The village of Pathamadai, situated 13 kms from Thirunelveli, is known for its palm leaf articles and beautiful hand woven mats (locally called paai) with special kind of grass known as korai. Instead of their main purpose as floor spreads, these mats can be used as table spreads, door and window curtains. Some of these mats can be folded like cloth. Pathamadai is the birth place of Swami Sivanantha, the Saint and Philosopher of Rishikesh.