Srivilliputhur

Srivilliputhur is a temple town, from Madurai,  from Sivakasi near the Western Ghats in India.

Understand
Srivilliputtur is one of the old historical town that was ruled by Pandya kings initially. This town has a 1000 year old temple, 200 year old Hindu School, 135 year old Pennington Public Library that are standing as remarkable historical evidence for culturally importance of this place. Thiruppavai, one of the important constituent of devotional Tamil literature period was from this temple town. The remarkable landmark of Srivilliputhur is 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Lord of Srivilliputhur, known as Vatapatrasayee, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Festivals
Important Festivals at "Srivilliputhur" are
 * Andal Thirukalyanam (Divine Marriage)- Festival during March and April.
 * Car Festival (Rath Uthsav) in the month of August.
 * Periya Mariamman Temple Pookuzhi

By plane
The nearest domestic airport is Madurai Airport (~70 km) and about one and a half hours away.

By train
The Pothigai Express train from Chennai Egmore to Shenkottai reaches Srivilliputhur daily at 6.13 AM. From April to June, special trains are available from Virdhunagar Junction. A daily passenger train service is also available from Madurai and Shenkottai. The station is a gateway to Andal Temple. Virudhunagar is used to reach Coimbatore and Bangalore by the Nagercoil-Coimbatore Express and Tutucorin-Mysore Express respectively.

By bus
Buses arrive from Periyar (involving a transfer at Thirumangalam) and Mattuthavani (direct) bus stands of Madurai. Buses from both places pass through Srivilliputhur en route to other cities. Buses from Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar starting from the main bus stand depart every half hour. Buses from Tamil Nadu to Srivilliputhur are frequent.

Buses from Chennai to Tenkasi, Shenkottai travel via Srivilliputhur only.

NH208: Thirumangalam-Srivilliputhur-Rajapalayam-Tenkasi-Kollam

SH42 Srivilliputhur-Sivakasi-Virudhunagar-Aruppukottai-Tiruchuli-Narikudi-Parthibanur

Get around

 * Auto Rickshaw - Auto stand located near Roman Catholic Church, outside Srivilliputtur Bus Stand
 * Horse Cart - Located behind Srivilliputtur Bus Stand
 * Mini-bus - Green/yellow-red painted minibuses connecting nearby villages and Srivilliputtur

Do

 * Shopping in small shops inside Andal Temple Complex
 * Bicycling and Trekking in Western Ghats - Shenbaga Thoppu
 * Visit Sriraam Palkova Factory to see how Palkova is made
 * Visit Pennington Library, one of the oldest library in the town.

Buy

 * Palkova - Venkateshwara sweets, Inside Andal temple compound. This place will always be crowded, and you may have to wait a bit to buy it. Puliyamaruthukadai or Singh Palkova Stall near Srivilliputtur Bus Stand also sells tasty Palkova.

Eat

 * Food Park Restaurant - Veg & Non Vegetarian food, at a very low price. Door Delivery. Located on the State Highway between Srivilliputtur and Krishnankoil, Pilayarnatham Bus stop.

Drink

 * Palmyrah Juice, sold by Tamil Nadu Government Co-Operative Society, located near Srivilliputtur Bus Stand Entrance
 * Rose milk, flavored sweetened milk drink from Ananda Bakery
 * Filter coffee and tea from

Sleep
The best time to visit this town is during the Margazhi Thirunal (December–January) and the Adi Thirunal (July–August) which are very popular and provide a rare experience of the traditional temple festivals, some of them unique to this town.

There are many hotels and lodges available to support the visitors. However, some of the houses at the street where the Andal temple is situated have been converted to convenient boarding places.



Go next

 * Courtallam
 * Pilavakkal Dam
 * Sathuragiri Hills