Daily Times

Sir: I am writing this important letter with the intention of highlighting the greatness and significant features of the culture and tradition prevailing in my native districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India.

First of all, these districts are all the hubs of big culture and the hard working people. These areas are being enriched by the river Tamiraparani that has long been catering to the needs of the people and places. Having said this, economically we have the various backgrounds in these areas. Going by history, there have been many instances of floods and drought hitting the areas like Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. Despite this and in spite of many ifs and buts like this, the people here have come out of such crises unscathed. A native of these areas, I have personally and literally observed this fact on many occasions.

Furthermore, these people have long been doing the tough jobs like ploughing the land and cultivating the fields. Such activities naturally add to the strength of these people besides strengthening the mental health.

Going back/dating back to the past records, the people of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari have built numerous temples in their areas and have long been visiting temples to worship as part of long-time tradition. Basically, it is only such traditional trend that has given them immense power and strength to stand up to any crisis in life. They never miss out on such traditional and devotional opportunities. Anyone can easily bump into temples [that are dotting everywhere] in the areas like Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Marthandam, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari, all in Tamil Nadu, India. And flocking to these areas with family members on auspicious occasions or for any function is their unique style!

Of course, there are mosques in the areas like Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur. Churches are there in the places like Tuticorin, Palayamkottai, Nagercoil and Marthandam. However, I am in particular briefing on the great temple culture and the hard working people in the districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.

Definitely, the foreigners and people from other Indian metropolitan cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi are welcome to these beautiful areas to have the great experiment with nature and culture.

P SENTHIL SARAVANA DURAI

Mumbai, India

Published in Daily Times, August 6^th 2017.