Thiruchendur Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Thiruchendur

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is the prime attraction of the town. It is considered to be one of the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and his consorts Valli and Deivanai. The temple also houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple is said to have existed since the Vedic period and has been mentioned in several ancient texts.

The temple has a towering nine-tiered Gopuram or main entrance. A Nazhi Kinaru, a sacred well, constructed around a freshwater spring is found in the temple premises. Lord Murugan, who is expressed as Senthilandavar, faces the east although the entrance of the temple is towards the south. The unique feature of this temple is that it is the only Murugan Temple situated on the seashore while all the rest are located on hill tops and forests in India.

Festivals, such as Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Visakha Visakam, Skandha Sasthi, Aavanipperunithirunaal, Maasipperunthirunaal and Oonjal Sevai, are celebrated with pomp and glory and are important pilgrim attractions.

Panchalamkurichi Fort, also known as the Kattabomman Memorial Fort is a famous historic attraction located at Salikulam. The legends say that this fort was constructed in the 18th century by the Panchalamkurichi King Veera Pandya Kattabomman, who was a Palay-karra of the Madurai Nayak kingdom.

The fort is associated with several freedom fighters and rulers. In 1799, the British had destroyed the fort in the war when King Veera Pandya Kattabomman was imprisoned by the British. His brother recaptured the fort from the British. After Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India maintains the fort.

In 1974, the Tamil Nadu Government built a new fort in memory of the Panchalamkurichi fort and named it the Kattabomman Memorial Fort. The fort also houses a shrine dedicated to the ancestral goddess of Kattabomman, Goddess Jakkammal, within its premises. It is a must visit for history lovers.

Valli’s Cave, also known as Dattatreya’s cave is one of the popular sites of Thiruchendur. It is located on the sea shore towards the northern part of the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, below the sandstone cliff. It overlooks the sea and is a wondrous site.

The cave houses two images of Lord Murugan’s consorts Valli and Dattatreya. It has a stone mandapam which consists of 16 pillars which are about 24 and half feet long and 21 and half feet broad. Ancient carvings, images and paintings which depict the stories of Lord Murugan and Valli can also be found in the cave.

The cave has been renovated recently with granite flooring and layout on the sea.

The Kattabomman Memorial Fort, initially known as Panchalamkurichi Fort is a famous historic attraction located at Salikulam. This fort was constructed in the 18th century by the Panchalamkurichi King Veera Pandya Kattabomman, who was a Palay-karra of the Madurai Nayak kingdom.

In 1799, the British had destroyed the fort in the war when King Veera Pandya Kattabomman was captured by the British. The fort was later recaptured from the British by his brother. Post-independence, the Archaeological Survey of India maintains the fort.

In 1974, the Tamil Nadu Government built a new fort in memory of the Panchalamkurichi fort and named it the Kattabomman Memorial Fort. That is how Kattabomman Memorial Fort came into existence in the modern times.

The fort also houses a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jakkammal, the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, within its premises. It is a must-visit for lovers of history.

Kudirai Mozhitheri is a famous picnic spot in Thiruchendur. It is one of the natural attractions of Thiruchendur. Kudirai Mozhitheri is located 12 km away from Thiruchendur and is known for its natural fresh water spring.

Melaputhukudi Ayyanar Temple is a popular tourist destination. Melaputhukudi is a picturesque hamlet located at a distance of about 10 km from Thiruchendur; this village is surrounded by ponds.

The village is home to an ancient Ayyanar temple and a scenic thzhampoo groove. The village is famous for paddy, cashew, Naval Pazham and, of course, thzhampoo. It is one of the most glorious picnic spots of Tamil Nadu.

The Vanathirupathi temple in Punnai Nagar is a beautiful temple built by the proprietors of Shavana Group of hotels in their native place. It is located near Katchana Vilai Station about 20 km away from Thiruchendur.