Tirunelveli
Encyclopedia
Tirunelveli also known as Nellai , and historically (during British
rule) as Tinnevelly, is a city in the India
n state
of Tamil Nadu
. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District
and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu. It is situated 700 kilometres (435 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai
.
Tirunelveli is an ancient city and is home to many temples and shrines, including the largest Shiva
temple in Tamil Nadu
, the Nellaiappar Temple
. It is located on the western side of the perennial
Thamirabarani river
, whereas its twin municipal city Palayamkottai
, is located on the eastern side.
, one of the Christian
missionaries
who visited the area in the nineteenth century for the purpose of both promoting their religious beliefs and educating the people.
Tirunelveli had been under the prominence of the Pandya kings, serving as their secondary capital while Madurai remained its primary capital. It was an important city of the Chola kingdom (c.900–1200) and of the Vijayanagar
empire. The city was the chief commercial town in the period of Arcot Nawabs and Nayaks
. They were among the various ruling dynasties of Tamil Nadu. In fact, they called the city "Nellai Cheemai", with cheemai meaning a developed foreign town. It was the Nayaks who, in 1781, granted its revenues and local administration to the British. In 1801, it was annexed by the British, who governed it until India achieved independence in 1947.
On acquisition from the Nawab of Arcot in 1801, the British anglicized its name as Tinnevelly and made it the headquarters of Tirunelveli district
. This happened despite the fact that their administrative and military headquarters was located in Palayamkottai
(which was also anglicized as Palankottah), during their operations against the Palayakars. Post-independence, both towns reverted to their original names.
The etymology of Tirunelveli has a Puranic association also. It is said that a devotee was invited by God in his dream to settle with his family near the Tamirabarani river. There was a famine in the region for a long time, and the man had to beg and collect paddy from other people. He spread out the paddy to dry under the sunlight and went for his ritual ablution
in the river. He then continued to pray to the Lord for rain. Suddenly a thunderstorm broke out and it rained heavily. Although his prayer was answered, he was worried about the paddy he had spread out to dry in the sun. So he ran to collect it but what he saw was nothing short of a miracle. Not a drop of rain had fallen on the paddy he had laid out to dry. Since then, the city has been called Tirunelveli -- 'Tiru' meaning respectable, 'Nel' meaning paddy, and 'Veli' meaning a protective fence. In other words, the etymology relates to the city having paddy fields as a protective fence.
The name Halwa City is the a more contemporary nickname of Tirunelveli. A wheat-based sweet called halwa has brought it fame across the southern Indian states.
in the north, Tuticorin in the east, Tenkasi
and Alangulam in the west, Kalakkad in the southwest and Nanguneri
in the south. It is also flanked by the state of Kerala to the west, Gulf of Mannar and the districts of Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari. Thamiraparani river roughly divides the city into the Tirunelveli quarter and the Palayamkottai area. The major lakes in the city are Nainar lake and Udayarpetti lake. Three rivers (Chitraru, Thamirabarani and Kothandarama river) converge at a place called Sivalai, making the area very fertile. The closest town to this location is Alangaraperi.
The climate of Tirunelveli is generally hot and humid. The average temperature during summer (March to June) ranges from 23 to 36° Celsius and 18 to 30°C during the rest of the year. The average annual rainfall is 680 mm, most of which occurs during the northeast monsoon (October–December). Since the economy of the district is primarily based on agriculture, fluctuations in the monsoon rains or flooding of the Thamarabarani river has an immediate impact of livelihood in the area.
, Tirunelveli had a total population of 433,352 of which 214,133 were male and 219,219 were female. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%.
the India census
, Tirunelveli had a population of 411,298. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. The city has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 73%. In Tirunelveli, 10% of the population is under six years of age. Among the Municipal Corporations, Tirunelveli has been identified with a gender ratio skewed towards males, with 1,024 females for every 1,000 males. The growth rate of Urban Agglomeration is 20.22%.
The city covers an area of 108.65 sq. km. The population density of the city had increased to 3781 persons per km² in 2001 from 2,218 persons per km² in 1971. The disabilities in the city as per the 2001 census are 1,308,246, out of which 645,142 are males and 663,104 female. Hindus are the most in urban population. They are followed by Muslims and then Christians. The main language spoken in the city is Tamil
although the usage of English is relatively common. The vast majority of official dealings and the medium of instruction in most educational institutions is in English.
