Places to Visit in Tuticorin, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, India

Places to Visit in Tuticorin, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, India

Tuticorin also called as Thoothukudi is a port city situated in Thoothukudi District in Tamilnadu State in India. It is popularly known as’ Pearl City’ located about 590 kms south of state capital Chennai. Thoothukudi City is the administrative headquarters of Thoothukudi District covering an area of 90.663 sq. km.

Tuticorin is located between 8.81°N latitude and 78.14° E longitude and is placed at an elevation of 4 meters. The Postal Code of Tuticorin begins from 628001. Thoothukudi District is surrounded by Virudhunagar District in the north, Tirunelveli district on the west and Ramanathapuram district towards northeast.

Tuticorin is major educational hub of the state houses 2 engineering colleges, 1 medical college, 117 schools, several commerce and polytechnic colleges. Tuticorin is a highly emerging city home to numerous small and medium scale industries like Venus Home Appliances, VVD Coconut Oil and Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals.

History of Tuticorin:

Tuticorin witnessed the rule of famous dynasties of the country and foreign as well. Tuticorin was ruled by Medieval Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Carnatic Kingdom, Madurai Nayaks, Portuguese, Dutch and British East India Company earlier. Tuticorin District came into existence on 20 October 1986.

Culture of Tuticorin:

Tuticorin has a strong cultural background. The prime ancient worship places of Tuticorin include Shiva Temple and Our Lady of Snow Church. The festivals celebrated during Adi Amavasai and Sasti in Shiva Temple with huge splendor and the church festival is celebrated on August every year.

Tuticorin is populated with all religion people like Muslim, Hindu and Christian. Tamil is the widely spoken language in Tuticorin. Other than Tamil, the natives speak nearby states languages like Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu and Hindi.

How to reach Tuticorin?

Tuticorin has good connectivity with all around the state through well maintained road infrastructure, railway and air facility. National Highway 45B and 7A passes through Tuticorin connects it with all the major cities of the state and nearby states as well. TSRTC operates bus services from Tuticorin city to main towns of the district and the state.

There are daily bus services accessible to Ernakulam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Bangalore and Trivandrum from Tuticorin City Bus Stand. Tuticorin Railway Station is about 8 km the city centre and Tuticorin Airport is situated in Vagaikulam about 18 km from Tuticorin City.

Places to see in Tuticorin:

Kalugumalai:

Kalugumalai is a town well known for its ancient Jain Cave Temple. Tourists can see the rock cut icons of Mahaveera, Parvanatha, Bahubali and Adinatha in Kalugumalai. Also Kalugumalai houses Murugan temple, Pandyan Monolith Cave Temple and Vattuvan Koil.

Tiruchendur Temple:

Tiruchendur Temple also called as Thiruchendur Murugan Kovil is located in Thiruchendur. During the time of Vasanthothsavam, Skandha Sashti, Brahmothsavam, Visaka Visakam and Aavanipperunthirunaal there are grand cultural events organized in Tiruchendur Temple.

Ottapidaram:

Ottapidaram is a historical place and is the home town of Chidambaram, the great freedom fighter from this region. Now the residence of Chidambaram has been converted into a memorial.

Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary:

Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary spans over an area of 223 sq. km and houses different types of flora and fauna. It is home to Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, langur, nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, tigers, wild dog, pangolin and flying squirrel.

Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary:

Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an area of 567 sq. km. of forest land. It is home to variety of animals like Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, langur, nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, flying squirrel, panther and lion tailed macaque. Between October and January is the ideal time to visit Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Other tourist attractions in and around Tuticorin include: