Papanasam - A Scenic Town in the Western Ghats

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Site Name:  Papanasam
Site Type: A scenic town with a lot of tourist options - waterfalls, dams, wild life, forest, temples
Location:  Papanasam, near Ambasamudram town, near Tirunelveli city, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights:  A little known pleasant town located in the Western Ghats range
Nearest Railway Station: Ambasamudram
Nearest Airport: Tirunelveli
How to reach: Well connected by road from Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram; a lot of buses are available for this town as this is a popular picnic spot
Hotel: Few options in Ambasamduram and Papanasam; more options in the nearby city Tirunelveli
Restaurants: Only few options in Ambasamudram and Papanasam

Ambasamudram is a picturesque town located on the banks of the beautiful Tamraparni river and on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The nearest city of Ambasamudram is Tirunelveli. It is located in Tamil Nadu state in South India.The town has a lot of scenic spots and temples. Papanasam is a smaller town located near Ambasamudram which offers a lot more scenic spots, dams and wonderful waterfalls. Let us explore the town in detail.

There are so many options for tourists in this little town. Even there are a lot of interesting sites surrounding this town. Let me try to cover as much as possible.

Tamraparni river:

Tamraparni is the perennial river that is originated near this town and flows in full speed through this town. Your travel should ideally start with this river. If you enjoy river bath, do not miss to take bath here.

Papanasar Temple:

Papanasar temple is the most popular site of the town. It is very popular temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is very ancient and huge. Thousands of people visit this grand temple located on the banks of the river.

Thalai Anai:

Thalai Anai is a small scenic dam located near Papanasar temple.

Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary:

Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary is the second largest protected area in the state. It is the house of about 70 tigers and 70 leopards.

Lower Dam:

Those do not visit any other places in Papanasam would definitely visit lower dam and upper dam. The lower dam is the first among those twin dams which is very popular in this region.

Agastiar Falls:

Who would not enjoy the beauty of waterfalls which is located amidst forests on the Western Ghats hills, and importantly not crowded? Agastiar Waterfalls is a small but beautiful falls located in this region.

Agastiar Temple:

It is unusual to find a temple for a saint. Agastya is considered as an important saint in the southern part of Tamil Nadu state. Few temples dedicated to him are found in the region. There is a small temple dedicated to Agastya near Agastiar Falls.

Kalyana Teertham Falls:

If you feel happy after visiting Agastiar falls and want to visit much better place, there is an immediate option. Trek for half an hour to reach Kalyana Teertham waterfalls and river for an nonpolluting pure sight of nature.  
Karaiyar Dam:

Karaiyar dam is also called as Upper Dam. It is one of the most popular picnic spots for the locals in this region. 

Chori Muthu Ayyanar Temple:

Chori Muthu Ayyanar temple is a rare temple dedicated to Ayyanar. The temple is full of village deities. It is impossible to find elsewhere so many village deities in a single temple.

Servalar Dam:

Servalar Dam is a small beautiful reservoir located near Chori Muthu Ayyanar temple. 
Bana Teertham Falls:

Bana Teertham waterfalls is one of the most picturesque and pleasant waterfalls in the southern Tamil Nadu. It is located in such as scenic spot that one has to travel on boat in the river surrounded by hills on three sides. 

 If you have one more day, you can visit Manimutharu falls and Manjolai tea estate too.

 Happy travelling.


Location: Ambasamudram - Papanasam - Upper Dam Road, Ambasamudram, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. R Niranjan DasSunday, June 29, 2014

    Nice to know in detail about this place. Lots to see I suppose.

    ReplyDelete

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