In June 2007, the Tata Group
signed an MOU with the State Government for the opening of a titanium dioxide
plant estimated at 2500 crore in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts. The original MOU for the techno-economic feasibility study for setting up the project was signed by Tata Group
and the State Government in 2002. The project was expected to create job opportunities for over 1000 people directly and an estimated 3000 indirectly. However, the State Government put the project on hold after growing protests against the project.
Tirunelveli is the one of best area for wind mill companies to install & produce power through wind. Lot of wind companies in south tirunelveli including (aralvaimozhi, radhapuram, panakudi,)
Tirunelveli is the location for one of several Software Technology Parks of India
(STPI).
.
The city is a Municipal Corporation as well as the district Headquarters. The city has a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and several councillors elected by people representing administrative wards, as well as a corporation Commissioner to administer the city headed by the District Collector.
A network of interstate and intrastate buses travel to various destinations from Tirunelveli.
A majestic looking structure with a high elevated façade, Tirunelveli Junction (TEN) is one of the oldest and popular railway stations in India. It is one of the busiest and important stations in Tamil Nadu.
It is connected to major cities in all four directions, Madurai/Sankarankovil to the north, Nagercoil to the south, Tenkasi/Kollam to the west and Tiruchendur to the east.
(TCR), located at Vaagaikulam in Thoothukkudi District, about 22 km east of Tirunelveli city. There are daily flights to Chennai provided by Kingfisher Red. The Madurai Airport
(IXM) is about 150 km and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
(TRV) is about 130 km away by road.
), by the Government of India. Tirunelveli is among the 40 cities in India to have an FM station. IGNOU has planned to air its distant education lecture (named Gyan Vani) via FM Tirunelveli.
, Christianity
, Islam
and Jainism
. Some of these are of historical importance, such as the Nellaiappar Temple
.
Nellaiappar Temple is in the centre of Tirunvelli city. It is a twin temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva
and has two towers (gopurams) built according to the rules laid down in the agama
sastras by Rama Pandyan.
Nindrasir Nedumaran (நின்றசீர் நெடுமாறன்), who reigned in the seventh century AD, contributed by constructing and renovating important parts in the temple. A garden next to the Mandapam, designed by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar in 1756, has many colourful and fragrant flowers. A square Vasantha Mandapam with 100 pillars is situated in this garden.
Near Tirunelveli, are the nine Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Vishnu (the Alwar Nava Tiruppatis), the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapati temple with its sculptural work, Tiruchendur with its grand and imposing temple dedicated to Subramanya, and Kutralam a popular tourist resort with its waterfalls and natural beauty.
tenkasi is a great city of nellai. it contains a kasiviswanathar temple.
. Near this temple about ¼ Km., to the east lies the “taen kalahasthi” temple which crowns Lord Shiva. First Lord Shiva is prayed followed by varadharaja perumal and then the "taen thirupathi perumal".
is named after the poet who penned the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the official song of the state.
To improve the quality of technical education in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu, Anna University of Technology Tirunelveli was established in 2007. The University offers a variety of engineering and technology courses in both undergraduate and postgraduate streams. Research facilities are being established in a start-of-the-art campus near Palayamkottai. Einstein College of Engineering at Sir C.V. Raman Nagar, in Tirunelveli.
The city has many old government and private colleges in the medical, legal, engineering, arts, pharmaceutical and physiotherapic fields. Tirunelveli Medical College
and the Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli
are professional colleges run by the government of Tamil Nadu. St.Xavier's College run by Jesuits, and St. John's College run by CSI Diocese, MDT Hindu College,Sadakathulla Appa College and Sarah Tucker College
are well-known arts colleges.
There are many higher secondary schools in Tirunelveli, including St. Ignatius' Convent Higher Secondary School
. Some schools like Bell School
, Jeyandra golden jubilee school have managed to make international connections with foreign schools and run active student exchange projects. Jayendra golden jubilee school have regular interactions with Mill Hill
school in London,UK.
The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) operates a regional unit called the Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory on the outskirts of Tirunelveli, near Krishnapuramy. This conducts research in the fields of geomagnetism and atmospheric and space sciences.
