Tourism in Sivakasi

Notable for the production of safety matches, fire crackers and offset printing, Sivakasi is a picturesque town and an important Hindu pilgrimage centre situated in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. Though the number of tourist attractions in Sivakasi may sound lesser to people, the town still extends decent choices for holidaymakers which include religious sites like temples, churches and mosques and picnic spots like waterfalls and so on. Tourists looking for a fun filled and affordable vacation must visit Sivakasi as the place is an ideal stop for merriment and entertainment.

Some of the important tourist attractions of Sivakasi include Sri Badrakaliamman Temple, Sembaga Kutty Vinayakar Temple, Periya Pallivasal, Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Perumal Thirukovil, Sri Mariamman Kovil, Chinna Pallivasal, CSI Regland Memorial Church, Sivakasi Ayyappan Temple, Jakkammal Kovil and so on.

Let's explore more about the tourist attractions of Sivakasi

Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple

Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple fondly called as the Sivan Temple by the local population is one of the oldest temples of this region. It is believed that the main deity of this temple is actually brought from the holy city of Kashi by the famous Pandyan king named Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian (ruler of southern Madurai domain).

Some of the following events made the king realize that Lord Shiva wishes to be enshrined here and thus constructed a massive religious site of Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple. The temple was renovated several times by the later kings, and today Kasi Viswanatha Temple is considered as one of the far-famed temples of Virudhunagar district.

The main deity of this ancient temple is Kasi Viswanatha Swamy (Shiva Lingam), and the goddess worshipped here is referred as Sri Visalatchi Ambal. The temple celebrates a lot of important Tamil festivals that attract hundreds of people from all over the district. Some of the most notable festivals include Pournami poojai celebrated on every full phase of the moon (full moon day), 108 Changabishegam performed and celebrated on every last Monday of Tamil months, Thanga kavasam or kaapu performed on pradosham days, sivaratri, first day of every Tamil months and on other important Tamil festivals.

Quick Facts:

Most Recent Kumbabhishekam Performed: 03/06/1996
Main Deity: Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy in the form of Shiva Lingam
Goddess: Sri Visalatchi Ambal
Darshan Schedule: Six period poojas done every day (Aaru kala poojai)
Important Festivals: Pournami poojai, Pradosham, Karthikai thiruvizha, Aadi karthigai and Thai karthigai, 108 Changabishegam,Thanga kavasam, Sivaratri poojai and so on

Temple Address:
Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thiru Kovil/Sivan Kovil
South Car Road, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Pincode - 626123

Temple Timings: 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM
Approximate Time Taken for the Visit: 2 to 3 hours

Nearest Bus Stand: Sivakasi Main Bus Stand (N.R.K Rajarathinam Municipality Bus Stand)
Nearest Railway Station: Sivakasi Railway Station/SVKS
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD) - 75.4 km

Sri Pathirakali Amman Temple

Sri Pathirakali Amman Temple, also spelled as Badrakaliamman Temple, is esteemed as the landmark of the cracker town of Sivakasi. Apart from the fire cracker and safety matches industries, the term Sivakasi reminds of Sri Pathirakali Amman Temple to Tamil people as the temple is famous for its magnificent rajagopuram (the majestic temple tower).

It is believed that of all the amman temples of Tamil Nadu, the tower of Sri Pathirakali Amman Temple, Sivakasi is the tallest gopuram. The temple is dedicated to Pathirakali Amman, which is considered as one of the fierce kinds of the Goddess Devi.

The lower part of the majestic temple tower is approximately 30 feet tall and above seven levels is about 80 feet tall that exhibits hundreds of sculptures in it. A dedicated commission addressed as the Devasthanam has been instituted to oversee everyday matters, day-to-day poojas and temple festivals. Furthermore, the temple houses an exquisitely designed garden referred as nandhavanam in Tamil, maintained by the temple devasthanam committee excites the visitors for its sheer beauty.

