Daily Archives: July 17, 2018

MANIMUTHAR AND PAPANASAM DAMS

17Jul

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At a distance of 16 km from Papanasam and 45 km from Tirunelveli, Manimuthar Dam is an artificial dam in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the largest dams in Tirunelveli district and also one of the top places to visit in Tirunelveli.

Situated at the foothills of the scenic Podhigai Hills, Manimuthar Dam was built across the Manimuthar River just three km above its confluence with Thamirabarani River in 1957. The maximum storage capacity of the dam is 118 feet. The river Manimuthar is the major tributary of Thamirabarani. The Dam is an ideal picnic spot blessed with beautiful garden and peaceful atmosphere. Boating in this picturesque dam is one of the most memorable things to do in Tirunelveli.

About 6 km from Manimuthar Dam is Manimuthar Falls which is created by the waters of Manimuthar River. This natural waterfall cascades down from a height of 25 feet into a pond. The pond is 90 feet in deep and is very dangerous. The water is so fresh and less crowded compare to Courtallam. It is a picturesque place. There are some public transport services to go this place on regular intervals from Kallidai Kurichi, the nearby town. There is a forest check post on the way to the falls where visitor need to sign & pay the entry fee for the falls.

Manimuthar Falls Entry: Rs. 25 for Person & Rs. 25 for Camera

DETAILS

Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli): 45 Kms

Trip Duration (From Papanasam , Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day

OLD COURTALLAM

17Jul

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At a distance of 8 km from Main Falls, 8 km from Courtallam Bus Station and 11 km from Tenkasi, Pazhaya Courtallaruvi or Old Courtallam is also known as Shivamathungai Falls.

The 200 ft fall features steps that are cut out into the rocks for breaking flow of the cascading water to make it safe for bathing. The water flows through two rocks and drop into the valley to form this waterfall. Along with separate bathing areas for men and women, tourists can engage themselves in oil massages. Bathing here is safe and is a popular activity.

Road access is available close to the falls and about 100 meters walk is needed to reach the falls from parking area.

Tiger Falls or Puli Aruvi is situated 2 km from Courtallam bus stand. It is situated between the Main Falls and Old Courtallam. This artificial falls has a moderate flow of water which is collected into a lake and is diverted for irrigation. This falls is situated inside a private property. There is a Sastha Temple and a Bathing Ghat for pilgrims. It is a perfect and safe place for children to enjoy. There is also an old palace, now a private property.

DETAILS

Distance (From Tenkasi Bus Station): 11 Kms

Trip Duration (From Courtallam Main Falls , Including Travel): 1 Hour

AGASTHIYAR FALLS

17Jul

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At a distance of 4 km from Papanasam and 51 km from Tirunelveli, Papanasam Falls, also known as Agasthiyar Falls is a stunning waterfall located near the town of Papanasam in Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. Located in the Western Ghats, Papanasam Falls is a prominent tourist destination in Tamil Nadu and is usually frequented by devotees of the Papanasanathar Temple.

Formed over Thamirabarani River, Papanasam Falls drop down from a height of 120 m. The river Thamirabarani, which flows from the Western Ghats of the Podhigai Hills, reaches the plains at Papanasam. This is highly revered by the locals both for their immense beauty and religious significance. Papanasam means absolution of sins and it is an important pilgrim center where people take bath in the sacred water to relieve themselves from sins.

Agasthiyar Temple is situated near the falls. According to legend, during the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati, all the Gods and Goddesses from Heaven had gone to Mount Kailash. On the order of Lord Shiva, Agasthiyar came to Papanasam to balance the world. After the wedding, Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati appeared to Agasthiyar Munivar, who is meditating at Papanasam. Every year his idol is brought out as a procession to the Papanasanathar Temple to witness the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati.

Papanasam Falls can be reached by 3 km trekking or one can hire an auto from Papanasam Town. The place is frequented by animals like Tigers and Panthers, which are frequently spotted in the route from Agasthiyar Falls to Papanasam as both are located close to Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Good place to go with children and safe place to take bath.

The best season to visit this fall is after monsoon.

DETAILS

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli): 51 Kms

Trip Duration (From Papanasam , Including Travel): 3 Hours

SRI KANTHIMATHI NELLAIAPPAR TEMPLE

17Jul

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At a distance of 4 km from Tirunelveli Railway Station, Nellaiappar Temple is a popular Hindu Temple situated on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Tirunelveli. This is one of the largest temples in Tamil Nadu and also one of the best places to visit in Tirunelveli.

