| Eraniel | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Image Alt: | Eraniel |
| Pushpin Map: | India Tamil Nadu |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Tamil Nadu, India |
| Coordinates: | 8.2°N 77.3°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Tamil Nadu |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kanyakumari |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 10 |
| Population Total: | 9554 |
| Population As Of: | 2001 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code: | 629802 |
| Registration Plate: | TN 74, TN 75 |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Tamil |
Eraniel is a panchayat town in Kanyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is of major commercial and political importance in the history of South India, as it was the seasonal capital of the affluent Venad and later Travancore kingdoms until the seventeenth century, when Padmanabhapuram and Thiruvananthapuram rose to prominence. Currently it is known for its archaeological importance for the ruins of the dilapidated Eraniel Palace.
Eraniel is located at 8.2°N 77.3°W.[1] It has an average elevation of 10 meters (32 feet). It is near to Thuckalay. Eraniel's ancient name is Eranyasinga nalloor.
Eraniel is a small settlement which sprawls over an area of around 3 km2. It is bounded in the north by Thalakkulam and in the east by Villukuri. Eraniel is around 72 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 7 km from Colachel Port. Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, is nearly 32 km from the town. Nearby tourist destinations include Padmanabhapuram Palace (was the capital of Travancore). In 1745, the capital was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram.
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 72 km away. Eraniel Railway Station serves the town. Eraniel can be approached by road from Nagercoil, Muttam and Colachel.
See main article: Eraniel Palace. Eraniel has a small palace located near Eraniel Gramam. The palace compound which spreads over slightly more than three-and-one-half acres only now consists of three identifiable parts – the Padippura or the majestic entrance way (now in total ruins), the main palace (also called Kuthiramalika) and the vasanthamandapam (spring pavilion)[2] [3] .[4] [5]
India census,[6] Eraniel had a population of 9844. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Eraniel has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 80%. In Eraniel, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Government Higher Secondary School Eraniel (English Medium)
Government High School for Girls Eraniel(English Medium)
Government Middle School(Kotayakam)(English Medium)
Government Middle School(Eraniel Jn)(English Medium)
Government Higher Secondary School Kannatuvilai
Uma Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Alwarcoil & Madavilagam (English Medium)
Mothers Kidzee Pre School, Malkarai-Eraniel(English Medium)
All buses from Thingalnagar bus stand will pass through Eraniel. Many buses run from Nagercoil via Eraniel. There are also buses to Chennai from Eraniel. Eraniel railway station (ERL) (comes under Trivandrum Railway Division). Trains include Ananthapuri Express, Island Express, Guruvayur -Chennai Mail, Kanyakumari to Mumbai CST Express. Daily local trains from Nagercoil to Trivandrum also stops at Eraniel. A computerized railway reservation counter has now started in Eraniel Railway Station. Passengers can book railway tickets for any route from this station.
Following banks have their branches serving the village.