AMBASAMUDRAM -JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED BY YOU 12

AMBASAMUDRAM , JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED BY YOU

Ambasamudram  , a small taluk headquarters town in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu has many places of tourist attractions which cater to the tastes of people in all age groups . Surprisingly all these places of interest are located within a radius of 40 kms from this small town .

The  unique and standout feature of this Paddy growing area is the River Tamiraibarani around which most ,if not all of these places are located . This river originates in the Western Ghats and winds its way in to the sea in the neighboring District of Tuticorin . Nava Thirupathi and Nava Kailayam Temples are a feature on the banks of this great river which recently
celebrated its Mahapushkarani .
Visit
WWW://municipality.tn.gov.in/ambasamudram

TIRUPADAIMARUTHUR : This Siva Temple is situated some 15 kms from Ambasamudram and is the abode of Lord Naramboonathar and his consort Gomathyambal . The finely chiseled feature of the main deity is RUDRAKSHARA MENI ( MEANING SKIN HAVING A FEEL OF THE RUDRAKSHA SEED )
Visit
WWW://pradosham.com/home.php
WWW;//pradosham.com/thirupadaimaruthur.php

Brahmadesam : 10 kms from the town , this is also a Siva Temple and the main Deities here are Lord Kailasanathar and Goddess Brahannayaki . There are many breathtaking artwork pieces here .
The roof at the entrance has Chozha , Pandya and Cheran architecture. There is a bell carved out of a single rock with rings and gong . There is a huge statue of Lord Pichadanathar weighing a few tons standing on his toes with nothing else for support anywhere . The 9 gopurams or towers of the various deities can be seen from a particular spot on the outer periphery of the temple .
Visit
WWW://shaivam.org/sidhanta/sptnbrammadesam and
Wikipedia.org/wiki/brahmadesam

PAPANASAM : This Siva Temple is again on the banks of the river Tamiraibarani and is situated some 12 kms from Ambasamudram. This temple is famous for its Vishu Festival of 8 days in the Tamil month of Chitrai . Legend has it that a prayer at the foot of the lord after a dip in the river cleanses one of all the sins committed and a pardon is granted .
Visit
Wikipedia.org/wiki/ambasamudram

ATHAZHANALLUR : This again on the banks of the river is an abode of Lord Balaji or Adhivarahamoorthy where Gajendra attained Moksha from the clutches of the crocodile .

As it may sound a bit boring , i am just mentioning a few other temples by name
SIVASAILANATHAR AT AZHWARKURICHY , CHINNA SANKARANKOVIL , ERUTHIAAZHKONDAAR TEMPLE both at Ambasamudram proper.

Apart from the temples mentioned above , there are many places of interest for the adventurous and fun loving in and around Ambasamudram.

Agasthiar Falls : It is on the foothills of the Western Ghats and unlike the the more famous Courtallam spa of the south which is seasonal from mid June to mid September of each year  , the one at Agasthiar Falls is there for the taking 365 days of the year . A bath in the falls has medicinal values as well . 10 more kms up the hill on the Ghat Road and one is in the middle of the Kalakkad / Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary with all its flora and fauna . On lucky days some wild life can also be spotted , even otherwise the Forest Authorities arrange night Safaris if prior information is given to them . The top of the drive takes one to a place called the Karayar Dam . This Dam meets the needs of the irrigation and agricultural demands of both Tirunelveli and Tuticorin Districts not to forget its drinking water requirements . It is also the source for the Papanasam Hydro Electric Project .
One other place of interest to the water lovers is the Manimuthar Falls , this place is roughly 15 kms from Ambasamudram and the Ghat Road leads you to it . This place is ideal for a bath and a swim in the 80 feet deep pond on the path of the waterfalls .
Now comes the most exciting part of all . Further up the 20 kms ghat road is the place called Manjolai . This place is famous for its Tea Estates . The cool clime and the lush green carpet of the Tea Estates is eye soothing . The temperature is comparable with the ones at Ooty or Kodaikanal . One is fortunate that modernisation has not yet spoilt the place into a commercial tourist spot . Khodaiyaru , Naalumukku and Kaakachi are the places to visit for all their scenic beauty.
As can be seen Ambasamudram has places of various tourist attractions and can satisfy a wide variety of tastes both for the young and the old .
The nearest Railway Junction is at Tirunelveli some 45 kms away . The nearest Airport is Vagaikulam Airport , halfway between Tirunelveli and Tuticorin . The Airport is just 90 mts drive from Ambasamudram . Apart from this Airports at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram are some 150 kms away .
Ambasamudram has fairly good Hotels which provide Boarding and Lodging at affordable costs. Cabs are also available on round trip or per day packages .

COME TO AMBASAMUDRAM , SHE IS JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED BY YOU

PS : I have been to a number of Tourist Destinations both in India and Abroad  , no other single place offers such a wide range of attractions as this place . If such a place was available in the West , they would have made it the first place of attraction for the tourists and developed the area for the benifit of both the locals and the tourists .