Quick Facts:

Most Recent Kumbabhishekam Performed: 07/07/1995
Main Deity: Sri Pathirakali Amman
Important Festivals: Tuesday and Friday poojas, Panguni pongal, Chithirai pongal and Pournami poojas

Information on Majestic Temple Tower (Raja Gopuram):
Length of the Majestic Temple Tower (Raja Gopuram): 66 feet
Breadth of the Majestic Temple Tower (Raja Gopuram): 44 feet
Height of the Majestic Temple Tower (Raja Gopuram): 110 feet

Temple Address:
State Highway 187, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Pincode - 626005

Approximate Time Taken for the Visit: 1 to 2 hours

Nearest Bus Stand: Sivakasi Main Bus Stand (N.R.K Rajarathinam Municipality Bus Stand)
Nearest Railway Station: Sivakasi Railway Station/SVKS - 1.2 km
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD) - 75.4 km

Sri Mariamman Temple

Yet another famous religious site of the cracker town of Sivakasi, Sri Mariamman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman (main South Indian mother goddess, main deity in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu).

The temple celebrates a lot of festivals that attract devotees from all over the district. Most of the festivals usually happen during the Tamil month of Aadi, and Aadi Thiruvizha is the most illustrious festival celebrated on the name of the Goddess.

Additionally, many festivals are taken to Mariamman with the prayers of bringing rainfalls and healing diseases like chicken pox, Cholera and Small pox.

Quick Facts:

Most Recent Kumbabhishekam Performed for this Temple: 21/01/1983
Most Recent Kumbabhishekam Performed for the Gopuram: 06/02/1984
Main Deity: Sri Mariamman
Important Festivals: Aadi thiruvizha, Panguni pongal, Chithirai pongal, Friday poojas and Pournami poojas

Approximate Time Taken for the Visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Nearest Bus Stand: Sivakasi Main Bus Stand (N.R.K Rajarathinam Municipality Bus Stand)
Nearest Railway Station: Sivakasi Railway Station/SVKS - 1.2 km
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD) - 75.4 km

Our Lady of Lord's Church

The population of the cracker town of Sivakasi comprises of Hindus, Muslims and Christians who live together in peace and harmony. The considerable share of Christian population of Sivakasi normally falls under the faiths of Catholics and Protestants. The town houses magnificent churches for people who belong to different faiths of Christian religion. Our Lady of Lord's church in Sivakasi is regarded as one of the oldest churches of the region.

Constructed by Father Balaiya, Our Lady of Lord's church in Sivakasi portrays the beauty of Portuguese style of architecture. The church attracts thousands of devotees from all over the state throughout the year. The prayer hall of the church was constructed in a singular manner that it can accommodate 800 people at a time. Furthermore, almost eleven churches located around the town of Sivakasi are affiliated with Our Lady of Lord's Church. The Church primarily focuses on progressing humanity through education, besides functioning for the obliteration of Child Labor.

Some of the other important places of interest in Sivakasi include:

CSI Regland memorial church
Hanapi Pallivasal
Murugan Temple
Perumal Kovil
Kadai Kovil
Kamatchiamman Kovil
Iyyappan Kovil
Jakkammal Kovil
Kaichalkara Amman Kovil
Hanapi Mathap Cepaskori Palli Vasal
Rockland Church

Accommodation Facilities in Sivakasi

Being an industrial town that receives business travelers from all over the country and a decent tourist destination, the town of Sivakasi is well equipped with a lot of good lodging services who provide quality accommodation options to the visitors. Find below some of the popular hotels in Sivakasi along with their location and contact details.

List of Popular Hotels in Sivakasi and Accommodations in Sivakasi

Pandian Hotel
Address: No 16 35, Near Bus Stand, Sattur Road, Sivakasi Ho, Sivakasi - 626123
Phone Number: +(91)-9443116987, +(91)-4562-274407, 274783, 272783

Boss Classic Inn
Address: No. 359 Virudhunagar Main Road, Sivakasi - 626189
Phone Number: +(91)-4562-233266, 232600

Hotel Shrinivas
Address: 58c, Near Bus Stand, Gandhi Road, Sivakasi Ho, Sivakasi - 626123
Phone Number: +(91)-4562-277522, 277533

Nadar Lodge
Address: 30/3, Virudhunagar Road, Sivakasi Ho, Sivakasi - 626123
Phone Number: +(91)-4562-221176

Arun Lodge
Address: 19D, Ch.Shanmugam Road, Sivakasi Ho, Sivakasi - 626123
Phone Number: +(91)-4562-224305

Sapna Lodge
Address: No 72, Near Bhadrakali Amman Temple, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Sivakasi Ho,
Sivakasi - 626123
Phone Number: +(91)-9443320705, +(91)-4562-220462, 220705

Inbam Tower
Address: No. 9/8-6, Post Office Road, Near Bus Stand, Thirupathur, Sivakasi - 630211
Phone Number: +(91)-4560-267316