Sri Nellaiappar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the history, both the gopurams were built by Pandiyas and the sanctums of the temple were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran who ruled in the 7th century CE. This is one of the Pancha Sabha temples (Copper) that are revered as the five Cosmic Dance halls of Lord Shiva. The other four are Chidambaram with gold, Madurai with silver, Tiruvalankadu with ruby and Kutralam with images.

Nellaiappar Temple is spread over an area of 14 acres and is one of the biggest temples in Pandiya Naadu. The temple complex consists of two temples, one for Lord Shiva and the other one for Kanthimathi Amman. Lord Shiva is named as Nellaiappar in this temple. Chain Mandapam built in 1647 by Vadamalaiyappa Pillayan connects the Kanthimathi Amman and Nellaiappar temples.

The unique feature of the temple is the ‘Mani Mandapam’ located near the Nandi Mandapam with two giant pillars carved out of a single stone and each one is having 48 sub pillars which produce musical notes when struck. The 96-pillared Unjal Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Artha Mandapam are fine specimens of intricate workmanship. There is a 1000 Pillared Hall which is famous for the celestial wedding of Kanthimathi Amman with Nellaiappar.

There are several sacred Theerthams within the temple surroundings. The beautiful Golden Lotus Tank, where Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in the water and Brahma as lotus, attracts the visitors’ attention.

The Annual Car Festival is the most famous festival in this temple. Also known an ‘Aani festival’, it falls during the month of June-July and is celebrated for 10 days with great pomp and fervor. Navaratri festival, Tirukkalyanam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) and Arudra Darshanam are the other main festivals celebrated here.

DETAILS

Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 9 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli Railway Station): 4 Kms

Trip Duration (From Tirunelveli Railway Station, Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

SRIVAIKUNTAM TEMPLE

17Jul

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At a distance of 29 km from Tirunelveli and 39 km from Thoothukudi, Sri Vaikuntanatha Perumal Temple is an ancient temple situated at Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district of Tamilnadu. Located on the banks of the river Thamirabarani, this is one of the 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu and the first of the Navatirupathis.

Also called Srivaikuntam Temple and Kallapiran Temple, Sri Vaikuntanatha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntanathar. It is believed that this temple was used as a fort in the fight between the legendary freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the British in the 1800s. The temple is classified as a Navatirupathi, the nine temples revered by Nammazhwar located on the banks of Thamirabarani River. This is the first in the series of these nine Tirupathi Temples.

There are many legends associated with this temple. According to one legend, Somuka, a demon stole the four Vedas from Lord Brahma. Brahma was helpless and he did severe penance on the banks of Thamirabarani River seeking favour from Lord Vishnu. Pleased with the penance of Brahma, Vishnu agreed to help Brahma. Vishnu killed the demon and restored the Vedas to Brahma. Lord Vishnu set his abode as Srivaikuntam and resided there as Vaikuntanathar. Another story goes that the Lord, disguised as the thief, presented himself before the King to save the thief Kaaladhushakan, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hence, the Lord here is also known as ‘Kallapiran’.

The architecture of the temple is simply amazing and there are three prakarams in the temple. The temple gopuram is 110 feet in height and 500 feet in width. The sanctum houses the image of Sri Vaikuntanathar in standing posture with a mace in his hand. Adisesha, the serpent god, unfurls his hood over Vishnu. This is the only divya desam where Adisesha has his hood above the standing Lord. There are shrines to Krishna, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hanuman, and Tiruvenkatamudaiyar. The Tiruvenkatamudaiyar Mandapam is rich with sculptures of Yallis, Elephants and Warriors.

The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in Vaishnavism, associated with Surya, the Sun god. The unique feature of this temple is that the Sun’s rays falls directly on Lord Vaikuntanathar on two days (on the 6th day of Chitrai (April-May) and Aipasi (October-November)) every year.

The Garuda Sevai festival is a spectacular event held in the month of Vaikasi (May-Jun) at this temple. During the festival, the festival idols from Navatirupathi temples are brought here on Garuda vahana.

DETAILS

Timings: 7.30 AM – 12 PM & 5 PM – 8 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli): 29 Kms

Trip Duration (From Tirunelveli, Including Travel): 3 Hours

DISTRICT SCIENCE CENTER, TIRUNELVELI

17Jul

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At a distance of 1.5 km from Tirunelveli Railway Station, District Science Centre is a museum situated on the banks of Thamirabarani River at Palayamkottai of Tirunelveli town in Tamilnadu state. It is part of the National Council of Science Museums and is among the 124 science centers in India.

The District Science Centre was opened to the public on 27th February 1987 with a gallery on ‘Treasures from Ocean’ and a Science Park. Soon the Centre became one of the most popular centers in NCSM network with the spontaneous support of the local community. The Centre aim is to popularize science and technology among public and to supplement science education in schools and colleges to foster a spirit of scientific enquiry among the students.

