'''Puliangudi''' is a city in Tirunelveli District.

Get in

Air

Nearest airports are at Madurai and Tiruvanthapuram.

Train

Nearest Railway station is at Pambu Kovil Shandy (PBKS) around 4 Km from Puliangudi.

Pothigai Express from Sengottai to Chennai Egmore stops for about a minute.

Nearest Junction is at Kovilpatti offering connectivity to rest of India through express trains.

Bus

Car

Get around

See

Sankaran Kovil

Sankaran Kovil is a unique temple dedicated to Sankaranarayana who is the combined manifestation of Siva and Vishnu. Thus it is held sacred by both Saivites and Vaishnavites. It is very famous for "Adi Thabasu" festival. In older times, the city was called as Sankaranayinar kovil. There are two other shrines dedicated to Siva and Parvathi. Twice a year, the sun_fs rays fall on the pedestal.

It is located about 14 Km from Puliangudi and is accessible by government buses. Tourist cars and vans can also be arranged from Puliangudi.

MainDeity : Sankaralingeswarar,Sankara Narayanar Goddesses : Gomathi Amman Theertham : Nagasnai Holytree : Punnai

This temple also called as Avudaiamman Kovil or Davasu kovil or SankaraNayinar Kovil Depicts a good example for no distinction between Siva or Vishnu. Here the Main Deity Sankara Narayanar Poses himself with half Shiva (on the left side) and Half Vishnu (on the right) .Goddess Gomathi Amman is said to have worshipped the Lord at this place. This temple is also considered to be representing one of the five elements (Nilam/Land/Prthivi) in this area, the other being Nallur (Agni) ,Tharukapuram (Neer/Water/Jal) ,Thenmalai (Vayu) and Devathaanam (Agayam/Sky/Akash) .It was built by Ukira Pandiyan AC 900.

The general belief is that the Holy Sand "Puttrumann" that you get from this temple is capable of curing all the diseases. Devotees believe that Sankarankoil_es Nagasunai (sacred tank) have been dug by serpent kings named Paduman and Sangam which has a miraculous power to heal those who bathe there. The Annadhanam scheme is being conducted in the temple when daily noon meals are being provided for around 100 devotees. It is believed that all devotees who pray to the goddess Gomathi amman have always found solace.

Chithhirai Bramotsava ( 10 days ) Every April Adi thapasu festival ( 12 days ) August Iyppasi Thirukkalyanam festival ( 10 days ) October Theppam floating festival - Thai last Friday ( Every February ) Ph: 04636 222265.

Coutrallam/Kuttrallam

Located 37 km from Puliangudi, is famous for its numerous waterfalls. You can literally find people running around and taking bath in waterfalls with towels on their shoulders. The waterfalls are fed by the monsoon, colloquially referred to as "Kuttralam Season". Due to its location and relative cheap expenses, it is often referred to as "Poor man's paradise".The best time to visit is mid-June to September and October-January.

Courtallam is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). It is said that Lord Siva sent Saint Agastheyar to the south to avoid imbalance due to overcrowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding. Another notable feature of Courttalam is Chithra Sabha. This sabha is one of the five Sabas where Lord Nataraja performed the Cosmic-dance. Moreover this temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Chitra Sabha is made out of medicinal herbs. The wooden carved planks serve as doors.

Numerous rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate here.

Tenkasi

Tenkasi (South Kasi) is famous for its Ulagamman Temple and its Shiva Temple. The Ulagamman temple was built by Parakrama Pandian, but was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored with much financial assistance of Sivanthi Adithan and others, and it was given a fresh coat of paint again in 2006 by the same philanthropists. However, the first few feet from the ground has not been painted as that part appears to have survived the lightning. The gopuram or the entry gateway remains among the highest in southern Tamil Nadu. The main deity here is Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva). This temple has three Sannidhis [a unique aspect] - Sivan, Amman and Murugan Sannidhis. This temple has beautiful sculptures and also has musical stone pillars, that emit notes of different pitch when tapped with fingers. The entrance is really grand, with heavy steps. One could view the majestic Temple Gopuram even while entering the town. The Gopuram of the temple welcomes pilgrims with a pleasant cool breeze straight from the nearby Thirikooda Malai.

Kalugumalai

Kalugumalai locates in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil - around 35 Km from Puliangudi. An ancient Jain site in Tamil Nadu, which probably holds, many untold stories about the growth of Tamil civilization. One can see fine examples of Jain architecture and cave sculpting. We can find the rock cut images of Bhagawan Parshwanatha flanked by Daranendra Yaksha and Padmavathi Yakshi, umbrella and Chauri Bearers dating back to 8th and 9th century AD. There are many rock reliefs of Jain tirthankaras Vattuvan Koil (meaning a sculptor's paradise) is a Hindu temple built between the 8th and 9th century. The carvings reflect the southern temple style of the Pandya era.1

Kalugumalai contains a priceless unfinished Pandyan monolith cave temple, part of the iconographic richness that helped chronicle the burgeoning richness of the Tamil culture, traditions, and sacred centres containing religious art. The name of the town takes after the temple for Lord Muruga Kalugasalamoorthy Kovil built sometime in the 18th century.

Eco-Development and Model Farm project Ullar

Around 36 Km from Puliangudi A model farm, established by volunteers from through out the world , brought together by Projects-abroad. The farm features an area for preparing organic fertilizer, a nursery for medicinal plants and community work area. Main activities revolve around development and demonstration of organic and sustainable farming.4

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

There are numerous tea-shops for a hot sip of tea or coffee.

No fancy bar & restaurants over here! Liquor is sold through Government run agencies and we advise that travelers desist from venturing out to purchase directly. If temptation persists, the service boys in the lodge can get it for you! Please be aware that public comsumption is prohibited, and you could get into trouble.

Sleep

Janatha Hotels, started in Feb 2009, offers modern air-conditioned lodging with 24 hour hot water and room service. Phone - 91-4636-233850 Janatha Restaurant Phone - 91-4636-326162 http://janathahotel.blogspot.com

There are other small lodges available near the bus terminus

TTDC approved bed and breakfast - Smt. A. Padma, W/o - S. Arumugam, Uttchimahali amman , Koil Street, T.N. Puthukudi - Puliyankudi, Contact no. 91-9443323539

Contact

Health care

_f_fJanatha Hospital_f_f_f , Dr.Palvannan, 04636 233078

Get out

References

1.http://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D5%2BS%3D19%2BP%3D278%2BM%3D1144

2.www.kalugumalai.com

3.http://picasaweb.google.com/kalugumalai/Kalugumalai#

4.http://www.projects-abroad.org/projects/conservation-and-environment/india-eco-development-project/