Things To Do in Nagercoil, India

Nagercoil Things to Do

Nagercoil is a town at the southern tip of India that enjoys a pleasant climate and gentle winds.

Religious Buildings

The Nagaraja Temple, from which Nagercoil derives its name, is a famous ancient Jain temple. It was created as a temple to the serpent king, Naga Raja. Although originally a Jain temple, it is now an important temple for the local Hindus. It is also a popular tourist attraction. It attracts devotees from all part of the state, who come for both religious and personal reasons. Idols of both Lord Shiva and Vishnu can be found here. The architecture is  quite interesting, since the temple shows the influence of both Chinese and Jain designers.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church is an ancient church that is believed to have been established by St. Thomas. It is a small but an interesting place that incorporates in its design elements from South Indian temple architecture. The newer additions to the old existing structure have elements of Kerala decor and wood-work. This church is currently maintained by the Orthodox Syrian Church.

Other Buildings To Visit

There are more than religious buildings to visit while in Nagercoil. Another place to visit is the Palace of the Travancore Kings. It was built in the 17th century and modified throughout the 18th century. You can walk through the building, starting at the courtyard, and finish near the small temple that sits inside the palace. The architects of the palace used a lot of hard wood for the walls and flooring. The flooring itself remains impressive and retains its shine even after all these centuries. Both the flooring and architecture have been laid out in such a way that the palace remains cool in the otherwise hot and humid climate. Inside the palace, there is a hall containing various paintings of the Travancore kings and their many deeds. Conveniently, there are guides stationed in various parts of the palace who can give further explanations about the history of these kings and the building itself.

Although not a palace or temple, there is a notable clock tower in Nagercoil that is situated in the heart of the town. It is more than a hundred years old. The clock in the tower was presented to the Maharajah of Travancore by the European missionary, Reverend Duthie, during his visit in the latter part of the 19th century.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Nagercoil.