Tirunelveli is a big city in the State of Tamil Nadu which is also called “The Traditional Urban City of Tamil Nadu”. This city has its own beauty, and it’s filled with beautiful sights, waterfalls, temples and so many places which it offers to the tourists. It is located 84 km from Kanyakumari, 158 km from Madurai, 291 km from Trichy and 623 km from Chennai and situated on the bank of river Thamirabarani in TamilNadu. This 2000-year-old city is very eminent for its various geographical features and its believed to be an ancient settlement. If you are an enthusiast who loves to know about Historical periods, this is the right place for you. The stone carvings on the pillars of the Temples depicts the story of ancient history. Lets dig into some famous temples here which are worth watching.
Most Famous Temples in & Around Tirunelveli
Nellaiappar Temple
Want to soak yourselves in the southern feels? Here is the right place for you. Yes, the Nellaiappar temple is located in the town of Tirunelveli, 700 km away from Chennai. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, the musical pillars of the temple are a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture which looks amazing.
- Address: 162, E Car St, Tirunelveli Town, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627006
- How To Reach: Nearest Airport is at Tuticorin, 49 km away, Thirunelveli Railway station is 4km from the temple. Several municipal buses and cabs are there which can be taken.
- Timings: 6 AM TO 12 PM and 4 PM TO 8 PM
- Best Time To Visit: October- February
- Top Attractions: Musical PIllars, Architecture, Shrines.
Sankaranarayanan Kovil
This temple is perfect for the one who wants to know the religions, culture, and traditions of Hinduism. The presence of colorful and elegant statues over the entrance, the gopuram a massive dome of 135feet high and having 9 tiers, the architectural works, just enough to attract the travelers to visit this beautiful temple. The temple is also famous for the unique diety present here who is “Sankaranarayan”, the combined form taken by Lord Vishnu and Shiva.
- Address:
- How To Reach: Nearest Airport is at Tuticorin, 95.4 km away, Sankarankoil Railway station is 400m from the temple and 550m away from Sankarankoil Main Bus stand.
- Timings: 6 AM TO 12 PM and 4 PM TO 9 PM
- Best Time To Visit: August- November
- Top Attractions: History and architectural works, Statues.
Venkatachalapathy Temple
Situated 13km away from Tirunelveli, in Krishnapuram village, this temple is also popularly called as Krishnapuram Village, which is considered to be one of the best pilgrimage places to visit here. Stretches over 1.8 acres of land, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and built during the Madurai Nayak dynasty by Krishnappa Nayak. The notable thing in this temple is the beautiful Dravidian style of architecture, and famous for its life-sized sculptures.
- Address: Krishnapuram, Tirunelveli district
- How To Reach: It is located 13 km away from the Tirunelveli district which can be reached by cab/auto.
- Timings: 6 AM TO 12 PM and 4 PM TO 11 PM
- Best Time To Visit: September to January
- Top Attractions: Beauty of Sculptures(produces bronze bell sound when tapped).
Sri Kaikasanathar temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is a west-facing temple. Built-in the 13th century, this temple is also constructed in Dravidian Architecture, which speaks about the artistic skills of Tamil Nadu. IT is believed that the devotees who wish for child and marriage are blessed with wedding and child boon. Lots of devotees come here for praying for a healthy life, job opportunities, development in their career.
- Address: Dharamangalam- 636 502, Salem District.
- How To Reach: This Temple is located at a distance of 22 km from Tirunelveli on the way of Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur road. Buses are available from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Tiruchendur, Nearest Railway Station – Srivaikundam, Nearest Airport -Thoothukudi
- Timings: 6 AM TO 11 PM and 5 PM TO 8 PM
- Best Time To Visit: October- February
- Top Attractions: THe sun rays fall on Lord on 9, 10, 11 of Masi month on the horns of Nandi and reflect on the lord as a crescent moon.
Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple
With simply amazing architecture, this temple is situated on the banks of the river Thamirabarani and has three pakarams in there. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vaikundanathar, and is one of the 108 Divyadesam of Lord Vishnu and the first of the Navatirupatihis. The gopuram od the temple is 110 feet high and 500 in width.
