Pandiya Nadu Divya Desam Tour: All 18 Pandya Nadu Temples with Nava Tirupati in 5 Days

Today you start early, by half past six, and drive about 27 km, around 45 minutes, to Alagar Koil. This is Thirumaliruncholai, the temple of Kallazhagar, at the foot of the Alagar hills, and the early morning here is quiet, before the crowds of the day arrive. Above the temple, a natural spring called Noopura Gangai rises on the hill, and pilgrims bathe there. Every year, in the Chithirai festival, Kallazhagar travels to Madurai and enters the Vaigai river on a golden horse, wearing a garland sent by Andal from Srivilliputhur.

From Alagar Koil you drive about 50 km, around an hour, to Thirukoshtiyur and the temple of Sowmya Narayana. Tradition says Ramanuja came here again and again to learn the sacred mantra from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, and after learning it, climbed the temple tower and shared it with everyone, so that all people could be saved.

Thirumeyyam is about 35 km on, around 35 minutes. Try to reach before 11, because its morning doors close early. The rock-cut Vishnu shrine of Sathyagiri Nathar, the rock-cut Shiva shrine beside it, and the fort on the hill are all protected monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort was built in 1687 by Sethupathi Vijaya Raghunatha Thevar of Ramanathapuram. If you are not tired, walk up to the fort for the view before you leave.

Then you drive about 112 km, around one hour and forty minutes, to Ramanathapuram. The afternoon is free. For dinner, Bheemas Nalabagam in Bharathi Nagar is a well reviewed vegetarian restaurant; please ask the staff to confirm it is fully vegetarian if this matters to you.

What to buy today: Ramnad mundu chilli, the red chilli of this district, officially registered as a genuine local product in 2023.

Special Tips for This Day: This is a long day on the road, about 220 km, so carry water and snacks. At Thirumeyyam the steps to the fort are uneven; elders can stay at the temple and rest. If you wish to add Rameswaram, it is close to Ramanathapuram, but it is not a Divya Desam and needs an extra day.

Today you begin at Thiruppullani, only about 10 km from Ramanathapuram. Tradition says Rama lay on darbha grass here while he prayed to the Ocean King for a way to Lanka, so the place is also called Darbhasayanam. A shrine inside shows Rama in a reclining form. Leave Ramanathapuram by half past six.

Then you have the longest drive of the tour, about 159 km and a little over three hours, west to Srivilliputhur. Try to reach before noon, because the Andal shrine closes for the afternoon. Srivilliputhur is the birthplace of two Azhwars, Periyazhwar and Andal. The older shrine is that of Vatapatrasayee, the Lord reclining with Sridevi and Bhudevi on the upper level. Then walk to Andal's shrine. This is where she wore the Lord's garlands, and where her garland still leaves every year for Tirumala.

Have lunch and rest. In the evening drive about 22 km, around 35 minutes, to Thiruthangal near Sivakasi. The temple of Ninra Narayana Perumal stands on a small granite hill with rock-cut cave shrines. Climb the steps slowly, then return to Srivilliputhur for the night.

What to buy today: Srivilliputhur palkova, the milk sweet officially registered as a genuine local food in 2019. The Srivilliputhur Milk Producers Co-operative Society is one of the two societies that hold the registration, so buying from its counter is the safest way to get the real thing.

Special Tips for This Day: Leave Thiruppullani on time, or you may reach Srivilliputhur after the Andal shrine closes. In Margazhi (mid December to mid January), Srivilliputhur fills with devotees for the Thiruppavai, so book your room early. Palkova keeps only a few days, so buy it on the last day you pass through.

Today you start very early. Leave Srivilliputhur by quarter to six for the drive of about 151 km, around two and a half hours, to Nanguneri. The temple here is Vanamamalai, also called Thiruccheeravaramangai, and Nammazhwar sang of it in his Thiruvaimozhi. Devotees take a little of the oil from the Lord's daily oil bath as a blessing.

Thirukurungudi is about 15 km away, around 26 minutes. Four Azhwars sang of Nambi here. Tradition says Thirumangai Azhwar sang his last hymns and attained moksha in this place, and that the Lord took initiation from Ramanuja, which is why he is called Vaishnava Nambi. If you wish to visit the hill shrine of Thirumalai Nambi, about 8 km away in the forest of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, tell us in advance. It lies inside the reserve, and access depends on the day's forest rules.

Then drive about 44 km, roughly an hour, to Tirunelveli for lunch and rest. Nellai Saravana Bhava is a local vegetarian chain with branches at Tirunelveli Junction and in Palayamkottai.

In the evening you begin the Nava Tirupati. Drive about 39 km to Thirukolur first, the Mars temple, where the Lord Vaithamanidhi reclines. This is the birthplace of Madhurakavi Azhwar. Then Alwarthirunagari, only about 4 km away, the Jupiter temple, where Nammazhwar was born. Then Natham, the Moon temple, where the Lord Vijayasana sits like a victorious king, and Srivaikuntam, the Sun temple, where the Lord Kallapiran stands. Return about 32 km to Tirunelveli for the night.

What to buy today: Tirunelveli halwa. Iruttu Kadai near the Nellaiappar temple is the most famous name. It opens only in the evening, from about 5 pm, and the day's halwa can sell out, so if you return in time, go straight there.

Special Tips for This Day: This is the busiest day of the tour, so rest well the night before. Thirukolur may close a little earlier in the evening than the others, which is why it comes first. Many shops near the Nellaiappar temple use names like Iruttu Kadai, so look for the old shop by the temple.

Today you complete the Nava Tirupati. Leave Tirunelveli around eight with your bags packed. Thirupuliyangudi, the Mercury temple, is about 33 km away, and its doors are usually open by about nine. Here the Lord Kaisina Vendhan reclines on the serpent Adisesha.

Then drive about 7 km to Tholaivillimangalam, the twin shrines of Irattai Tirupati. Devapiran is the Rahu temple and Aravindalochanar, the lotus-eyed Lord, is the Ketu temple. Together they make one Divya Desam. Thenthiruperai, the Venus temple, is about 9 km on, where the Lord Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar wears fish-shaped earrings. Your last stop is Perungulam, about 11 km on, the Saturn temple of Mayakoothan. Take a quiet moment here. Your Pandya Nadu count is complete.

From Perungulam it is about 22 km, around half an hour, to Thoothukudi airport. Book a flight that leaves after about one in the afternoon.

What to buy today: Kovilpatti kadalai mittai, the peanut and jaggery sweet of Thoothukudi district, officially registered as a genuine local food in 2020.

Special Tips for This Day: The Nava Tirupati shrines close around noon, so do not linger at breakfast. Thoothukudi airport has mainly domestic flights; if you fly abroad, we can plan the drive back to Madurai airport instead. Keep your ID and boarding pass ready before you leave the hotel.