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Places to Visit in Papanasam with Distances (Rivers, Waterfalls, Dams and Temples)

Renu on August 27, 2019

If you are looking for places to visit in Papanasam, surprisingly there are so many picnic spots you could go to. Papanasam is a small village located 60 kms from Tirunelveli city, falls under Ambasamudram taluk.

Papanasam is a must visit place once in your life time because it is a house for waterfalls, rivers, dams, green fields and historical temples. And all the goodnesses surrounded by hills and forests is a sight to sore eyes.

(Note: there is another place called “Papanasam” near Kumbakonam, also a famous place in Tamilnadu, mostly for temples).

Places to Visit in Papanasam with Distances

Here is a quick look at the sightseeing places to visit in and around Papanasam, Tirunelveli district:

In Papanasam – Ancient LordShiva temple at the foot of Agasthiyar Falls
Papanasam to Manimuthar (waterfalls and dam) – 14 kms
Papanasam to Manjolai (Tea estates) – 65 kms (via Manimutharu)
Papanasam to Courtallam – 34 kms
Papanasam to Tirumalai kovil, Panpoli – 50 kms (via Ilanji and Tenkasi)
Papanasam to Ilanji Kumarar Temple – 37 kms
Papanasam to Tenkasi Ancient Ulagamman and Kasi Vishwanathar temple- 34 kms
Tenkasi to Courtallam – 5.5 kms
Papanasam to Tirunelveli – 60 kms

I know it is not practically possible to look at all places in Papanasam, here are some popular places to visit in Papanasam in one or two days.

Take a dip in Agasthiyar Waterfalls and Visit Papanasanathar Sivan Temple

This famous Hindu temple is located at the foot of Agasthiyar Forest and Waterfalls at the distance of 2.7kms.
All the vehicles are allowed up to the foothill of waterfalls. There is toilet and dress change facilities near the parking.
No entry fee to enter the forest but a nominal fee for the waterfalls entry. No special fee for cameras.
Forest and waterfalls entry is restricted after 5 PM.
The famous Lord Siva temple is called as Papanasanathar or Mukkalanathar, lingam in the main sanctum is believed to be one of the 9 planetary deities – Lord Suriya.
This temple is one of the nava kailasam temples on the banks of Thamirabarani river and thus famously called Suriyan temple.

Best sighseeing places in Tirunelveli district - Papanasam agasthiyar falls — The best places to visit in Papanasam Tirunelveli – Agasthiyar falls

Famous Temples in Papanasam - travelduo images — The Best places to visit in Papanasam Tirunelveli – Sivan Temple entrance view

Places to Visit near Papanasam – Courtallam Main falls, Courtallam Five falls and Tenkasi

Courtallam ranks top in the places to visit in Papanasam Tirunelveli.
Not much intro is required for this famous place in Tirunelveli district, the locals call it as Kuttalam, otherwise called Courtallam, is house for many rivers and waterfalls.
Since the Nickname “Spa of South India”.
Distance from Papanasam to Courtallam is 34 kms.
This place is said to be the origin of rivers namely – Chittar river, Manimuthar river, Pachaiyar river, Thamirabarani river.
Most people visit Courtallam mainly for taking a dip in the main falls and pray to lord Siva.
You have toilet and dress change facilities here near the car parking area.
You could also visit courtallam five falls – Series of 5 small river cascades above a shallow pond, with separate bathing areas for men & women.
June to September are the best months to visit courtallam, later the entry is closed to waterfalls due to heavy rain and floods.
The famous Lord Kutralanathar temple (Lord Siva) is located at the foot of the main falls – Peraruvi.
This temple is one of the Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal, refer to the places where Lord Nataraja performed his cosmic dance.

