VELANKANNI (11 kms. from Nagapattinam) Known as the Lourdes of India, this prosperous town has developed as a great place of pilgrimage not only for the Roman Back view of Basilica Catholic Christians, but also to Hindus and Muslims. It is located on the sea shore in idyllic surroundings at… Continue reading
Tirunallaru: 5 kms. from Karaikal. This small town has become very famous due to the situation of a rare temple for God Saturn. Although Saturn is only represented as one of the Navagrahas, a separate shrine has been constructed for this deity at this place as he is considered as… Continue reading
Karaikal: 12 kms. from Nagore. It was once a French settlement and a trading centre. The place has become famous due to the situation of the temple for the saint Karaikal Ammayar. The real name of the saint was Puithavathiar (which means a lady of merit). She grew up as… Continue reading
Nagore: 6 kms. from Nagapattinam. Popularly known as the Mecca of South India, it is a holy place not only for Muslims but also for Hindus and Christians. The tomb of the Sufi Saint Shahul Hamid or Saint Miran Sahib of the 16th century is situated here. There are five… Continue reading
NAGAPATTINAM (83 kms. from Thanjavur) This important port town has the shrine of Soundaryaraja Perumal and is considered as an important Vaishnava shrine. According to the legend, it was at this place that goddess Parvati got back her original Saundarya (beauty) after worshipping Vishnu. Another rarity of this place is… Continue reading
Tirukannamangai: 35 kms. Popularly known as Kannamangai, this tiny village has an ancient temple dedicated to Krishna. Although Shiva and Muruga temples are common in south India, this rare temple of Krishna is visited by many pilgrims as it has the seven essential features of a Vaishnava shrine. Hence is… Continue reading
Thiruppugalur: 30 kms. This village has a Shiva temple dedicated to Agneshwara. The majestic tower on the entrance has five tiers profusely decorated. The main Lingam of the shrine is in a slanting position which is attributed to the fact that the Lord accepts worship from any angle. Continue reading
Kuthanur: 20 kms. A rare temple of goddess Saraswati is located at this village which is said to have been built in the 9th century by Kulottunga Chola. This deity is associated with poet Ottakuthanur as he is said to have been blessed by the goddess as a result of… Continue reading
Thiruvarur: 55 kms. Known in the olden days as Poonkovil, the sacred Shiva temple here is dedicated to Thyagaraja Swamy. The place is considered as sacred as Chidambaram and Varanasi. It is the practice of this place not to take out the procession image of the Amman deity outside the… Continue reading
Manora: 65 kms. This place has an eight storey tower built by Rajah Sarfoji in 1814 to commemorate the victory of the friendly British Army over Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. Continue reading