Tourist Places In And Around Thoothukudi
For the lovers of the sea, Thoothukudi is the ideal tourist destination. The port of the city is one of the most important and attractive tourist sites. The city is also popular for its parks, the most popular out of them are the Harbour Park, Rajaji Park, and Roche Park. The city is also famous for the Tiruchendur temple which has been dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The city is also famous for the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Other attractions are Manapad Kalugumalai, Ottapidaram Ettayapuram, Korkai Athichanallur, Vanchi Maniyachi and Panchalankurichi Nava Thiruppathi. The famous rock-cut Jain Temple Kalugumalai, Korkai Tank and Vettrivelamman Temple are also popular tourist attractions. The latter two are also famous picnic spots. There is also the famous historical site, the Kattabomman Memorial Fort which is dedicated to the freedom fighter Veerapandiyan Kattabomman who had participated in the freedom struggle against the British.
Archaeological park
Planetorium
Traffic Park
Snows Basilica
Pallivasal
A Journey Into The History
Thoothukudi was known as ‘Thiru Mandir Nagar’ in the past. Legends say that the Hanuman had camped in Thoothukudi on his way to Lanka while he was searching for Sita. The name of the city is also said to have derived from the word Thoothan which means ‘messenger’. It is also believed that the name could have come from the two words “Thoorthu” which means ‘land reclaimed from the sea’ and “Kudi” which means ‘settlement’. The city has been famous as a port town since history, during the Pandyan rule and also it as a famous seaport. In 1548, the town was taken over by the Portuguese from the Pandayan. Later in 1658, the town was taken over by the Dutch and by the British in 1825. In 1866 it was established as a Municipality and Roche Victoria was appointed as the chairman. Later in 2008, it was established as a Corporation.
