Lok Sabha Constituencies in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu (MP Constituencies) | Chidambaram |
MLA Assembly Constituencies in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu | Ariyalur Jayankondam |
District at a Glance
Ariyalur District came into existence by the bifurcation of Perambalur District as per G.O.(Ms)No.683 Revenue(RA1(1)) Department dated 19.11.2007. It is bounded on the North by Cuddalore, South by Thanjavur, East by Cuddalore and Thanjavur and West by Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli districts. Ariyalur has been functioning as a separate District since 23.11.2007.
ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS :
Ariyalur District consists of two Revenue Divisions viz., Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, Four Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Sendurai, Udayarpalayam and Andimadam (Andimadam Taluk is formed as per G.O.(Ms) No. 167 Revenue(RA1(1)) Department dated : 08-05-2017) comprising of 195 Revenue Villages. The District has six blocks viz. Ariyalur, Thirumanur, Sendurai, Jayankondam, Andimadam and T.Palur comprising of 201 Village Panchayats. There are two Municipalities viz. Ariyalur & Jayankondam and two Town Panchayats viz. Udayarpalayam & Varadharajanpettai.
PHYSICAL FEATURES :
Ariyalur District is located in central Tamil Nadu and is 265 K.M. away from Chennai. The District has an area of 1949 Sq.Km.
It is an inland district without any coast line. The District has Vellar River in the North and Kollidam River in the South and it has no well marked natural divisions.
MINERALS AND MINING :
The District is rich in mineral deposits. Celeste, Lime Stone, Shale, Sand Stone, Canker and Phosphate nodules occur at various places in the district. Limestone of sedimentary origin has been found in Ariyalur and Sendurai Taluks. The Limestone is cement grade to plus cement grade in quality and is used in the cement plants. Fire Clay is used for the manufacture of floor tiles, stoneware pipes, fire bricks and in the chemical industry. Jayamkondam in Udayarpalayam Taluk is rich in Lignite, Oil and Gas reserves. Apart from the above major minerals the common use minor minerals viz Red Gravel, Brick Clay, filling earth and Kankar are also found in this District.
PILGRIM CENTRES :
Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi, Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Kovil at Kallankurichi, Siva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Guruvayurapparkovil etc., are some of the most important Hindu Shrines in the District.The Gandaikonda Cholapuram Siva Temple (Brihadeshwara Temple) built by Rajendra Chola son of Raja Raja Chola is almost a miniature of Thanjavur Brihadeshwara Temple. Elakurichi located at a distance of 32 Kms from Ariyalur is famous for the Adaikala Matha Church built by the famous Catholic Missionary Constantino Joseph Beschi popularly known as VEERAMA MUNIVAR.
INDUSTRY :
Eight major Cement factories are located within the district due to the abundant deposits of limestone. The availability of Lignite at Jayankondam and nearby places is a bountiful gift of Mother Nature. Geologists consider the Fossils that are excavated as national assets
District Profile :
1) | GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION | |||||
a) North Latitude Between | : | 10.54o and 11.300 | ||||
b) East Longitude Between | : | 78.40o and 79.300 | ||||
2) | REVENUE ADMINISTRATION | |||||
a) Divisions(2) | : | Ariyalur | ||||
Udaiyarpalayam | ||||||
b) Taluk(3) | : | Ariyalur
Udayarpalayam Sendurai |
||||
c) No. of Firkas | : | 15 | ||||
d) No. of Revenue Villages | : | 195 | ||||
3) | LOCAL ADMINISTRATION | |||||
a) Municipalities(2) | : | Ariyalur
Jayankondam |
||||
b) Town Panchayats(2) | : | Udayarpalayam
Varatharajanpettai |
||||
c) Panchayat Unions(6) | : | Ariyalur
Thirumanur Jayakondam Andimadam T.Palur Sendurai |
||||
d) No. of Village Panchayats | : | 201 | ||||
4) | AREA AND POPULATION | |||||
a) Area (Sq. Kms) | : | 1933.98 | ||||
b) No. of House Hold(2011)
Rural Urban Total |
: : : |
175903 21187 197090 |
||||
c) Population(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
374703 380191 754894 |
||||
d) Urban Population(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
41450 42344 83794 |
||||
e) Rural Population(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
333253 337847 671100 |
||||
f) Population Density /Sq.Km | : | 390 | ||||
g) Children (0-6 Age)(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
42808 38379 81187 |
||||
i) SC Population(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
88076 88154 176230 |
||||
j) ST Population(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
5274 5448 10722 |
||||
k) Literates (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
269582 211022 480604 |
||||
l) Literates in Rural(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
237071 182342 419413 |
||||
m) Literates in Urban(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
32511 28680 61191
|
||||
5) | WORKERS | |||||
a) Total Workers
Male Female Total |
: : : |
212547 147304 359851 |
||||
b) Total Workers in Rural(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
190203 138769 328972 |
||||
c) Total Workers in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
22344 8535 30879 |
||||
6) | NON-WORKERS | |||||
a) Total Non-Workers(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
162156 232887 395043 |
||||
b) Total Non-Workers in Rural(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
143050 199078 342128 |
||||
c) Total Non-Workers in Urban(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
