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    The Nava Tirupati (Tamil: நவ திருப்பதி, lit. 'Nine Tirupatis') refers to a group of nine Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu, located on the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India, on the banks of the Thamirabarani river. Each of these temples is classified as a Divya Desam, counted as one among the 108 temples of Vishnu, revered by the 12 poet-saints of the Tamil Vaishnava tradition, the Alvars.

    The Garuda Sevai Utsavam (a festival where a form of Vishnu, seated upon his mount Garuda, is revered) in the month of Vaikasi (May - June) witnesses 9 Garuda Sevai, as well as two palanquins, one with Nammalvar of Alwarthirunagari, and the other with Madurakavi Alvar from Thirukalur. An event in which festival image idols from the Nava Tirupati shrines in the area are brought on Garuda Vahana (Garuda as a mount) to Alvarthirunagari for Mangalasasanam (singing of sacred hymns) and to for paying obeisance to Nammalvar in the morning.

    An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on a palanquin, and his pasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these 9 temples are recited. In the night 9 Garuda Sevai by the Nava Tirupati Perumals and the two Alvars also on procession in circumambulations. A total of 11 temple chapparams (canopied-cars) move around the outer courtyards. The utsavar (idol venerated during procession) of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The pasurams dedicated to each of the 9 Divya Desams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area, and draws thousands of visitors.

ECO TOURISM:

  

VALANADU-DEER SANCTUARY

 

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    The Vallanadu Deer Sanctuary lies in the road between Thirunelveli-Thoothukudi about 35 km from Thoothukudi. It is a hilly area measuring 64 acres. The area has been fenced by the Forest Department to protect the deer. Deer can be seen grazing on the hills.

    Vallanadu is the one of the notable places where the Blackbust population exists. This sanctuary is located in an isolated hillock surrounded by scrub forest in Tuticorin district. Usually Blackbuck inhabits in the plain region but due to development of cities, agriculture and poaching, they have changed their residence to Vallanadu, Gunidy national park, Mudumalai sanctuary and Point Calimere sanctuary. This sanctuary is situated exactly at 16 kms distance from Tirunelveli.

    The forest here is not so dense and lush, mostly they are covered with thorn scrubs. And so the species living here are mostly xerophytes and thorny hardwood. Few of the notable plants are Azadirachta indica, Dodonia viscosa, Carissa carandus, Pterolobium indicum and Euphorbia Acalypha fruticosa.

    This sanctuary has got some common animals such as Black buck, Monkeys, Wild cat, Mongoose, Black naped Hare, Scaly Ant eater- Pangolin, Viper, and Rat snake. Compared to animals, birds are found in large numbers at this sanctuary, so far there are about 100 species of birds including Black winged kite, Curlew, Lapwing, Nightjar, Sparrows, Horned owl, Peacock, Heron, Stork, and Grey partridges. About 20-40 percent of the total population is occupied by Black Buck.

    This sanctuary can be easily approached from Tirunelveli. The nearest airport is at Tirunelveli (16 km). There are buses from Tuticorin too, from Tuticorin this sanctuary is just 38 kms.

    Black buck can be found only during early morning and late in the evening. There are watch towers and shelter houses inside the sanctuary for the benefit of tourists. Climate is always sunny and rainfall is very rare in this region.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM:

  

SIVAGALAI

                                                        

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    Sivagalai is a village in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is surrounded by small hamlets like Nainarpuram, Paramboo, Pottal, Parakiramapandi, Monkottapuran and Aavarangadu. The district capital Tuticorin is 30 km from the village and Srivaikundam and Eral is 10 km and 6 km from the village respectively.

    Sivagalai was once called as "Small Ceylon" by the Britishers, as it is surrounded by many lakes. 

 

    Ancient History: The region of Tamil Nadu, including Sivagalai, has a rich ancient history dating back thousands of years. It was part of the Tamilakam region, an ancient cultural and linguistic area encompassing present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala and Karnataka. The Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) saw the emergence of Tamil literature and the flourishing of trade and agriculture in the region.

