About Tenkasi

Country: India | State: Tamilnadu

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Tenkasi: Trivandrum (109 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Tenkasi: July to October

Peak Season: July to September

At a distance of 56 km from Tirunelveli, 100 km from Kollam, 109 km from Trivandrum, 132 km from Kanyakumari, 160 km from Madurai, & 625 km from Chennai, Tenkasi is the second largest town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Madurai - Kollam highway, it is one of the popular places to visit near Madurai, and among the top Tamilnadu places to visit.

Tenkasi is famous for numerous waterfalls spread around the region including the famous Courtallam Falls, among the must include places in Tenkasi tour packages. River Chittar flows through this picturesque destination favoured amongst tourists.

Amidst the Western Ghats, Tenkasi was founded by Pandyan kings who ruled Southern Tamil Nadu for a long time. The Word Tenkasi means Kasi of the South referring to the Kasiviswanathar temple situated in the town. The temple was built by Parakrama Pandyan but was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored and it was given a fresh coat of paint again in 2006. The main deity here is Kasi Viswanathar (Lord Shiva).

Tenkasi has another magnificent Kulasekaranathar Temple, which has been closed for a long time. There is also a temple pond in the middle of the town, adjoining the Kannimaramman Temple. Anggalap Parameshwari Temple is in Malayan Street, and Esakki Amman Kovil are the other prominent places to visit in Tenkasi.

The closest airport to Tenkasi is the Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 122 km away. About 1.5 km from Tenkasi Bus Stand, Tenkasi Junction is well connected by trains with cities like Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Palakkad, Tuticorin, Chennai, Kollam, Madurai, Sengottai, and Trivandrum. It has good bus connectivity from Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kollam, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Nagercoil, etc.

The best time to visit Tenkasi is from July to October as the weather is most pleasant and the waterfalls are in full swing. Since it is a temple town, it is wise to try and visit during the festivals like Pongal, Ganesh Chaturthi, Tamil New Year, and Maha Shivaratri that are celebrated with great pomp and fervor.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 04633
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Malayalam, English
Major Festivals: Masi Magam (Feb/Mar),
Navarathri (Sep/Oct),
Kasi Visweswara Tirukalyanam (Oct/Nov)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Tenkasi

By Air

Nearest Airport: Trivandrum - Trivandrum International Airport (113 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Tenkasi Junction (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Tenkasi Bus Station (1 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

#1 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 7 km from Tenkasi, 62 km from Tirunelveli & 160 km from Madurai, Courtallam, or Kutralam Falls is a stunning waterfall situated near Tirunelveli. It is one of the prominent waterfalls in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Tenkasi holiday packages. Courtallam is famed as the 'Spa of South'.

There are nine waterfalls at Courtallam where the River Chittar cascades over 92 meters at varying volumes. The Main falls or Peraruvi is the most popular and the biggest among the nine falls, at a distance of about 300 meters from Courtallam Bus Stand. Falling from a height of 60 m, it is located right inside Courtallam town. The flow of water is interrupted by the Pongumakadal rock and comes down gently making it a safe place to bathe. The waters of Courtallam are believed to have medicinal qualities as it flows through forests of herbs. The Kutralanathar Temple, .....

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#2 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 1.5 km from Tenkasi Bus Station, 5 km from Courtallam, and 55 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine located in the town of Tenkasi. It is one of the popular Tenkasi places to visit, and among the significant pilgrimage sites near Madurai.

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Kasi Viswanathar a form of Lord Shiva in a self-incarnated form (swayambu). Tenkasi town derived its name from this temple and known as Kasi of South. It is believed that worshipping the Lord in this temple is equal to worshipping the Lord in Kasi. The nearby river Chittar is considered equivalent to Ganga.

The temple was built by Parakrama Pandyan in Dravidian style. The construction of Rajagopuram was completed in the year 1505. The gopura caught fire in 1824 and was in a bad condition till 1966. Then .....

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#3 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 15 km from Ambasamudram and 47 km from Tirunelveli, Papanasam is a small town in Ambasamudram Taluk of Tirunelveli district in Tamilnadu. It is one of the popular picnic spots in Tirunelveli.

Papanasam has a famous temple called the Papanasam Sivan Temple which lies on the banks of Thamirabarani River. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati who are worshipped as Papanasanathar and Ulagammai respectively. This is the place where Saint Agasthiyar got the Kalyana dharshan of Lord Shiva and Parvati along with his wife Lopamudra.

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 .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 33 Kms
Trip Duration (From Tenkasi - Including Travel): 2 Hours
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#4 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

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 the Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. Located in the Western Ghats, Papanasam Falls is a prominent waterfalls in Tamilnadu, and among the most popular Tirunelveli tourist places.

