Tuticorin popularly known as Thoothukudi is a port city in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Tuticorin is known as the Pearl City due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town. Thoothukudi has a fascinating history forming part of the Pandian kingdom between 7th and 9th Century A.D., Thoothukudi remained in the hands of the Cholas during the period between 9th and 12th century. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in 1532 A.D., followed by the Dutch in 1658 A.D. The English Captured Thoothukudi from the Dutch in 1782 and the East India Company established their control over Thoothukudi in the same year. The lighthouse built in 1842 marked the beginning of the history of Thoothukudi harbour development. In 1907,  June 1st, one of the greatest freedom fighters of India, Mr. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, launched the first swadeshi ship, sailing the first steamer “S.S. Gaelia” to Colombo from Thoothukudi. The climate is hot and dry.  The district has a coastal line of 163.5Kms which brings the district as major salt producer in the state and contributes 30% of the total salt production of the country. Emergence of Thoothukudi as a maritime port & the places around has attracted travelers, adventures, and eventually colonizers.   

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Tiruchendur, in the district of Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan.  It is the Second place of Arupadai veedu among the six abodes of Murugan. Mentioned in the Sangha literature and Silapathikaram, this temple is believed to be 2000-3000 years old. This Temple has a rich history to experience its spiritual ambiance, architectural grandeur & the sea adds to its unique charm. It is renowned for its association with Lord Murugan and the legends surrounding his victory over the demon king Surapadman. The temple complex measures 91 meters north to south and 65 meters east to west. Its nine-tier gopuram (tower gate) stands tall at 157 feet. The principal entrance faces south, leading into two prakarams. The temple hosts various festivals, including the Surasamharam and Kanda Shasti. Notably, this temple is the fourth Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu to receive ISO certification.

Valli’s Cave, also known as Dattatreya’s cave is located on the sea shore towards the northern part of the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, below the sandstone cliff. Along with a stone mandapam which consists of 16 pillars with about 24.5 feet long and 21 .5 feet broad, a cave houses two images of Lord Murugan’s consorts Valli and Dattatreya are within. Ancient carvings, images and paintings which depict the stories of Lord Murugan and Valli can also be found in the cave.

The St. Paul chapel located in the heart of Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, was built in 1548 and renovated in 1582, when the statue of Mother Mary was installed. In 1713, a new basilica was built and consecrated, which would become the Basilica of Our Lady of Snows. Our Lady of Snows Shrine is a masterpiece of architecture and a glorious manifestation of the divine. This breathtaking shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a beacon of faith of the Tamil Catholic community, and for all those who seek to draw closer to the divine. The church, with its soaring arches, graceful curves, and intricate carvings, is a symphony of beauty, a soaring tribute to the glory of the divine. The high vaulted ceiling, seeming to reach for the heavens, fills the soul with a sense of wonder and awe. The stained glass windows, with their intricate patterns and rich colors, fill the space with a warm and inviting glow, a sense of comfort and peace that cannot be described in words. On August 5, the Feast of Our Lady of Snows, the shrine is transformed into a vision of splendor, a celebration of faith that lifts the soul and fills the heart with joy. The festival, a major event in Thoothukudi, draws pilgrims from across the region, all seeking to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, renew their commitment to their faith, and experiences the profound spiritual power of the shrine. For those looking to stay overnight, the shrine offers comfortable accommodations for pilgrims, a place of rest and rejuvenation, and a chance to reflect and connect with the divine.

Arulmigu Kulasai Mutharamman Temple is located in the port city of Kulasekarapattinam at a distance of 14 km from Thiruchendur in the Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is a 300-year-old temple that was built during the reign of King Maravarman Kulasekaran. The presiding deities are found in sitting posture. Just below them Siva (“Arulmigu Ganamoortheeswarar”) in the form of a swyambu is found. As like Meenakshi in Madurai, Mutharamman gets a prominent place here. Dasara, the most famous festival after Mysore in India is held in this temple. In order to escape from Mahishasura the Devas and rishis prayed Parvati and asked to get relieved from him. At that time, through the yaga, a baby girl namely Lalithambikai appeared. The child grew up in nine days and on the tenth day she became the Parasakthi Lalitambikai and slayed Mahishasura. The 10th day, of his killing, is celebrated as Dasara. The previous nine days are celebrated as Navaratri. During this festival, devotees from all over Tamil Nadu will take “viradham”(fasting) by maintaining utmost purity of body, mind and soul and take Kumbha wearing various costumes. Every year, lakhs of devotees throng at the Temple to witness this unique festival. The festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Avani (between August and September).