- Address: Srivaikuntam, Tamil Nadu 628601
- How To Reach: Srivaikuntam and Tirunelveli is the nearest railway station. All the bus stops at the temple and the temple is located 30 km from Tirunelveli and 194 km from Madurai.
- Timings: 7.30 AM – 12 PM & 5 PM – 8 PM
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
- Top Attractions The Sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Vaikuntanathar on two days (on the 6th day of Chitrai (April-May) and Aipasi (October-November)) every year.
Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Situated at the bank of Thamirabarani River at Tirunelveli, it is considered as one of the most seasoned temples in South India. Committed to Lord Vishnu who is in the form of Varadaraja Perumal, this temple was built in the 12th century AD by King Verapandian.
- Address: 58A, Sivapuram St, Meenakshipuram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627001
- How To Reach: It is just 1km from Tirunelveli Railway station and 9km from Trinelveli can be reached by cab or by walk from the station.
- Timings: 7 AM – 11 PM & 6 PM – 9 PM
- Best Time To Visit: April-July
Narubunatha Swamy Temple
One of the oldest and antiquated Hindu temples of the district, this temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is 1200 of age constructed by the king of Madurai in 650 BCE. The temple is situated in the middle where the two rivers Thamirabarani and Gadana river meet. With a five-tier gopuram, the temple is huge and stretches over 6 acres of land.
- Address: Thirupudaimaruthur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
- How To Reach: It is located at 30 km from Tirunelveli, and 16 km from Ambasamudram. It can be reached by cab/ auto.
- Timings: 7 AM – 11 PM & 6 PM – 9 PM
- Best Time To Visit: April- July
Sri sivasailanathar paramakalyani Temple
Popularly known Sivasailam Temple, this temple is situated on the banks of river Gadana and is a 500-year-old Saivite temple. It is one of the famous Shiva temples near Tirunelveli, which is devoted to Lord Sivasailanathar and Goddess Parvati. There are numerous stone carvings and inscriptions carved out on the pillars of the temple and gopuram of five stories. The prominent festivals celebrated here are Poosam Theppotsavam and Rathotsavam.
- Address:Sri Sivasailanathar and Sri Paramakalyani Ambal Temple,
Sivasailam, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu 627412. - How To Reach: the Nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport. The nearest Railway Station is Alwarkurichi (3.5km) from Sivasailam. Closest roadways are from Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.
- Timings: 7 AM – 12.30 PM and 5 PM -8 PM
- Best Time To Visit: March- July
- Top Attractions: Colossal statue of Nandi.
Sri Mannar Rajagopalan Swamy temple
Known as Sri Vedanarayana Temple, this ancient Hindu temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and dated back to the Pandiya period. The idol of Lord Vishnu is 15 feet high in the sitting posture and the temple is huge with outer and inner prakarams. Here the blend of Mathura architectural designs and Tamil architecture can be seen.
- Address: Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627002
- How To Reach: Its a 7 mins drive from Tirunelveli Train Station(4 km) and can be reached by can/ taxi.
- Timings: 6 AM-11 AM and 4 AM – 8 PM
- Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
- Top Attractions: Idol of Lord Vishnu
Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram Temple
Dedicated to Lord Srinivasa, a form of Vishnu, this temple is situated at the top of Swetha Varaha hill in Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram village on the bank of river THamirabarani river in Tirunelveli. This temple is also considered equivalent to visit Tirupathi and referred to as ‘Then Tirupati”. “Garud Sevai” is the important festival celebrated here in the month of Vaikasi(Sept-Oct).
- Address: Kunnathur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627006
- How To Reach: Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli (10 km) and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai. Several buses run from railway stations which drops to the temple entrance.
- Timings: 7 AM-11 AM and 5 AM – 7.30 PM
- Best Time To Visit: September- October.
Every temple here has its own unique attraction and importance. And visiting these temples during the festivals, make it more charming and attractive. So do visit these places when you plan to go to Tirunelveli. I hope, you will have a great experience!