At present, the Centre has four galleries on the topics ‘Fun Science’, ‘Popular Science’, ‘Electronics’ and a ‘New Wing of Electronics’. It has a well-equipped planetarium and a sky observatory, where one could enjoy the view of heavenly bodies through a telescope. A science park, spread over 6 acres, is also situated within the premises of this center. The Mirror Magic Corner is an added attraction of the Centre.

Cassettes on wildlife, computers and nature are exhibited at this center. This center organizes video and planetarium shows. Various other programs are also organised here, such as the temporary exhibition, science fair, mobile science exhibition and science drama.

DETAILS

Timings: 10. 30 AM – 6. 30 PM, Closed on Pongal & on Diwali

Entry Fee: Rs. 15 per Adult & Rs. 10 per Student for Science Centre, Rs. 25 per Adult & Rs. 10 per Student for 3D Film, Rs. 25 per Adult & Rs. 15 per Students for Digital Planetarium, Rs. 15 per Adult & Rs. 10 per Student for Science Show

Distance (From Tirunelveli Railway Station): 1.5 Kms

Trip Duration (From Tirunelveli Railway Station, Including Travel): 1 Hour

SRI SANKARANARAYANA SWAMY TEMPLE – SANKARANKOVIL

17Jul

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At a distance of 16 km from Thirumalpuram and 56 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated at Sankarankovil in Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the top pilgrimage places to visit in Tirunelveli region and also one of the popular temples in Tamilnadu.

The temple is dedicated to Sankaranarayanar, who is the combined manifestation of Shiva and Vishnu. This temple was built by Ukkira Pandiya Thevar in the 11th century AD. This temple also called as Avudaiamman Kovil or Davasu Kovil. According to mythology, once the devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and Vaishnavites as well. Hence this temple depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.

The temple of Sankaranarayana is situated on 4.5 acre site in the heart of the Sankarankovil Town. It is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas in the South Pandiya country. With an imposing Rajagopuram, rising to a height of 135 feet with nine tiers, this temple is surrounded by high walls and the tower has many beautiful images.

Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main deity in this temple. The right portion of the idol has sandal and indicates Lord Siva, with cobra around his neck & moon above his head. The left side of the idol indicates Lord Vishnu having Sankhu in his hand. The Sankaralingam enshrined in the temple was found during the unearthed from a ‘puttru'(Ant Hill) and was consecrated as Sri Sankaralinga Swamy in the temple. During March and September months, the rays of Sun fall on Sankaralingam for three days from 21st of the respective months. The goddess of the temple is Arulmigu Gomathi Amman. Goddess Gomathi is said to have worshipped the Lord at this place. The temple also has a separate shrine for Lord Sarpa Vinayaka.

DETAILS

  • Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 9.30 PM
  • Distance (From Tirunelveli): 56 Kms
  • Trip Duration (From Tirunelveli, Including Travel): 3-4 Hours

 

SRI MANNAR RAJAGOPALA SWAMY TEMPLE

17Jul

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The temple of Sankaranarayana is situated on 4.5 acre site in the heart of the Sankarankovil Town. It is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas in the South Pandiya country. With an imposing Rajagopuram, rising to a height of 135 feet with nine tiers, this temple is surrounded by high walls and the tower has many beautiful images.

Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main deity in this temple. The right portion of the idol has sandal and indicates Lord Siva, with cobra around his neck & moon above his head. The left side of the idol indicates Lord Vishnu having Sankhu in his hand. The Sankaralingam enshrined in the temple was found during the unearthed from a ‘puttru'(Ant Hill) and was consecrated as Sri Sankaralinga Swamy in the temple. During March and September months, the rays of Sun fall on Sankaralingam for three days from 21st of the respective months. The goddess of the temple is Arulmigu Gomathi Amman. Goddess Gomathi is said to have worshipped the Lord at this place. The temple also has a separate shrine for Lord Sarpa Vinayaka.

The ant-hill sand is offered as Prasad, people believe that is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees facing problems due to the presence of poisonous creatures in their houses as lizards, scorpions and snakes offer silver pieces embossed with the images of such creatures for solution.

Aadi Thapasu in July-August, 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Panguni-Chithirai in April, Aipasi wedding festival in October-November and Thai float festival in January- February are the popular festivals celebrated in the temple.

DETAILS

Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM & 4 PM – 8 PM

Distance (From Tirunelveli Railway Station): 4 Kms

Trip Duration (From Varadaraja Perumal Temple , Including Travel): 1 Hour

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