, Bangalore
. The centre is committed to the cause of science education through fun and entertainment. Permanent exhibitions, science shows, interactive guide tours, a mini-planetarium, sky observation through a telescope are some of the activities of the centre. Many scientific experiments prototypes planted in the campus. Exhibitions and Competitions are also conducted here up to school levels.
Malai, a hill situated in the Western Ghats
near Papanasam, a small village in the Tirunelveli district. As per Brahminical legend, Lord Shiva sent two saints, Vyasa
and Agatyar (in Sanskrit
Agastya
) to create the divine languages of Sanskrit
and Tamil
. Agatyar came to Papanasam first and established the Tamil culture from the Pothigai Malai. Today, the Tamil language
as spoken in the Tirunelveli district is called as Nellai Tamil
. Nellai Tamil
uses words like Annachi (a venerational salute to the elders), unique to the region. Nellai Tamil
is also spoken relatively fast, in comparison with other dialects of the language. And the "Nellai Tamil" is considered as the purest form of present "Tamil".
English is also an official language. and other languages such as Malayalam, Sauraastra, Telugu and Hindi are widely spoken by people all over the city.
was constructed in 1973 to ease the heavy traffic at the railway junction. The two tier bridge has a length of 800m. The first of its kind ever constructed in India, it consists of 25 spans, of which 13 are bowstring arch (each with a width of 30.3m) and 12 are single tier RCC girders, each with a width of 11.72m.
, they are often referred to as twin cities.
See also Melapalayam
, one of the major city located in between Tirunelveli
and Palayamkottai
.
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
rule) as Tinnevelly, is a city in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature; kurinji , mullai , marudham , neithal and palai...
and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu. It is situated 700 kilometres (435 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
.
Tirunelveli is an ancient city and is home to many temples and shrines, including the largest Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
temple in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, the Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple is one of the famous Shiva Temples situated at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.-History:...
. It is located on the western side of the perennial
Perennial stream
A perennial stream or perennial river is a stream or river that has continuous flow in parts of its bed all year round during years of normal rainfall. "Perennial" streams are contrasted with "intermittent" streams which normally cease flowing for weeks or months each year, and with "ephemeral"...
Thamirabarani river
Thamirabarani River
The Thamirabarani River originates from the famous Agastyarkoodam peak in the hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk and flows through Tirunelveli & Tuticorin districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India...
, whereas its twin municipal city Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
, is located on the eastern side.
History
The history of Tirunelveli was researched by Robert CaldwellRobert Caldwell
Bishop Robert Caldwell was an Evangelist missionary and linguist, who academically established the Dravidian family of languages. He served as Assistant Bishop of Tirunelveli from 1877. He was described in The Hindu as a 'pioneering champion of the downtrodden' and an 'avant-garde social reformer'...
, one of the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
who visited the area in the nineteenth century for the purpose of both promoting their religious beliefs and educating the people.
Tirunelveli had been under the prominence of the Pandya kings, serving as their secondary capital while Madurai remained its primary capital. It was an important city of the Chola kingdom (c.900–1200) and of the Vijayanagar
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
empire. The city was the chief commercial town in the period of Arcot Nawabs and Nayaks
Nayak (ethnic group)
-History and origin:The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in...
. They were among the various ruling dynasties of Tamil Nadu. In fact, they called the city "Nellai Cheemai", with cheemai meaning a developed foreign town. It was the Nayaks who, in 1781, granted its revenues and local administration to the British. In 1801, it was annexed by the British, who governed it until India achieved independence in 1947.
On acquisition from the Nawab of Arcot in 1801, the British anglicized its name as Tinnevelly and made it the headquarters of Tirunelveli district
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature; kurinji , mullai , marudham , neithal and palai...
. This happened despite the fact that their administrative and military headquarters was located in Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
(which was also anglicized as Palankottah), during their operations against the Palayakars. Post-independence, both towns reverted to their original names.
