HILL STATIONS

Courtallam

Courtallam, the 'Spa of the south', is situated at an elevation of about 167m on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is an excellent health resort and it is Famous for its water falls. It has an interesting legend. Devotees believes that Lord Shiva sent saint Agastheya to the south to avoid imbalance due to the over crowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding.

Courtallam temple is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha. Chitra Sabha (Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees, puranic stories and religious events. The Sabha is one of the five Sabhas, where Lord Nataraja is said to have performed the cosmic dance.

Peraruvi(Main Falls), Chitraruvi(Small Falls), Shenbaga devi Falls, Thenaruvi(Honey Falls), Anitharuvi(Five Falls), Pazhathotta Aruvi, puli Aruvi(tiger Falls), Pazhaya Courtallam(old Falls), palaruvi these are not only a tourist spot but also a famous health resort. Every year June to September we can enjoy the falls season. It contains lot of herbs which are good for the health. Courtallam water has medicinal properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. During the falls season thousands of tourists from far and near visit this place.

Courtallam is a well-known bathing place and tourist attraction. Some ofits magnificent waterfalls (there are as many as seven) of the Chittar river are said to have mineral properties. Bathing in these waterfalls is considered good for both mind and body. The best time to visit this health resort is during June-September. Courtallam is 58 Km by road fromTirunelveli and 6 Km from Tenkasi Railway Station. Courtallam has another names like Pithur Kanda Theerthapuram, Mukthiveli, Thirunagaram, Nannagaram,Vasanthaperur and so.

Other Places : Within a distance of 40 to 60 km from Tiruchendur are Tuticorin(port), Tirunelveli (railway junction), Krishnapuram (known for templesculptures) and Tenkasi (temple town).

Places to Visit
It is a big tourist attraction and is visited by young and old alike, because of the herbal medicinal properties the water is believed to contain. The town is noted for its salubrious climate and natural scenery. There are 2 important temples here. One dedicated to Shiva is called as Thirukuttralanathar. The othr temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga (2 Kms from Courtallam).

Another interesting place is Thirumalai - 15 Kms. from Courtallam, where there is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Muruga on the ranges of the Western ghats.

Thirukuttralanatha Swamy Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Thirukuttralanathar (Shiva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha (Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees,puranic stories and religious events. The sabha is one of the five Sabhas where Lord Nataraja performed the cosmic dance.

Lord Thirukuttralanathar temple is surrounded by mountains and rivers which has placed it's name in the famous Thaevaram. The Lord Shiva only called as " Thirukuttralanathar "and the Amman is named as " Kuzhalal VaiMozhi ". This pilgrimage centre has a famous waterfalls in it known as Shivamathungai. This pilgrimage centre got its name since the famous poet "Agathiyar" worshipped here. Also it was well sung by almost all the community poet's. It has many sub-temples in Courtallam and they were maintained by the temple Devasthanam. The temples are as follows

• ShenbagaDevi Amman Temple
  
  
• Koothar Koil
  
  
• ChithiraSabai
  
  
• ThirugnanaSambandar Koil (Pillaiyar Koil)
  
  
• Courtalla NangaiKoil
  
  
• AdiyaetumParaipanri Madaswamy Koil
  
  
• AavaranapPillaiyar Koil
  
  
• NannagaramPillaiyar Koil
  
  
• ThittaiPillaiyar Koil
  
  
• PasupathaSastha Koil
  
  
• PaatapathuSastha Koil
  
  
• SundaramoorthiKoil