Temples in Srivilliputhur
- 01
Kattalagar Koil
A hill temple to Vishnu in the Western Ghats foothills about 17 km from Srivilliputhur, known for a year-round spring and a long approach on foot.
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours depending on how far you walk
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Cooler months, early morning
- Tickets
- Entry, timings and vehicle access to the final stretch are not published; confirm locally before setting out. Dress modestly and remove footwear at the temple.
- 02
Madavar Vilagam Vaidyanathar Temple
A 16th-century Shiva temple about a kilometre south of the town, said to be the largest Shiva temple in the district. It has Nayak-period paintings, a five-tier gateway and a healing tank.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Reported hours are roughly 6 am to 12 noon and 4 to 7 pm, with all-day opening on festival days; confirm locally. Dress modestly and follow temple rules on photography.
- 03
Srivilliputhur Andal Temple
The town's great Vishnu temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams, with a 192-foot gateway tower that is the emblem of the Tamil Nadu government. It honours the poet-saint Andal and her foster father Periyalvar.
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; Fridays and Saturdays are traditionally favoured but crowded
- Tickets
- The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Dress modestly, remove footwear and follow temple rules on photography; confirm daily timings locally.
Experiences in Srivilliputhur
- 04
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
A roughly 485 sq km Western Ghats sanctuary above Srivilliputhur, set up to protect the grizzled giant squirrel and now part of a tiger reserve. Visits are on foot and need advance arrangements.
- Time needed
- Half a day at the forest edge; a full day or overnight for a guided trek
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Cooler months, roughly November to February; avoid peak summer when water is scarce
- Tickets
- Entry permissions, fees and guide charges are not published. The Wildlife Warden's office in Srivilliputhur handles access and can arrange guides; the sanctuary is now part of the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, so confirm current rules before you go.
Day trips in Srivilliputhur
- 05
Sathuragiri Hills and Sundara Mahalingam Temple
A Western Ghats pilgrimage hill at about 995 m, home to the Sundara Mahalingam Shiva temple. It involves a long trek from the Thaniparai side with strict visiting hours.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Cooler months; check the opening days and hours first
- Tickets
- Published guidance says the hill is open on all days with base entry from 6 am to 10 am, and extended hours on new-moon, full-moon and Pradosham days (6 am to 4 pm). Another source says it opens only a few days a month, so confirm current rules locally.
Read the Sathuragiri Hills and Sundara Mahalingam Temple guide →