Cityscape
Etymology
Tirunelveli is also called Nellai. The translation in Tamil for paddy (rice fields) is "Nell". Both the names, Tirunelveli and Nellai, directly associate it to rice fields. Even on satellite imagery, it can be seen that the city is surrounded by fertile paddy fields, enriched by the perennial river Tamirabarani. The river has a wide network of canals and waterways which irrigate numerous rice fields and support the villages around the district which primarily thrive on cultivating rice. The region is also heavily dependent on the monsoon rains.The etymology of Tirunelveli has a Puranic association also. It is said that a devotee was invited by God in his dream to settle with his family near the Tamirabarani river. There was a famine in the region for a long time, and the man had to beg and collect paddy from other people. He spread out the paddy to dry under the sunlight and went for his ritual ablution
Ritual purification
Ritual purification is a feature of many religions. The aim of these rituals is to remove specifically defined uncleanliness prior to a particular type of activity, and especially prior to the worship of a deity...
in the river. He then continued to pray to the Lord for rain. Suddenly a thunderstorm broke out and it rained heavily. Although his prayer was answered, he was worried about the paddy he had spread out to dry in the sun. So he ran to collect it but what he saw was nothing short of a miracle. Not a drop of rain had fallen on the paddy he had laid out to dry. Since then, the city has been called Tirunelveli -- 'Tiru' meaning respectable, 'Nel' meaning paddy, and 'Veli' meaning a protective fence. In other words, the etymology relates to the city having paddy fields as a protective fence.
The name Halwa City is the a more contemporary nickname of Tirunelveli. A wheat-based sweet called halwa has brought it fame across the southern Indian states.
Geography
Tirunelveli is located at 8.73°N 77.7°E. It has an average elevation of 47 metres msl(154 ft). It is located in the southern-most tip of the Deccan plateau. Tirunelveli is an important junction in the National Highway No 7 connecting India from the North to South (Kashmir to Kanyakumari). The nearest pivotal towns are: GangaikondanGangaikondan
Gangaikondan is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located about 20 KM north of Tirunelveli on the way to Madurai on highway NH 7.-Geography:...
in the north, Tuticorin in the east, Tenkasi
Tenkasi
Tenkasi pronounced as is a town and a municipality in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats near the Courtallam Waterfalls.Tenkasi is also famous for saaral...
and Alangulam in the west, Kalakkad in the southwest and Nanguneri
Nanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
in the south. It is also flanked by the state of Kerala to the west, Gulf of Mannar and the districts of Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari. Thamiraparani river roughly divides the city into the Tirunelveli quarter and the Palayamkottai area. The major lakes in the city are Nainar lake and Udayarpetti lake. Three rivers (Chitraru, Thamirabarani and Kothandarama river) converge at a place called Sivalai, making the area very fertile. The closest town to this location is Alangaraperi.
Climate
Demographics
As of 2011 census of India2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
, Tirunelveli had a total population of 433,352 of which 214,133 were male and 219,219 were female. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%.
the India census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Tirunelveli had a population of 411,298. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. The city has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 73%. In Tirunelveli, 10% of the population is under six years of age. Among the Municipal Corporations, Tirunelveli has been identified with a gender ratio skewed towards males, with 1,024 females for every 1,000 males. The growth rate of Urban Agglomeration is 20.22%.
The city covers an area of 108.65 sq. km. The population density of the city had increased to 3781 persons per km² in 2001 from 2,218 persons per km² in 1971. The disabilities in the city as per the 2001 census are 1,308,246, out of which 645,142 are males and 663,104 female. Hindus are the most in urban population. They are followed by Muslims and then Christians. The main language spoken in the city is Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
although the usage of English is relatively common. The vast majority of official dealings and the medium of instruction in most educational institutions is in English.
Economy
Tirunelveli has a range of large industries, including cement factories, beedi (tobacco) companies, steel products, and mills for cotton textiles, spinning and weaving. There are also many small scale industries, such as tanneries and brick kilns, many of which are supported by NELSIA (Nellai Small Scale Industries Association).In June 2007, the Tata Group
Tata Group
Tata Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Tata Group is one of the largest companies in India by market capitalization and revenue. It has interests in communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy,...
signed an MOU with the State Government for the opening of a titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...
plant estimated at 2500 crore in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts. The original MOU for the techno-economic feasibility study for setting up the project was signed by Tata Group
Tata Group
Tata Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Tata Group is one of the largest companies in India by market capitalization and revenue. It has interests in communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy,...
and the State Government in 2002. The project was expected to create job opportunities for over 1000 people directly and an estimated 3000 indirectly. However, the State Government put the project on hold after growing protests against the project.
