5 Best Places To Visit In Tenkasi In 2024

Tenkasi, a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, is famous for its temples and waterfalls. Surrounded by the Western Ghats on three sides, it is a perfect getaway for being close to nature and spirituality. You can check out the list of places to visit in Tenkasi to plan your trip. The calm surroundings will let you rejuvenate from the hustle and bustle of your mundane life and transfer you into serenity.

Places To Visit In Tenkasi

Tenkasi, the new district that separated from Tirunelveli in 2019, served as the capital of the Pandya dynasty during their reign. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Tenkasi:

1. Courtallam Old Falls

Image Credit: VasuVR for Wikimedia Commons

Courtallam, a town situated on the Western Ghats of the Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, is titled ‘Spa of South India.’ It has a total of nine falls, one of which is the Old Falls, also known as Pazhaya Courtallam. Since it attracts fewer tourists compared to the other falls, one can take time to witness the exhilarating views and rejuvenate under the falls. Cascading from the curvy stair-stepping rocks, one can experience a natural back massage while standing under the falls. A man-made pool between the upper and lower falls is meant for swimming. One of the best places to visit in Tenkasi, people of all ages enjoy this scenic spot.

Transportation options: Auto, cab
Distance: 11 km from Tenkasi New Bus Stand
Timings: sunrise to sunset

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2. Kasi Viswanathar Temple

Built in Dravidian style by Parakrama Pandyan, Kasi Viswanathar Temple is one of the most-explored places to visit in Tenkasi. Also known as Ulagamman Temple, it is dedicated to Kasi Viswanathar, the self-incarnated form of Lord Shiva (swayambu), whose consort is Ulagamman. The temple titled ‘Kasi of South’ has three shrines- Siva, Amman, and Murugan. It houses stone pillars that produce sounds when tapped with fingers, sculptures, and twin statues of Veerabhadra, Rathi-Manmatha, Nataraja, and idols of Kali Devi and Thirumal. As per beliefs, the worship in this temple is equivalent to that of the main temple in Kasi.

Transportation options: Cab, auto
Distance: 1.9 km from Tenkasi New Bus Stand
Timings: 6 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm

3. Gundar Dam

Image Courtesy: Thiru Dhaya for Pinterest

Constructed in 1983, Gundar Dam used to cater to the irrigation requirements of the Thirunelveli district. Located at the foot of the Western Ghats, Gundar Dam is situated in Sengottai. Earlier, it was only visited by locals but now the tourists also make it a point to stop by here. Gundar Dam and the park is a perfect picnic spot with a scenic location, lush greenery, and enchanting views.

Transportation options: Auto, cab
Distance: 13.7 km from Tenkasi
Timings: 24/7

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4. Thirumalai Kovil

Image Credit: M.v.karthy for Wikipedia

Located in Panpoli, Thirumalai Kovil is a Murugan Temple situated at a height of 400 m on a small hill. The idol of Lord Murugan, also known as Thirumalai Kumaraswamy or Thirumalai Murugan, resides inside the temple in a standing posture with four hands. 625 steps lead the way to the temple with a small idol of Lord Ganesha at the main entrance. Another way to reach the temple is by road, which takes you directly to the temple’s entrance. Thai Pusam festival is celebrated in January and February at this temple with great enthusiasm. Surrounded by the Western Ghats at the border of Kerala, this temple is among the best tourist places near Tenkasi.

Transportation options: Bus, Cab
Distance: 14 km from Tenkasi
Timings: 6 am to 1 pm, 5 pm to 8:30 pm

5. Thirukutralanathar Temple

Image Credit: Muthuraman99 for Wikimedia Commons

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Thirukutralanathar Temple represents one of the Pancha (five) Sabhas of Lord Nataraja, known as Chitra Sabha, and the sixth of the Thevara Sthalam of the Pandya Kingdom of Tamil Nadu. As per the Puranas, the temple was originally a Vaishnava temple and the Vishnu shrine was converted into a Shiva lingam by Sage Agasthya. The temple houses idols of Lord Shiva worshipped as Kutralanathar and his consort, Goddess Parvati as Kuzhalvoi Mozhiamman. Additionally, there are idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan, and separate shrines for Kasi Vishwanathar, Lord Vishnu, Navgrahas, Kasi Visalakshi, Tenkasi Vishwanathar, Adi Parashakti, and Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi Ambal.

Transportation options: Cab, bus
Distance: 14 km from Tenkasi Bus Stand
Timings: 6 am to 12 noon, 4;30 pm to 8 pm

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How To Reach Tenkasi?

There are three ways to reach Tenkasi. Here is a detailed description of the same:

By Air

Trivandrum International Airport, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is 116 km away from Tenkasi. You can board a bus or take a taxi to reach your destination in Tenkasi.

By Rail

Tenkasi Junction Railway Station is approximately 2 km away from Tenkasi district. Depending on the days of their run, 30 trains pass by this station. If your train doesn’t stop by Tenkasi Junction Railway Station, the major railway station is Trivandrum Central Station, which is 109 km away from Tenkasi. After that, you can take a cab or board a bus to Tenkasi.

By Road

Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSRTC) and some private travels operate bus services to Tenkasi from Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Keeriparai, Thuckalay, Puliyangudi, and other locations. You can also travel by cab/taxi as Tenkasi has great road connectivity from many areas.

Best Time To Visit Tenkasi

The ideal time to visit Tenkasi is from July to October as the weather is suitable for sightseeing. Tenkasi, being a temple town, is also visited by tourists during festivals.

Winter Season

Tenkasi experiences cool weather during the winter season, starting from December and lasting till February. Pongal is the main festival of Tamil Nadu, celebrated in January. It is the best time to explore Tenkasi, as the festive ambiance is in its great fervor.

Summer Season

Tenkasi tourism is not at its peak during the summer season, i.e. from March to May, resulting in low accommodation rates. Tourists avoid a trip here as the weather is scorching hot. April 14 marks the beginning of a new year for Tamils, also celebrated as Tamil Nadu Day, and some people prefer to visit Tenkasi during this time to witness the festival.

Rainy Season

June to September marks the rainy season in Tenkasi. The town receives average rainfall. The region expresses its green splendor after the rain shower and the waterfalls appear enchanting to witness. The visitors can also experience the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi between August and September.

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Now that you have the best options of places to visit in Tenkasi, do add it to your bucket list. From visiting the ancient temples to enjoying a picnic near the waterfalls, you can indulge in several cheerful experiences here. Check out the best Tamil Nadu trip packages on TravelTriangle for a hassle-free vacation. Moreover, these packages can be customized according to your requirements.

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Cover Image Source: Tenkasi for Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions About Places to visit in Tenkasi

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TravelTriangle Staff