    Medieval Period: During the medieval period, Tamil Nadu witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties. The Cholas, Pandiyas, and Vijayanagara Empire had significant influence over the region. Sivagalai, being part of the Tamil Nadu region, likely experienced the political and cultural developments of this era.

    Colonial Era: In the 16th century, European powers, particularly the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, arrived on the coasts of Tamil Nadu for trade. The British East India Company gradually gained control over the region, and Tamil Nadu, including the area around Sivagalai, became part of British India.

    Post-Independence: After India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, Tamil Nadu became a state in the newly formed Republic of India. Sivagalai, like other villages in the region, became part of the administrative structure of Tamil Nadu. 

    The population of the village is about 11,000, including 6000 males and 5000 females. Hinduism is followed by majority of the population, with Christians and the Muslims making up most of the rest of the population. The village has a church called the St. Trinity church which is surrounded by a lot of temples.

    Agriculture is the major source of income for the villagers. Most of the men from this village are working as drivers and conductors in Tamil Nadu transport corporation and while being as farmers.

 

 

  

KORKAI

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    Korkai is a small village in the Srivaikuntam taluk of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, India. It was called Pandya-Kavada in the Kapatapuram in Kalithogai. It is situated about 3 km north of the Thamirabarani River and about 6 km from the shore of Bay of Bengal.

    Korkai was the capital, principal center of trade and important port of the Early Pandyan Kingdom. At that time, it was located on the banks of the Tamiraparani River and at the sea coast, forming a natural harbour. Due to excessive sedimentation, the sea has receded about 6 km in the past 2000 years, leaving Korkai well inland today. The famous urn burial site, Adichanallur, is located about 15 km. from Korkai.

    In ancient times, Korkai was a well known center of pearl fishery; it is mentioned often in the Sangam literature and in classical western literature. Ptolemy refers to the place as Kolkhai and says that it was an emporium. The Periplus says that the Pandyan kingdom extended from Comari towards the north, including Korkai, where the pearl fisheries were. A 2000-year-old 'Vanni' tree is in Korkai.

    Correct identification of Korkai by archaeological excavations came in 1838. The findings of megalithic burial urns at Korkai indicates that it was fairly well populated during megalithic times. Carbon dating of the artifacts in the area indicates an age of 785 BC. The finds of black and red pottery ware with old Tamil Brahmi scripts (two to four letters in a line or two), apart from drawn graffiti of the sun, fish, bow and arrow have been dated to a period between 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD. The occurrence of Roman ware, and rouletted ware indicates external links. Archeologists have found ruins of chunk cutting factories, centres for split opening of pearl oysters at the site.

    Palaeo-channels traced from the satellite imagery scenes all around Korkai indicate that the Tamiraparani river has shifted its course progressively east and south and earlier it had mixed with sea near Thoothukudi. Interpretation of satellite imagery indicates that in the 1st and 2nd century CE, the Tamiraparani river might have flowed towards northeast from Eral, parallel to the coast and joined the sea south of Thoothukudi. Korampallam tank, Peykulam, and Arumugamangalam tank might be the relicts of palaeo channel of the Tamiraparani river. Within a short span of nearly 2000 years, now Korkai is nearly 6 Kilometers away from Bay of Bengal and 3 Kilometers north of Thamirabarani, which was once a port and in the banks of the Tamirabarani and Thoothukudi has no river.

 

ADICHANALLUR

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        Adichanallur is an archaeological site located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its significant historical and archaeological importance, particularly for its prehistoric megalithic burials.

    Discovery: Adichanallur gained attention in the late 19th century when a local resident accidentally discovered a stone urn burial while digging a well. This discovery led to subsequent archaeological excavations in the area.

    Prehistoric Burials: Adichanallur is known for its extensive megalithic burials, which date back to the Iron Age. The site contains numerous stone cists, urn burials, and other types of funerary structures. These burials provide insights into the social and cultural practices of the ancient inhabitants of the region.