Tirunelveli is the one of best area for wind mill companies to install & produce power through wind. Lot of wind companies in south tirunelveli including (aralvaimozhi, radhapuram, panakudi,)
Tirunelveli is the location for one of several Software Technology Parks of India
Software Technology Parks of India
'Software Technology Parks of India' is a government agency in India, established in 1991 under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, that manages the Software Technology Park scheme. It is an export oriented scheme for the development and export of computer software,...
(STPI).
Administration
Tirunelveli assembly constituency is part of Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tirunelveli is a Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest Lok Sabha constituency in India since independence.-Assembly segments:...
.
The city is a Municipal Corporation as well as the district Headquarters. The city has a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and several councillors elected by people representing administrative wards, as well as a corporation Commissioner to administer the city headed by the District Collector.
Transport
Tirunelveli has an extensive transport network. It is well-connected to other major cities cities by road, rail and air.Roads
The city is located on NH 7, 150 km to the south of Madurai and 91;km to the north of Kanyakumari. NH 7A, an extension of NH 7, connects Palayamkottai with Tuticorin Port. Now 4 lane track has been under progress and NH 7A stretch is almost in finishing stage. Tirunelveli is accessible by road from Madurai (3 hours) or Nagercoil (1½ hours). Tirunelveli is also connected by major highways to Kollam, Tiruchendur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Ambasamudram and Nazareth.Bus stands
The main Mofussil bus stand, popularly known as New Bus Stand (Puthiya Perunthu Nilayam) is located in Veinthaankulam. This bus stand was opened for public usage in 2003. There are regular bus services from and to the city. The other bus stands for local services within the city are the Junction Bus Stand (Nellai Santhippu Perunthu Nilayam) and the Palay Bus stand (Palay Perunthu Nilayam).A network of interstate and intrastate buses travel to various destinations from Tirunelveli.
Railways
It is connected to major cities in all four directions, Madurai/Sankarankovil to the north, Nagercoil to the south, Tenkasi/Kollam to the west and Tiruchendur to the east.
Airport
The nearest airport is the Tuticorin AirportTuticorin Airport
Tuticorin Airport is a domestic airport located from Thoothukudi , Tamil Nadu, India.-Structure:Tuticorin Airport has one asphalt runway, oriented 10/28, 1351 metres long and 30 metres wide. Its 100 by 60 metre apron provides parking space for 2 ATR 72 or similar aircraft at a time, while its...
(TCR), located at Vaagaikulam in Thoothukkudi District, about 22 km east of Tirunelveli city. There are daily flights to Chennai provided by Kingfisher Red. The Madurai Airport
Madurai Airport
Madurai Airport is fourth largest airport in Tamil Nadu and serves Madurai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The airport is located about from the Madurai railway station. The airport was established in 1957. -Airport specifications:...
(IXM) is about 150 km and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
-Cargo:-Facilities:The newly built Terminal 3 has three additional jetways and parking bays to accommodate 8 aircraft. The terminal is built opposite to the current terminal across the runway and is closer to the city side.The terminal, constructed by the AAI and designed by the UK firm,...
(TRV) is about 130 km away by road.
Culture
The Government Exhibition, a popular attraction visited by thousands of people from in and around Tirunelveli takes place annually. Other major entertainment events include an annual circus which draws huge crowds and many state and even national level sporting events in VOC ground and Anna Stadium.Cinema theatres
Tirunelveli has numerous cinema theatres which are mostly constructed in the Art Deco style, and are popular landmarks.Radio stations
Tirunelveli is served on the FM dial by Suryan FM, run by Sun Network (frequency 93.5 MHz), Hello FM, run by the Malai Malar Group (frequency 106.5 MHz) and Tirunelveli Vanoli Nilayam (All India RadioAll India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
), by the Government of India. Tirunelveli is among the 40 cities in India to have an FM station. IGNOU has planned to air its distant education lecture (named Gyan Vani) via FM Tirunelveli.
