Major city · India
Tenkasiதென்காசி
Half a day to one night: visit the Kasi Viswanathar temple and Courtallam waterfalls, then move on.
Tenkasi is a small temple town in southern Tamil Nadu, known as the 'Kashi of the South'. Its main draw is the 13th-century Kasi Viswanathar temple and the nearby Courtallam waterfalls. Most travellers use it as a half-day stop between Tirunelveli and Kerala.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot), Jul–Sep (heavy rain at waterfalls)
- Airport
- TRV
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tenkasi100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tenkasi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyTenkasi is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 101 fire and ambulance · 112 All emergencies (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (About 2.5 h by road; buses and taxis available).
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and local buses cover the town and Courtallam.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideBus Tenkasi–Courtallam₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (Kasi Viswanathar)Free (check)
- Budget bedDorm bed in a lodge, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a lodge, a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedDouble room in a lodge, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (About 2.5 h by road; buses and taxis available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tenkasi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and local buses cover the town and Courtallam. Walking is fine within the temple area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Bus or auto from Tenkasi, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Bus or auto from Tenkasi, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Main waterfalls and several smaller falls; best after the monsoon (Oct–Jan).
Sankarankoil
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus from Tenkasi, about 30 km (19 mi)Bus from Tenkasi, about 19 mi (30 km)
Temple town with a large tank and a 12th-century shrine.
Door to door: About 30 min
Bus from Tenkasi, about 20 km (12 mi)Bus from Tenkasi, about 12 mi (20 km)
Small town with a few temples; mostly a transit stop.
Surandai
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus from Tenkasi, about 25 km (16 mi)Bus from Tenkasi, about 16 mi (25 km)
Known for its church and market; limited sights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the bus stand
Budget lodges and a few mid-range hotels; walkable to the temple.
Courtallam area
Resorts and guesthouses near the waterfalls; quieter but farther from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a lodge1 × 1 night × ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Auto from Tenkasi to Courtallam, one way1 × ₹200 | ₹200 |
| Bus Tenkasi–Tirunelveli, one way2 × ₹100 | ₹200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹940 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,170 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,340≈ US$120 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Parotta and curry meal | ₹60–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Auto-rickshaw within town (up to 3 km) | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus Tenkasi–Courtallam | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Temple entry (Kasi Viswanathar) | Free (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Courtallam waterfalls can be dangerous after heavy rain: check local conditions before swimming.
- Temple dress code: remove footwear, cover shoulders and knees.
- Buses to Kerala fill up quickly; book ahead or arrive early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 101
- All emergencies
- 112
Pocket card
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Tenkasiதென்காசி
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு செல்லவும்To this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire and ambulance101
- All emergencies112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Chennai; most other countries have embassies in New Delhi or consulates in Chennai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tenkasi → Courtallam, auto: about ₹200 (≈ US$3), 20 min (check)
- Tenkasi → Tirunelveli, bus: about ₹100 (≈ US$2), 1.5 h (check)
- Tenkasi → Madurai, bus: about ₹200 (≈ US$3), 3 h (check)
Say or show
- வணக்கம் — Hello (vanakkam)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvalavu)
- பஸ் நிலையம் எங்கே? — Where is the bus stand? (bus nilaiyam engé)
- எனக்கு ஒரு அறை வேண்டும் — I need a room (enakku oru arai vendum)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tenkasi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (hot), Jul–Sep (heavy rain at waterfalls) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Kasi Viswanathar temple and Courtallam with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages for Border Parotta and other local eateries with last orders.
- Transport pages for Tenkasi Junction and bus stand with schedules and fares.
Sources
Ask about Tenkasi
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