Virudhunagar is now a district of the Indian state Tamil Nadu. It also headquarters of the district. It was earlier a part of Ramanathapuram district. This was also known as the grocery town. Virudhunagar was under the Pandyas and later passed into the Paligars known as `Palayakararkal` in Tamil. They showed rigid opposition to the colonial supremacy and finally were restrained by the British.

There are various interesting places around Virudhunagar, which can be visited by the tourists. Some of these places are given here:

Aruppukkottai
This place is situated 20 kms from Virudhunagar. It is an important weaving centre and grocery trade centre.

Thiruchuzhi
The name of the place is so because it was saved from being sucked into the earth during the flood. It is situated 33 kms from Virudhunagar. A number of sacred pools can be seen scattered here. The great saint Ramana Maharishi was born here.

Sivakasi
This town of cottage industries manufactures safety matches and fireworks. It is also well known for litho-printing and calendar manufacture. More than 80% of the total3932 match factories can be found here. About 120 litho printing presses are also located here. This place is situated 25 kms from Virudhunagar.

Srivilliputhur
This is the most important tourist attraction because of the ancient Andal temple. Andal, one of the twelve Vaishnavaite saints called Alwars was born here. They are called Alwars because they are immersed in Vishnu Bhakti and Alwar means one who is immersed.

The 60 metre tower of this temple has been portrayed in the emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Vadabhadra Sayi temple here has beautiful sculptures. The carvings are very delicate is more dominant in the brushing of feminine images, Andal`s hair style. The head ornamentation is a speciality of South India. Here, the images of Rathi, Swan, Parasakthi, a lady playing the Veena, a warrior waving his sword are wonderful examples of ornamentations in stones. The sculptor has depicted the scene of the injuring of Soorpanaga`s nose and breast in the Ramayana very beautifully. This temple near Virudhunagar is one of the biggest and has beautiful woodcarvings. It is situated 71 kms from Madurai and about 48 kms from Virudhunagar.

Rajapalayam
This place is situated adjacent to the temple town of Srivilliputhur. It is the coolest place in the district, which is located almost on the Western Ghats. The dogs of Rajapalayam are well known for their fierceness.

Rajapalayam is an industrial centre and famous for teak industry. Here, the well known places are the Gandhi Kalai Mandram and Library.