Religion
Tirunelveli has a rich religious heritage and has places of worship for all the major Indian religions - HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
. Some of these are of historical importance, such as the Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple is one of the famous Shiva Temples situated at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.-History:...
.
Nellaiappar Temple
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and has two towers (gopurams) built according to the rules laid down in the agama
Āgama (Hinduism)
Agama means, in the Hindu context, "a traditional doctrine, or system which commands faith".In Hinduism, the Agamas are a collection of Sanskrit scriptures which are revered and followed by millions of Hindus.-Significance:...
sastras by Rama Pandyan.
Nindrasir Nedumaran (நின்றசீர் நெடுமாறன்), who reigned in the seventh century AD, contributed by constructing and renovating important parts in the temple. A garden next to the Mandapam, designed by Thiruvengadakrishna Mudaliar in 1756, has many colourful and fragrant flowers. A square Vasantha Mandapam with 100 pillars is situated in this garden.
Near Tirunelveli, are the nine Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Vishnu (the Alwar Nava Tiruppatis), the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapati temple with its sculptural work, Tiruchendur with its grand and imposing temple dedicated to Subramanya, and Kutralam a popular tourist resort with its waterfalls and natural beauty.
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Kovil is situated in Tirunelveli Junction, on the banks of the perennial river Thamirabarani (தாமிரபரணி). It is an ancient and reputed Vishnu temple.tenkasi is a great city of nellai. it contains a kasiviswanathar temple.
Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram Temple
The Mela Thiruvenkatanathapuram temple is located 7 to 10 km south west of Tirunelveli, on the banks of perennial river Thamirabarani. Also known as Thirunankovil, it has Lord Srinivasa as the deity.Keezha Thiruvenkatanathapuram, Keezha Thirupathi
It resembles the thirupathiThirupathi
Thirupathi is a 2006 Tamil action film written and directed by Perarasu and produced by AVM Productions. The film features Ajith Kumar and Sadha in the lead roles, with Riyaz Khan and Arun Pandian appearing in other pivotal roles...
. Near this temple about ¼ Km., to the east lies the “taen kalahasthi” temple which crowns Lord Shiva. First Lord Shiva is prayed followed by varadharaja perumal and then the "taen thirupathi perumal".
Education
The Manonmaniam Sundaranar UniversityManonmaniam Sundaranar University
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is a university in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was hived off the Madurai Kamaraj University on September 9, 1990....
is named after the poet who penned the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the official song of the state.
The city has many old government and private colleges in the medical, legal, engineering, arts, pharmaceutical and physiotherapic fields. Tirunelveli Medical College
Tirunelveli Medical College
Tirunelveli Medical College , also known as TvMC, TMC Tirunelveli, or Government Medical College Tirunelveli, is one among the premier medical institutions in South India, located in the city of Tirunelveli, in the state of Tamilnadu, India. The college is affiliated to Tamilnadu Dr...
and the Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli
Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli
Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, is a state owned Engineering Institute located in the town of Tirunelveli in the state of Tamil Nadu. Tirunelveli is often referred as the 'Oxford of south India' due to the large number of educational institutions present...
are professional colleges run by the government of Tamil Nadu. St.Xavier's College run by Jesuits, and St. John's College run by CSI Diocese, MDT Hindu College,Sadakathulla Appa College and Sarah Tucker College
Sarah Tucker College
The Sarah Tucker College is an institution in Palayamkottai, a town in Tirunelveli District in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is the first college for women in south India, owing its origin to Sarah Tucker of England and her friends, who raised money for the founding of a small...
are well-known arts colleges.
There are many higher secondary schools in Tirunelveli, including St. Ignatius' Convent Higher Secondary School
St. Ignatius' Convent Higher Secondary School
St. Ignatius' Convent Higher Secondary School is a school for girls in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. The school is run by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is popularly known for its discipline and good education.- History :...
. Some schools like Bell School
Bell Matriculation Higher Secondary School
The Bell Matriculation Higher Secondary School is a private high school in Southern India, founded in 1992.- History :Bell Matriculation Higher Secondary School was founded in 1992 by Mr. A.Chelladhurai, an eminent industrialist and entrepreneur in Southern India...
