Thengapattanam (also referred to as "Thengapattinam", thennaipattinam" and "thenpattinam" ), named after dense coconut grooves, is a major trade and tourism centre in the painkulam panchayath along the coastal plains of Kanyakumari district.

The world renowned historical research traveler ‘dalami’ refers this place as a ‘harbour town’ in this book written in ad 100.

During this time in the middle of the 17th century, the naval forces headed by the Dutch colonel nicolfwar besieged this town and gained control of it.

[citation needed] The ‘kuntadipattan paarai’ which came under the heavy attack of the Dutch cannons stand out to be a ‘living memorial’ today.

[citation needed] It is worth mentioning here that the famous raja kesavadas, the then divan of the king Rama varma of travancore was brought up in his youth in the well known ‘puthen veedu" here.

The development project mooted to revive AVM Canal Waterways would link Thengapattanam with Kanyakumari in the east and Kasargode in the north-west in Kerala, when it becomes operational.

[citation needed] Thengapattanam is classified under the Seismic Zone III, indicating a moderate risk of damage from earthquakes.

Thengapattanam is a major tourist attraction in the Kanyakumari districtknown for its sea, river, canal, paddy fields, rocky mountains and lush green groves.

The water way mooted by the then travancore government popularly known as avm canal originates from Mangalore in Karnataka and reaches Thengapattinam without any hurdles.

Even now passengers and goods are ferried through this canal to places like Poothurai, Thoothoor, Vallavilai, Neerodi, Kollencode and Poovar.

[citation needed] As one of the few picnic spots in the district, the town contains tiny hill-tops where cool wind blows throughout the year.

[citation needed] The six mosques, including the Valiya Palli, the landmark of this beautiful town, are situated at five vital areas, making it convenient for all the people to come and offer their prayers.

The Valiya Palli, which is at the centre of Thengapattanam, is surrounded on the four sides at the north near the bus stand by Rifai Masjid, at the west byKuzhathu Palli, at the west on the river bank of Valiyar by Attupalli, which is situated on the rocky hill and on the south close to the beach by Muhiyuddin Masjid.

Other than the above, Thengapattinam has closely connected by trade and social relations with Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala State.

A proportionate number of people pursue trade and business activities whereas a large chunk has moved to various Gulf countries to earn their livelihood.

Religious Antiquity Thengapattinam has the unique and rare distinction of being one of the few first places in India where Islam was propagated and accepted during the time of Muhammad.

[citation needed] Islam got firmly rooted here due to the peaceful propagation of the great spiritual leader malik ibn deenar who came from Arabia in the 7th century a.d. through kodungalloor in kerala.

The ancient Arabic history book ‘rihlathul muluk’ states that the headquarters of syed ubaithath kazhi’ appointed as the religious propaganda secretary of the district was located here.