Papanasam also spelt as Pavanasam is a famous picnic spot in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It falls under the Ambasamudram Taluk. It is situated 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Tirunelveli. The site features tourist attractions like Thamirabarani River, Agasthiyar Falls, Siva Temple, and Papanasam dam and hydroelectric power plant.

Tirunelveli district is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state in India. It is the largest district in terms of area with Tirunelveli as its headquarters. The district was formed on 1 September 1790 by the British East India Company and comprised the present Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, Tenkasi and parts of Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram district. As of 2011, the undivided district had a population of 30,77,233.