    Artifacts and Finds: Excavations at Adichanallur have unearthed a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, iron implements, jewelry, and bronze objects. These artifacts provide valuable evidence of the material culture and technological advancements of the ancient inhabitants.

    Radiocarbon Dating: Radiocarbon dating conducted on the skeletal remains and organic materials found at Adichanallur have revealed that the site dates back to as early as 1000 BCE, making it one of the earliest known habitation sites in Tamil Nadu.

    Cultural Significance: Adichanallur is considered an important site for understanding the ancient history and cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. The artifacts and burial practices discovered at the site contribute to our knowledge of the region's early societies, their belief systems, and social structures.

    Conservation and Preservation: Adichanallur is recognized as a protected archaeological site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to preserve and study its historical significance. Conservation efforts are undertaken to safeguard the site and its artifacts for future research and public awareness.

 

HISTORICAL TOURISM:

  

BHARATHIYAR HOUSE

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    The century-old house is vaguely similar to his home in Triplicane, Chennai bunched with the rest of the row houses, its pyol reaching out to us from under the inviting shade of a sloping roof.  The house has thick, wooden doors and is about 150 years old. Once you enter the wonderfully cool, low-ceilinged house, (the upper portion is not accessible) you will find a bust of the poet in a cordoned off area — the spot where he was born in 1882.

    To see the humble beginnings of this great man was worth the long-winded search for his house. The poet's handwritten poems, letters and speeches are encased in a wooden cupboard with a glass top, the slants and serifs of his Tamil font visibly clear on the yellowing paper. The walls bear evidence of his glory, covered as they are with his poems, photos and awards. There are family portraits, photos of him with freedom fighters and framed black-and-white photographs of his descendants.

    Now it is a museum of Mahakavi Bharathi. It is in this house, his maternal uncle Sambasiva Iyer used to live. Mr Sambasiva Iyer himself was a Patriot and his family, children and grandchildren are now spread throughout the globe.

  

PANCHALANKURICHI FORT

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    Panchalankurichi was the capital of the Nayaka chief, Vira Pandya Kattabomman at the close of the 18^thcentury. It is situated in Ottappidaram taluk of Tuticorin District. The Panchalankurichi fort area measuring 35 acres remained as a mound. The aim of the excavation was to find out the remnants of the palace of Kattabomman.

 

    The excavation revealed the main palace with its east facing entrance in the southern end. Three rooms on each side flanked the entrance. There was a square pit about one and a half meters lined with lime plaster probably intended for storing grains. A passage with a slope to the north led to the audience hall, which is the most impressive part of the structure. It had a raised platform at the western end, built of brick.

  

V.O.CHIDAMBARAM HOUSE

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    V O C House is located at Ottapidaram in Tuticorin District and is the house of the eminent freedom fighter and patriot V O Chidambaranar. V.O.Chidambaram is one of the towering personalities of freedom movement. His house has been converted into a memorial and is preserved by the government from 12-12-1961. His statue, life history and photo galleries are displayed in his memorial. This memorial house has an area of 167.12 sq. m. It is situated at 2/119, V.O.C. Street, Ottapidaram.

BEACH TOURISM:

  

ROACH BEACH

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    Roach Beach is located at a distance of about 4 km from the city of Thoothukudi. The park is on the way to the port and is by the shore. Roach Beach has become a popular picnic spot because of its scenic beauty and calmness of the sea shore. The place receives a large number of visitors during festivals and holidays.

 

MUTHU NAGAR BEACH

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    Muthu Nagar Beach is located in the beach lover’s paradise of Tamil Nadu, Thoothukudi. Visitors of Thoothukudi can enjoy a great beach holiday at the Muthu Nagar Beach.

    Involving in beach activities, relaxing and watching the sunset views are some of the best things to do at the beach. Boating and Water Sports activities are available on this beach.

    The beach is located 5 kilometres towards south from Thoothukudi town and at a distance of 620 kilometres from Chennai. Thoothukudi Railway Station is located at around 6 kilometres from the beach. Tuticorin Airport is at a distance of around 19 kilometres and Madurai Airport is located at a distance of around 131 kilometres.