, Jeyandra golden jubilee school have managed to make international connections with foreign schools and run active student exchange projects. Jayendra golden jubilee school have regular interactions with Mill Hill
Mill Hill
Mill Hill is a place in the London Borough of Barnet. It is a suburb situated 9 miles north west of Charing Cross. Mill Hill was in the historic county of Middlesex until it was absorbed by London...
school in London,UK.
The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) operates a regional unit called the Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory on the outskirts of Tirunelveli, near Krishnapuramy. This conducts research in the fields of geomagnetism and atmospheric and space sciences.
Science centre
The city has a District Science Centre, a satellite unit of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological MuseumVisvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum is a museum in Bangalore, India. Its management comes under the National Council of Science Museums , Government of India.-Establishment:...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. The centre is committed to the cause of science education through fun and entertainment. Permanent exhibitions, science shows, interactive guide tours, a mini-planetarium, sky observation through a telescope are some of the activities of the centre. Many scientific experiments prototypes planted in the campus. Exhibitions and Competitions are also conducted here up to school levels.
Language
Traditionally, it has been noted that the Tamil language originated from the PothigaiPothigai
The Pothigai Malai , also known as the Agasthiyar Malai, is in the Ashambu hills, part of the Annamalai Hills in the southern part of the Western Ghats of Southern India. Legend says that Sage Agastya created the Tamil language here.-Geography:The Pothigai hills is in the Thiruvananthapuram...
Malai, a hill situated in the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
near Papanasam, a small village in the Tirunelveli district. As per Brahminical legend, Lord Shiva sent two saints, Vyasa
Vyasa
Vyasa is a central and revered figure in most Hindu traditions. He is also sometimes called Veda Vyasa , or Krishna Dvaipayana...
and Agatyar (in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
Agastya
Agastya
Agastya was a Tamil/Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agastya and his clan are also generally credited with uncovering many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman...
) to create the divine languages of Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
. Agatyar came to Papanasam first and established the Tamil culture from the Pothigai Malai. Today, the Tamil language
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
as spoken in the Tirunelveli district is called as Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil, also known as Tirunelveli Tamil, is one of the dialects of Tamil which is spoken in the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi as well as over the vast area of south Tamil Nadu which was once ruled by the Pandiya Kings. Nellai Tamil is also known as Thenpaandi Tamil...
. Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil, also known as Tirunelveli Tamil, is one of the dialects of Tamil which is spoken in the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi as well as over the vast area of south Tamil Nadu which was once ruled by the Pandiya Kings. Nellai Tamil is also known as Thenpaandi Tamil...
uses words like Annachi (a venerational salute to the elders), unique to the region. Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil
Nellai Tamil, also known as Tirunelveli Tamil, is one of the dialects of Tamil which is spoken in the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi as well as over the vast area of south Tamil Nadu which was once ruled by the Pandiya Kings. Nellai Tamil is also known as Thenpaandi Tamil...
is also spoken relatively fast, in comparison with other dialects of the language. And the "Nellai Tamil" is considered as the purest form of present "Tamil".
English is also an official language. and other languages such as Malayalam, Sauraastra, Telugu and Hindi are widely spoken by people all over the city.
Major structures
The Thiruvalluvar Bridge at Tirunelveli JunctionTirunelveli Junction
Tirunelveli Junction serves the city of Tirunelveli in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It produces profit for the Madurai Railway division. The Nellai Express, — a super-fast train connecting Tirunelveli and Chennai Egmore — runs packed almost throughout the year. The station has six platforms....
was constructed in 1973 to ease the heavy traffic at the railway junction. The two tier bridge has a length of 800m. The first of its kind ever constructed in India, it consists of 25 spans, of which 13 are bowstring arch (each with a width of 30.3m) and 12 are single tier RCC girders, each with a width of 11.72m.
Tirunelveli's twin city
Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai being located on either banks of the Thamirabarani RiverThamirabarani River
The Thamirabarani River originates from the famous Agastyarkoodam peak in the hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk and flows through Tirunelveli & Tuticorin districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India...
, they are often referred to as twin cities.
See also Melapalayam
Melapalayam
Melapalayam is a small town in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India.The name Melapalayam is derived from its location west of Palayamkottai,Tirunelveli.In Tamil 'Mela' meaning 'West' derived from the word 'Merkku'...
, one of the major city located in between Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
and Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
.