Famous places to visit near Papanasam - Courtallam falls — Courtallam Main falls (Periya aruvi) Travelduo images in January Month

Courtallam falls and Lord Siva temple travelduo images — Courtallam Sivan Temple – Entrance view

Tenkasi is just 5.5 kms From Courtallam- house for one of the biggest temples in Tamilnadu

Tenkasi is the 34th district in Tamilnadu since 2019. This small town is built around the very famous, majestic dravidian style of architecture – Kasi Vishwanathar Ulagamman temple.
It is firmly believed that worshipping lord Siva in this temple would bring in as much benefits to the devotees as praying in Kasi – Varanasi.
This temple is notably famous for the swayambhu murti of Lord Siva, 180 feet artistic – majestic gopuram and exquisite beauty of the temple sculptures are world known.

The Best places to visit near Papanasam Tirunelveli - Tenkasi — The majestic 180 feet Gopuram View of Tenkasi Kaasi VishwanatharTemple

Places to Visit Near Papanasam – Manimuthar Dam and Waterfalls

Another important places to visit in Papanasam is Manimuthar dam and waterfalls, about 14 kms from Papanasam.
If you are travelling from Tirunelveli to visit Papanasam, spend some time in Manimuthar dam before heading towards Papanasam.
Situated above 6kms from Manimuthar dam is Manimuthar waterfalls and river, with the entry fee of 25 rupees per person. Camera fees extra.

Thamirabarani river near manimuthar dam, travelduo images — Best places to visit in Papanasam Tirunelveli images – Tamirabarani river near Manimuthar dam

Read – A moment of glory in Kanchipuram – Athi Varadar Perumal Raise Once in 40 yrs – We did Darshan on 21 July 2019

Places to visit Near Papanasam – Manjolai

If you are travelling from Tirunelveli, Manjolai is another tourist place to stop before heading to Manimuthar and Papanasam.

Located on top of the Manimuthar dam is Manjolai, about 23 kms from Manimuthar and about 63 km from Tirunelveli, is famous for tea plantations -Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate & Oothu Estate.

Famous Temples in and around Papanasam with distances

Papanasanathar Sivan Temple, Papanasam
Kutralanathar Sivan Temple, Courtallam, 34 kms
Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Tenkasi, 34 kms
Shri Ilanji Kumarar Koil – Ilanji ,37 kms
Tirumala Koil -Panpoli, 50 kms
Thooranamalai Sri Murugan Koil – Perumpattu, 25 kms
Sri Nithya Kalyani Amman Temple, Kilakadayam, 19 kms
Ponmalai Murugan Temple, Pulavanoor, 20 kms

Summary

Here is how you can plan one day trip from Tirunelveli to Papanasam –

Tirunelveli – Manjolai – Manimuthar dam (skip waterfalls) – Agasthiyar falls – Papanasam Sivan temple.

(or)

Tirunelveli – Papanasam – Courtallam.

See how we spent time in Papanasam and Tirunelveli in our recent 5 days road trip from Bangalore.

If you have a plan to stay in Courtallam then you can plan for Courtallam waterfalls and trekking, visit to all other places mentioned above.

You Know Athi Varadar Perumal Raise Once in 40 yrs Only? – We did Darshan on 21 July 2019

Renu on July 25, 2019

Athi varadar perumal darshan road trip to Vellore, Kanchipuram

Athi Varadar – Lord Vishnu made of Fig tree, has raised from the temple pond on July 1st 2019 after 40 long years.

Athi Varada Perumal, 9 feet tall fig wooden idol is kept immersed in “Kanchipuram Varadaraja temple” Pushkarini (the temple’s pond) for 350 yrs, he raises out of pond once in 40 yrs.

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple’s pond water was cleared to bring out the idol and placed in the temple mandapam for 48 days for devotees darshan.

There were footfall of lakhs of devotees every single day since day 1, to darshan Lord in the Sayana Kolam / Ranganathar Kolam (Lying posture). News is that the Lord will be placed in Nindra Kolam (Sri Venkatesa Perumal Kolam) in the last 10 days.

We were blessed to see him on Sunday 21st July 2019 in Sayana kolam, around 7pm, after waiting in que for 3.30 hrs, walked about 8kms from car parking to darshan.

We had planned for 2 days road trip from Bangalore to Vellore. On the first day we traveled from Bangalore, stayed in Vellore, traveled to Kanchipuram from Vellore for Athi Varadar Darshan. On the second day we visited Vellore Golden temple before we left to Bangalore.