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, among the .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 36 Kms
Trip Duration (From Papanasam Temple - Including Travel): 1 Hour
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#5 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi


At a distance of 12 km from Papanasam, 58 km from Kalakkad, and 60 km from Tirunelveli, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is located in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu. This is the second-largest protected area in Tamil Nadu and among the best places to visit as part of your India wildlife tour.

The Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve was created in the year 1988 by combining Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary (251 kmē) and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary (567 kmē), both established in 1962. This sanctuary covers an area of around 817 sq. km, out of which 459 sq. km falls under the core zone, and the remaining 358 sq. km comes under the buffer zone. Nestled between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the Agastya Malai Hill Range forms the core area of the sanctuary and is part of one of the world's 18 biodiversity hotspots. It is also under consideration by UNESCO as a world heritage site. wildlife sanctuaries near Madurai.

The .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 46 Kms
Trip Duration (From Tenkasi - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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#6 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 12 km from Papanasam and 47 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Sivasailanathar Paramakalyani Temple is a 500 year old Saivaite temple situated on the banks of River Gadana at Sivasailam in Tamilnadu. Popularly called as Sivasailam Temple, this is one of the famous Shiva temples near Tirunelveli.

The Sivasailam Temple is dedicated to Lord Sivasailanathar and Goddess Parvati. Built by Pandiyas, the temple is surrounded by Velli malai, Mulli malai and Podhigai hills. It is believed that the Shiva Lingam in the sanctum is swayambhu lingam. At the back of the statue, there are lines that appear like hair, so he is also called Sadaiappar. This can be seen through a hole while strolling around the sanctum sanctorum. This is visible only when the Archakar gives Aarathi at the back of the lingam.

The temple is huge with many mandapams and carved pillars. The principle gopuram has five stories and is embellished with numerous statues. The specialty of the temple is the huge .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 25 Kms
Trip Duration (From Tenkasi - Including Travel): 1-2 Hours
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#7 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 53 km from Thoothukudi, 84 km from Kanyakumari, 158 km from Madurai, 291 km from Trichy, and 623 km from Chennai, Tirunelveli is a city situated on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in Tamilnadu. Tirunelveli is the most popular places to visit near Madurai, and among the must include places in Tamilnadu tour packages.

Also known as Nellai, Tirunelveli is the administrative headquarters of the Tirunelveli district and also the sixth-largest city in Tamilnadu. Tirunelveli is positioned close to the southern tip of India and is very eminent for various geographical features. It comprises 5 geographical territories which include mountains, forests, paddy fields, coastal, and deserts. The name Tirunelveli is derived from three Tamil words, thiru, nel and veli, meaning 'sacred paddy hedge'. The freedom fighters of the 18th to 20th century Veera Pandiya .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 60 Kms
Trip Duration (From Tenkasi - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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#8 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

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 .....

Distance (From Tenkasi): 42 Kms
Trip Duration (From Tenkasi - Including Travel): 2-3 Hours
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#9 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 27 km from Tenkasi, the Karuppanadhi Dam is an earthen dam located at Chokkampatti, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the important dams in Tamilnadu, and among the top tourist places near Tenkasi.

Located at the foothills of Western Ghats, the Karuppanadhi Dam was built across the Karuppanadhi River. The river Karuppanathi is a branch of Tamirabarani. It originates at an altitude of 5870 feet falls in the Krishnapuram village of Kadayanallur taluk, in Tamil Nadu. The dam construction was started in 1971 and was completed in the year of 1977.

The dam is 34m in height above the lowest foundation, and the length of the dam is 899 m. The volume content of the dam is about 10 million cubics. It has two sluice gates. It provides water for irrigation to the region of Kadayanallur Taluk. The best time to visit the dam is during the monsoon season when the dam is full .....

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#10 of 17 Places to Visit in Tenkasi

At a distance of 1 km from Ayikudi Bus Stop, 7 km Tenkasi, 12 km from Courtallam and 60 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swamy Temple is a small temple situated in the village of Ayikudi on the banks of Hanuman River. It is believed that Lord Hanuman had stayed on the banks of the river during his journey to Lanka.

This temple is dedicated to Murugan in the form of Balasubramanya Swamy, also popularly known here as Rama Subramanya Swamy. The main deity is a small idol with four hands. The three hands illustrate shaktivaram, vajram and abhaya mudra while the fourth hand holds a peacock and the lord sits on a lotus.

The Travancore Royal family took up the temple management and the temple was renovated. The shrine also houses Vishnu, Shiva, Ambikai, and Ganesha and Aditya (Surya).

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