This is the district headquarters. Major industries such as SPIC, Chennai Industries, Heavy water Plant and Thermal Plant are located here. It is also called “Pearl City’’ in view of the pearl fishing being conducted periodically. The city is also famous for the production of salt. Sri Sankara Rameswarar Temple and one Sri Vaikundapathy Temple built by the Pandya King Sankara Pandyan.
Athichanallur: In Archaeological point of view, this place has a glorious past and it is located on the bank of river Tamirabarani. It is assumed that, in ancient times, a civilised habitation was well flourished here. Some monuments i.e., Urns (burnt-clay vessels which were used for burying the dead bodies of the very old people), small mud vessels were found near the river Tamirabarani and they are supportive evidences for the civilisation. This place is now under the supervision of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
Ayyanar Sunai: It is 10 Kms from Tiruchendur. A natural water spring in the desert with Ayyanar temple attracts local tourists.
Bharathiar Mani Mandapam: In memory of the National poet Subramania Bharatiar a memorial was built by Kalki Krishna Moorthy in 1945 and Mahatma Gandhi showered his blessings on the occasion of its opening. In 1981 the centenary year of Bharatiar was celebrated. This was taken over by the Public Relations Department on 11-12-1981.Located at Ettayapuram.
Ettaiyapuram (Palace):34 Kms from Tuticorin. This is the birth place of Mahakavi Bharathiyar. A Memorial Umarupulavar Dhansha is also located here. During the region of Pandyas time at Madurai people from Chandragiri near Chittoor of Andra Pradesh were brought and posted as ‘’watch keepers(Dhisai Kavalars) of Ilasanadu. This was later called Ettayapuram. Ettayapuram was formed in 1565.
Kattabomman Memorial Fort: This was built in 1974. The visitors can see this during day time 8 a.m to 1 p.m & 2 p.m to 6 p.m. Family goddess Jackammal is nearby to it. The snap shot of the 5th generation heir of Veerapandya Kattabomman temple is also in photograph shown. His name is Vee.Veemaraja alias Jegaveera Pandya Subbramania Kattabomma Durai. Bommu means the god Sastha Ayyanam Swamy. The British sentence of death by hanging to Kattabomman and others on charges of reason, for their freedom struggle. The entrance fee for the visitors is 50 paise for children and Rs 1/- for adults.Ph :04632 – 2366149.
Kazhugu Malai :It is 21 Kms. from Kovilpatti. This place is famous for the Jain cave temple and jain architecture. There is also a Murugan Temple called Kalugasalamoorthy Kovil which belongs to the 18th century.
Kayatar: This small town is 24 Kms from Tirunelveli on NH7 Madurai road. Veerapandiya Kattabomman who raised first voice against British was hanged at a tamarind tree here on 16-10-1799.Now this place is preserved as monument.
Korkai Port: 29 Kms from Tiruchendur. Korkai, the ancient Port City (12th Centuary) of the Pandya Kings of the Sangam period, now identified with the village Korkai (Srivaikundam taluk of Thoothukudi Dt.) has attracted the attention of scholars, historians and archaeologist for more than a century. Although Korkai is recognised as an ancient Port City, its precise location is still a point of conjecture. Korkai is now remote village, In this article, an attempt is made to locate the port based on field exploration, folk beliefs, and coastal geology and geomorphology.
Kulasekarapattinam: The Muthuraman temple 20 Kms from Tiruchendur is known for the popular ‘Dasara’ festival where folk dance artists from all over the state participate in the festival. It is a coastal village with fine beach.
Manapadu: 18 Kms, from Tiruchendur. It is on the sea-shore at the Bay of Bengal. An ancient Roman Catholic Church is here where the Cross is said to have been brought from Jerusalem. This Church is also associated with St.Xavier, the famous missionary from West. Since there are other small temples here in this place is called as ‘’Chinna Jerusalem’’(Small Jerusalem ).
Ottapidaram / V.O.Chidambaranar Illam: Ottapidaram continues to be a Tourism centre for Freedom fighters, since it is the birth place of the great patriot V.O.Chidambaranar. His house has been converted into a memorial and is preserved by the government on 12-12-1961.His statue, life history and photo galaries are displayed in his memorial. It is 167.12 sqm. Situated at 2/119,V.O.C.Street, Ottapidaram.
Panchalankurichi : Panchalankurichi, a small but historic village. 18 km from Tuticorin. From here the great warrior’’ Veerapandiya Kattabomman’’ raised his voice against the British regime in the 17th Century A.D. The fort was converted as a memorial by the Govt.of Tamil Nadu in 1974.Sri Devi Jakkammal Temple, the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, is located near the fort. The cemetery of British soldiers are seen near the fort. Within the memorial Hall, there are beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga. The tourists can easily get a good idea about the history of the momentous period from that.
Thiruchendur: Thiruchendur is situated on the coast of Mannar. It is 40 Kms from Thoothukudi. Tiruchendur is very popular for the seashore temple of Loard Subramanya. The temple tower and the sculptures of the temples are worth seeing. It is also ideal for see bathing. The temple is one among the six abodes. Lord Subramanya, after defeating Soorapadma came to this place offered his prayers to Lord Siva. That victory is still celebrated by the pilgrims here during the Tamil Month ‘Aippasi’ as a festival. Ph: 0462 – 242221.
Vanchi Maniyachi: The original name of the place is Maniyachi which has been renamed as ‘’Vanchi Maniyachi’’ in memory of the brave freedom fighter Vanchi Nathan, who shot dead the then British Collector of Tirunelveli here.