Image Courtesy – Social Media

For Athi Varadar Darshan: How We Reached Kanchipuram From Bangalore

Bangalore to Vellore

We started on 21st July Sunday Morning by 5.45 am from our home by car. We had breakfast at our all time favourite Krishna Inn in Shoolagiri (Right next to McDonald’s in Bangalore to Salem highways).
Reached Vellore by 11am, had wonderful darshan in Vellore Shiva Temple – Jalakandeswarar Temple located inside the Vellore Fort.
We checked in at the hotel Khanna Fiesta around 12 noon, took a much needed break from long drive before we got ready to leave to Kanchipuram.
Then had a light lunch in the ground floor khanna Veg restaurant, before we started our travel to Kanchipuram.

Drive to Kancheepuram – Athi Varadar Darshan

We reached Kanchipuram before 4pm, parked our vehicle 1 km away from the Sri Varadaraja temple East gopuram. Left our footwears in the nearest shop, headed towards the gopuram entrance. We somehow had hope of getting special entrance for a fee, but we were told that there are no paid entrance, except for general que for all the devotees.
Joined the general que at 4.05 pm, walked among the flood of devotees, with the free biscuit pack and mini water bottle provided by the government service. There were lots of people running among the crowd testing our patience.
And some were pushing and elbowing the people for a quick getaway, some lost temper and got into fist fights. But we stood in queue calmly to save energy for a long walk.
We reached the darshan mandap in 3.5 hrs time, had wonderful darshan of Lord Athi Varadar in the Sayana Kolam.
There was also a special que from the temple entrance for family with elders and kids. Also there was a special que for devotees with VIP tickets, god knows how we couldn’t get one. For all of them it only took 45 mins to reach Darshan mandap.
There was a live telecast of the pooja being performed to the Lord AthiVaradar. It kept the audience engaged for those long hrs of painful queue.
There was also a team of doctors camp for first – aid just in case.

Returning back to Vellore – The Reason for stay in Vellore

After Lord Athi Varadar darshan, we got back energy all the energy we lost standing /slow walking in the que. We came out of the temple (don’t know exactly which side of temple), walked for about 3 kms to reach the east gopuram to collect our shoes. Then again walked for about 1km to reach our vehicle parking.

We have book marked the vehicle parking area in google maps, so it was no trouble getting to the vehicle in the pitch dark.

Started the car and headed straight to Vellore, reached the stay by 9.30, with the rumbling stomach. Soon after reaching the hotel, we had dinner in the in-house Veg restaurant Called Khanna Veg Restaurant.

We didn’t want to eat in Kancheepuram from our previous trip experience. Wonder where people eat in this most visited pilgrimage place with footfall of lakhs of devotees all year round.

This was one of the reason for not choosing to book room in Kancheepuram, but even if we had tried we would not have got it in these 48 days.

Kanchipuram town is world wide famous for its unique traditional silk sarees. Kanchipuram is house for hundreds of handlooms for authentic and exquisite silk sarees manufacturing and retail sales.

Well, in both the visits in the past we have bought silk sarees from a famous shop. This time we didn’t plan for any shopping, our only intention was to get at least the glimpse of Lord Athi Varadar.

We were more than blessed to visit him on 21st july 2019, Sunday 7pm, a moment of glory with Lord Athi Varada Perumal.

7 Articles on Trekking in Coorg I found Useful for Travelers

Renu on November 15, 2018

I have found 7 articles from famous bloggers on Trekking in Coorg which are useful for Travelers.

We are just back from 4 days bike trip to Coorg from Bangalore, starting from 1st November to 4th November 2018.

Travelling to any new destinations, we both invest some time to know the places, temple histories, places to see around, good restaurants and good accommodations.

So, I have compiled all the blog articles that I read which talk about Coorg travel, Trekking in Coorg, Homestays, Coffee plantation experiences and much more.

And I shared my travel experience in Madikeri Coorg, at the end of this article.

