Tuticorin is a major port city in the state of Tamil Nadu and was previously known as Thoothukudi. It is also called as the Pearl City since pearl fishing is carried out here on a major scale. Since it a port town it has a very low altitude of about 4 meters above mean sea level.
There are various culturally important places in Tuticorin that have now become major tourist destinations. Some of them are Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, (famous for its Lord Subramanya temple on the beach), Panchalankurichi (memorial fort of the warrior Kattabomman) and the Ettaiyapuram Palace. The Hare islands are a nearby port and a famous holiday spot for most of the local tourists.
There are a lot of religious shrines of Hindus and Christians deities, which are major pilgrimage destinations for a lot of locals. The Shiva temple in the heart of the city and the Snow Church, one of the few cathedrals dedicated to the Virgin Mary are the most famous.
Tuticorin is well connected by road and rail to most major cities in the country. The Tuticorin Airport, which is about 14 kms from the main city, is the primary airport while Madurai Airport is the International airport nearest to the city.
