Kutrallam, the " Spa of the south" is situated at an elevation of about 170 m high, on the western Ghats in Thirunelveli district. This is not only a tourist spot but also a health resort too. The waterfall has medicinal properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. During the season between June to September every year thousands of tourists visit this place.
It is located 60 kms from Thirunelveli. The famous Shiva temple is located at the bottom of Western Ghats and also very near to the origin of the River Tambraparani. Every year The Chitrai Vishu festival is celebrated in the month of April and another festival Adi Ammavasai is celebrated in the month of July and lakhs of people congregate there. It also serves as a picnic spot.
The shore temple here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and the only one of them to be built on an unelevated stretch of land. Thiruchendur is believed to be the place where Subramanya offered prayers for his victory. to his father Lord Shiva after slaying the demon Surapadma. The Skandasashti festival is celebrated at this temple in November each year. There are a couple of other temples at Alwarthirunagar and Srivaikuntam close to Thiruchendur.
Also built on the shore, the 400-year old Holy Cross Church at Manappad has some fragments of the True Cross from Jerusalem and is one of the churches associated with St. Francis Xavier.Francis Xavier as he was the called performed many miracles that positively impacted the lives of the local community to such an extent that the people in and around Manapad started venerating Xavier as a saint long before he was canonized by the Church.
Thuthukudi is the district headquarters of the district of the same name. One of the major ports in the country, Thuthukudi was at one time known for its pearls and was one of the most prosperous cities on the coast. It is a major pearl fishing center, but now Hyderabad is taking over as the centre of the artificial pearl industry in the south. Thuthukudi now better known for its fertilizer and heavy water plants, as well as its thermal power station. It is also a major salt production centre.
Though this sanctuary is a Project Tiger Reserve, one is likely to sight other animals like the leopard, sambhar, sloth bear and the chital apart from a wide variety of Indian primates including the bonnet macaque, common langur, Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque. The best time to visit Mundanthurai is between October and January. Accommodation is available at the rest house on prior booking.