About Coorg – Kodagu, also known as Coorg, is a rural district in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka. In the area’s north, Madikeri Fort has 2 life-size elephant statues at its entrance, plus a Gothic-style church with a museum on its grounds. Nearby, the Hindu Omkareshwara Temple dates back to the 19th century. Farther north are the domed Raja’s Tomb, a burial place of Kodava kings, and cascading Abbi Falls. (Source Wikipedia)

Part I: 7 Real life Traveler’s experience on Trekking in Coorg

Travel Highway Blog

This is an interesting travel article where every bit of trek to Tadiandamol, Coorg is explained. I loved the way the author narrated her story from start to end of the trekking at Coorg with a group of 15 members. She narrated that how she had a difficult time trekking without proper shoes, lack of water and food supply and unforgettable experience when the team saw a snake in the trails. It was quite an article with many pics.

But, no much information on where she camped (if any), transportation and accommodation details. All I learnt from her article is I would need good supportive shoes, food and water supply and team coordination as I might get split up on the way up.

So, overall this article is helpful for travellers interested in Coorg one day trip and trekking in Coorg.

Thinking Particle Blog

This article caught my interest because the author traveled by bike to Coorg from Bangalore, and shared his both bike ride and trek experience to Mandalapatti. Our extensive Bike ride experiences have taught us many lessons – one of them is “be prepared for any sudden deviation in the plan at any point in time”.

I was not surprised when the author mentioned that they could not go trek on the planned day due to bike ride delay. I could very well relate to our bike ride experiences, where many things went wrong in our bike travel, one of them is in Dubare Elephant Camp.

It is an interesting article to see his pics of his bike ride, trekking and camping in Coorg.

Suramya Blog

This is another useful and descriptive article on one-day trekking in Coorg from Bangalore. If you are looking for a guide on one-day trek guide to tadiandamol from Bangalore, this article explains it all. From her trek experience I understood, they returned on the same day to Bangalore – accommodation details also provided. She has carried her food and water supply, so no complaints on those. Overall it seems to be a pleasant experience. Pics say it all.

Escape To Explore Blog

Yet another descriptive article on one day trek to Tadiandamol, Coorg from Bangalore. I liked the way the author first experienced trekking in rain and kayaking. And her trip ended at Golden temple in Nisargadama. In her words, it is “soul-satisfying experience”. If you are looking for a one-day trek in Coorg or planning to book one-day trekking in Coorg via Thrillophilia, this article would be useful. And useful for travelers looking for Coorg one day trip from Bangalore, especially for trekking plans.

My Recent Trips Blog

Even though the author has not gone any trekking in Coorg trip she went, I listed this article for the information, “do’s and dont’s” from her 3 days and 2 nights travel plan.

She has covered Mysore and Coorg in 3 days, spending 12k on budget. Overall, this is a very useful article for someone who is planning to couple 2 places (Mysore and Coorg) in one trip and how you can make maximum out of the trip sightseeing many places.

Like her, we too did stay in Mysore on day-1, roamed around the cleanest city in the evening, headed to Coorg on day-2. If you are looking for one day trip to Coorg from Mysore, I would suggest following this article, pick the places from her article which would fit your plan (Just saying 🙂 )

Maptia Blog

This is the best Nishani Motte trek (Coorg) blog article I have come across. Author has captured some breathtaking pics in his Nishani Motte Trek, Coorg and shared his 2 days homestay and trekking in Coorg.

You can follow his article if you are planning to go trek to Nishani Motte, I would too in future inspired his very own words in the article,

“If you want to experience wilderness in its rawest form, trails which are crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, fulfilling, leading to the most amazing views and experiences, Nishani Motte gives you that Thrilling Experience ! !”

Am sure you would fall in love with his words and photography. Also you will know all details like Nishani motte from coorg, best place to stay in Coorg etc.,

EvolveBack Blog

This author has written general guidance about –1. Tadiandamol trek 2. Bramagiri Trek 3. Galibeedu Trek and the best season to travel and trekking in Coorg. Wish he had written more about the trekking places in Coorg and added few more pics to narrate the experience. Not much you can learn from his article, but it was in my research list, so sharing with the readers here.

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