Tirunelveli is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India . It is the headquarters of Tirunelveli District. Tirunelveli is about 2000 years old and is a town of old tradition . Tirunelveli was the capital of the Pandya Kingdom for some time, next to Madurai .

Tirunelveli is situated on the banks of the river Thamiraparani; it is on the way to Kanniyakumari from Madurai . It is a twin town - Thirunelveli and Palayamkottai. The town is located roughly 400 kilometers away from Chennai.

The temple of Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi is situated in the centre of Tirunelveli. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and worshipped as Nellaiappar. Thiru-Nel-Veli (Thiru - Shri, Nel = Paddy, Veli = Fence). It is believed that food grains collected for worship at the temple were protected from the floods by the fence, hence the name Nel Veli came.

The famous Courtallam Waterfalls are located in Tirunelveli District . Tirunelveli is famous for Tirunelveli halwa .