St. James Church in Manapad a coastal town in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu is a significant religious site with a fascinating history. The church is also known as Periya Kovil (meaning “Big Church”).  It has a rich history dating back several centuries. Originally, the Church of Our Lady of Assumption served as the parish church. However, the Dutch converted it into an arsenal in 1585. Since then, St. James Church has been the primary parish church. The church houses a fragment believed to be from the True Cross of Jerusalem. The main altar of St. James Church is made out of teak wood, adding to its uniqueness. St. James Church is dedicated to St. James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Its architecture, relics, and serene surroundings make it a memorable experience

Kattabomman Memorial Fort, also known as the Panchalankurichi Fort is a famous historic attraction located at Panchalankurichi which is 30km from Thoothukudi. This fort was constructed in the 18th century by the Panchalankurichi King Veerapandiya Kattabomman. In 1799, the British had destroyed the fort in the war when King Veerapandiya Kattabomman was imprisoned by the British. His brother recaptured the fort from the British later. After Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India maintains the fort. In 1974, the Tamil Nadu Government built a new fort in memory of the Panchalankurichi 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.

We might not be familiar with the small desert found in Tamil Nadu called Theri kaadu. Theri kaadu a natural attraction only exists in Kuthirai Mozhi Theri around 15 kms from Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district and is made up of red sand dunes. It is spread across 12,000 acres. They are composed of marine sediments that date back at least to the Quaternary Period. They have a relatively limited capacity for water and nutrient retention. Even cultivation is not possible in Theri Kaadu, But the farmers grow palm trees and cashew nut trees. But if there is a drought, these could perish. People from South East Tamilnadu come to Therikaadu region as there are so many temples around this area like Petchi Amman Temple &  Ayyanar Temple with beautiful location surrounded by ponds and very old tall trees,.

Vanathirupathi temple a beautiful temple built by the proprietors of Saravana Group of hotels in their native place in Punnai Nagar about 20Kms from Tiruchendur and about 45 Kms from Tirunelveli. Vanathirupathi temple is a beautiful place for worshiping Lord Venkateswara as seen as in Tirumala. The other deities in the temple are Lord Vinayaka at the entrance, Lord Yoganarasimha in the front right side and Lord Anjaneya in the front left side. Here we can get a pleasant darshan as the temple is beautiful with granite cladding and atmosphere is maintained very clean. The temple is opened from 7AM to 8PM without any closing.

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (also called Srivaikuntam temple and Kallapiran temple) in Srivaikuntam, a town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located 22 km from Tirunelveli & 32 km from Thiruchendur. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikunthanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikuntha Valli. The temple is also classified as a Nava Tirupati, the nine temples revered by Nammalvar located in the banks of Tamiraparani river.  The temple is next only to Alwarthirunagari Temple in terms of importance among the nine Navatirupathi temple. The temple is one of the Navagraha temples in Vaishnavism, associated with Surya, the sun god. The temple occupies an area of 5 acres and is surrounded by a granite wall 580 ft (180 m) long and 396 ft (121 m) broad, enclosing all its shrines and two of its three bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is 110 ft (34 m) tall. This is the only temple where Adishesha the serpent, guards Vishnu in standing posture unlike the other places where it covers in sitting posture. There is a shrine that houses the images of the ten avatars of Vishnu. The temple served as a fort during the patriotic war of Kattabomman with the British. The temple has a nine-tier rajagopuram amidst lush vegetation around the temple. The temple follows Tenkalai tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, among which the ten-day annual Brahmotsavam is the main during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April – May)