Sunderapandiapuram: Of Lovely Brahmin Agraharam Houses, Sunflower Fields, Windmills and Mountain Views
This beautiful village in rustic Tamil Nadu is surrounded by the tall mountains of the Western Ghats. For about 5 months in a year, it enjoys a stiff breeze from the South West Monsoon along with consistent drizzle in an otherwise hot region giving it a dream-like status. The rest of the year, it enjoys good rainfall from the North East Monsoon and pleasant weather. This salubrious climate gives it a rich farming scene and the strong winds have given birth to many windmills around this village. I am talking about the village of Sunderapandiapuram that is located in the Tenkasi district of South Tamil Nadu.
Sunderapandiapuram, a popular location for movie shoots, is famous for its lovely Brahmin agraharam houses that surround the Perumal temple, a massive pond to its north, its gorgeous sunflower fields and lush farms. Life moves at a much slower pace here. Therein lies its charm. Historically, it was the Brahmin agraharams that made up Sunderapandiapuram. Wealthy merchants and rich farmers used to live in these Brahmin agraharams. The people used to own lots of land, made lots of money from their fertile farms and it was this abundance of money that allowed them to build massive houses in Sunderapandiapuram. Today, most of them live outside of Sunderapandiapuram either in the major Indian cities or abroad. But, they still try and visit their ancestral village at least once a year and it is for this reason that nearly all the houses are well maintained. Today, Sunderapandiapuram has grown beyond its agraharam streets. There are many more streets as people have moved here from other places in Tamil Nadu. And thus, you get to see a more diverse culture.
The highlight of a visit to Sunderapandiapuram has to be its vibrant sunflower fields. Apparently, these sunflower fields are the craze on Instagram and tourists from the neighbouring state of Kerala flock here in huge numbers to take a selfie amongst these yellow flowers. The locals seem to have learned of this trend and are now charging charging an entry fee per person to enter these sunflower fields. And then there are the supporting elements like tender coconut water, fruits, nongu and padhani, etc. So, all in all, these sunflower fields generate good income for the locals.
And as you drive around the Sunderapandiapuram pond, you will notice the myriad of wind mills in the background along with the mountains in the backdrop and farms in the foreground that grow corn, chillies, vegetables and more. Overall, it is a lush scene. Add to it, the cool breeze blowing in from the west and the powder like drizzle, you have a great destination couple with awesome weather. And it is not far away from the other tourist attractions of this region that include waterfalls, mountains, temples and so much more. Sunderapandiapuram makes up for a fabulous day trip idea in this region and a must visit on your next holiday to Courtallam, Thenmala or Achankovil.
Best season to visit
Sunderapandiapuram is great to visit all year round, but it feels best during the months of June to September as that is when the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu is hot while Sunderapandiapuram enjoys cool and breezy weather. This also happens to be the waterfall season, thus making it a perfect time to visit.
How to reach there:
Sunderapandiapuram is well connected to other cities by a good road network. If you are coming from Tirunelveli on the Tirunelveli-Tenkasi road, turn right at Pavoorchatram towards Melapavoor, Thiruchitrambalam and Sunderapandiapuram. If you are traveling from the Thenmala direction of Kerala, head towards Shenkottai and then turn left towards Elathur, Ayikudy and Sunderapandiapuram.
The nearest large bus station is Tenkasi bus stand (about 10 kms away) that is well connected with other parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The nearest large railway station is Tenkasi (10 kms away) and Shenkottai (20 kms away). Regular passenger trains connect these two towns with Tirunelveli and Kollam. Long distance trains also connect these towns with the cities of Chennai and Madurai.
The nearest airports are Tuticorin airport (about 95 kms away) and Thiruvananthapuram international airport (about 129 kms away).
Where to stay:
If agraharam homes are your thing, you can try the guest houses and AirBnBs at Sunderapandiapuram and/or Shencottai (about 20 kms away).
If you wish to stay amidst pristine nature, try the resorts and hotels in and around the waterfall town of Courtallam, about 15 kms away.
For good quality hotels, head to Tenkasi, about 10 kms away.
For luxurious accommodation, head to Tirunelveli, about 50 kms away or Thiruvananthapuram, about 120 kms away.
Where to eat:
There are a few places in Sunderapandiapuram where you can find basic snacks and a cup of tea and coffee, but for something more elaborate, you will have to head to the restaurants in Tenkasi.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Kutralam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu
2) Puliyarai view point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway
3) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats
4) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India
5) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi
6) Mekkarai: The lush village where paddy fields, fruit orchards and mountains merge into one
7) Shenkottai to Achankovil forest route: The lesser known scenic jungle route
8) Manalar Falls: The gorgeous forest waterfall perfect for a family getaway
9) Kumbhavurutty Falls: Pristine jungle waterfall in the middle of dense forest
10) Thenmala forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway
11) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways
12) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala
13) Lesser known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers
14) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats
15) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky
16) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view
17) Rosemala: Spectacular view point of the Thenmala reservoir
18) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
19) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve
20) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river
21) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu
22) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon
23) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
24) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded
25) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south
26) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai tiger reserve
27) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana
28) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India
29) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple at Papanasam: Where you can wash all your sins away
30) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season
31) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tiruvelveli
32) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder
33) Pattamadai Pai: GI Tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village
34) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness
35) 10th Century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu
36) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea Shore magic
37) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route
38) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi
39) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village
40) The Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village
41) The exotic tropical fruit shops of Puliyarai
42) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu
43) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature
