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History
The Visvanathar Temple and the Tenkasi town were constructed by King Parakrama Pandya,
who styled himself as Jatilavarman Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Arikesarideva Ponnin
Permal, Parakrama Pandyan in his inscriptions. The events leading to the construction
and successful completion of the temple complex within a short span of 17 years
between 1446 AD and 1462 AD asvividly narrated in one of his inscription in the
temple are quite wellknown to be repeated. It is evident that the entire temple
complex, the town, the sub-shrines and the matas in different parts ofthe town owed
their existence to the later Pandyas and stand out as thegrandest monument of the
Tenkasi Pandyas.
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About Tenkasi
Tenkasi 53 km north of Tirunelveli, was the home of the later Pandya chiefs in the
15C-16C and later the Madurai Nayakas. The town is dominated by the Vishwanatha
temple which has remarkable sculptures. The sculptures dated to the end of 17C include
2m high figures of Shiva dancing Kali, Krishna, Rati and Bhikshatanamurti among
others. The flagstaff of the temple 400 years old, is noteworthy for its sculptural
beauty. The resort of Courtallam, situated at an elevation of about 167 mts. on
the Western Ghats is just 6km from Tenkasi. It is famous for its sacred waterfall,
the waters of which is believed to have medicinal qualities as it flows through
forests of herbs. There is a temple here dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar(Siva).
Courtallam is around 60 km from Tirunelveli. The nearest air-ports are Madurai and
Trivandrum and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi. The best Season is from July
to September.
Tenkasi is also famous for saral (drizzling). During May-August every year, people
enjoy saral in Tenkasi. The main tourist attraction of tenkasi is Coutrallam. Coutrallam
is a place for exotic riverfalls where in the tourist get here flooding.
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