19106 33809 52915 |
||||
7) | MAIN WORKERS | |||||
a) Main workers (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
173193 99048 272241 |
||||
b) Main workers in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
154523 92907 247430
|
||||
c) Main workers in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
18670 6141 24811 |
||||
d) Cultivators (Main) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
63868 31044 94912 |
||||
e) Cultivators (Main) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
62339 30748 93087 |
||||
f) Cultivators (Main) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
1529 296 1825 |
||||
g) Agricultural Labourers (Main) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
56334 49918 106252 |
||||
h) Agricultural Labourers (Main) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
53963 48686 102649 |
||||
i) Agricultural Labourers (Main) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
2371 1232 3603 |
||||
j) Household Industry (Main) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
6437 4319 10756
|
||||
k) Household Industry (Main) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
5352 3480 8832 |
||||
l) Household Industry (Main) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
1085 839 1924 |
||||
m) Other workers (Main) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
46554 13767 60321 |
||||
n) Other workers (Main) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
32869 9993 42862 |
||||
o) Other workers (Main) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
13685 3774 17459 |
||||
8) | MARGINAL WORKERS | |||||
a) Marginal workers (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
39354 48256 87610 |
||||
b) Marginal workers in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
35680 45862 81542 |
||||
c) Marginal workers in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
3674 2394 6068
|
||||
d) Cultivators (Marginal) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
6675 5725 12400 |
||||
e) Cultivators (Marginal) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
6288 5587 11875 |
||||
f) Cultivators (Marginal) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
387 138 525 |
||||
g) Agricultural Labourers (Marginal) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
24046 36539 60585 |
||||
h) Agricultural Labourers (Marginal) in Rural(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
22880 35386 58266 |
||||
i) Agricultural Labourers (Marginal) in Urban(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
1166 1153 2319 |
||||
j) Household Industry (Marginal)(2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
1140 1668 2808 |
||||
k) Household Industry (Marginal) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
832 1371 2203
|
||||
l) Household Industry (Marginal) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
308 297 605 |
||||
m) Other workers (Marginal) (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
7493 4324 11817 |
||||
n) Other workers (Marginal) in Rural (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
5680 3518 9198 |
||||
o) Other workers (Marginal) in Urban (2011)
Male Female Total |
: : : |
1813 806 2619 |
||||
9) | LAND CLASSIFICATION (2015-2016) | |||||
a) Forest | : | 739.495 | ||||
b) Uncultivable Waste | : | 8522.605 | ||||
c) Non Agricultural Uses | : | 32415.790 | ||||
d) Cultivable waste Land | : | 3674.925 | ||||
e) Permanent Pasture and Grass Land | : | 1291.285 | ||||
f) Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves | : | 23867.585 | ||||
g) Current Fallows | : | 6666.045 | ||||
h) Other Fallows | : | 18025.145 | ||||
i) Net Cultivated Area | : | 98195.275 | ||||
10) | DETAIL OF CROP AREA (2015-2016) | |||||
Gross Area Cultivated
Irrigated Un-irrigated Total |
: : : |
43527.915 65317.935 108845.850
|
||||
Net Area Cultivated
Irrigated Un-irrigated Total |
: : : |
36446.555 61748.720 98195.275 |
||||
Area Cultivated More than once
Irrigated Un-irrigated Total |
: : : |
7081.360 3569.215 10650.575 |
||||
11) | AREA OF CROP CULTIVATED | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | |||
a) Cereals | ||||||
Paddy | : | 23107.625 | 2408.805 | |||
Cholam | : | 775.230 | 304.225 | |||
Cumbu | : | 721.420 | 708.190 | |||
Ragi | : | 38.600 | 40.770 | |||
Maize | : | 14825.350 | 17246.800 | |||
Varagu | : | 150.850 | 174.545 | |||
b)Pulses | ||||||
Red gram | : | 364.505 | 271.220 | |||
Black gram | : | 3966.445 | 4985.905 | |||
Green gram | : | 3.770 | 1.550 | |||
Horse gram | : | 4.500 | 5.165 | |||
Cow pea | : | 1.020 | 0.000 | |||
c) Spices and Condiments | ||||||
Chillies | : | 224.340 | 211.375 | |||
Coriander | : | 30.915 | 27.590 | |||
Turmeric | : | 38.885 | 33.940 | |||
Tamarind | : | 308.415 | 301.835 | |||
d) Sugar crops | ||||||
Sugar cane | : | 7493.050 | 6146.975 | |||
Palmyarh | : | 9.485 | 7.980 | |||
e) Fresh Fruits | ||||||
Banana | : | 156.080 | 177.765 | |||
Mango | : | 551.850 | 528.160 | |||
Jack Fruit | : | 116.775 | 120.190 | |||
Water Melon | : | 222.525 | 137.140 | |||
f) Citrus Fruits | ||||||
Lemon | : | 42.230 | 38.330 | |||
g) Dry Fruits | ||||||
Cashew Nut | : | 30282.915 | 30342.725 | |||
h) Vegetables | ||||||
Tapioca | : | 302.970 | 283.155 | |||
Onion | : | 106.875 | 68.495 | |||
Brinjal | : | 219.610 | 338.715 | |||
Ladies Finger | : | 106.255 | 135.435 | |||
Bitter Gourd | : | 84.300 | 117.400 | |||
Ash Gourd | : | 57.910 | 66.520 | |||
Drum stick | : | 687.870 | 812.955 | |||
i) Cotton | : | 13376.145 | 9189.695 | |||
j) Oil Crop | ||||||
Groundnut | : | 8966.945 | 8593.765 | |||
Gingelly | : | 1134.505 | 608.345 | |||
Coconut | : | 330.435 | 310.230 | |||
Sunflower | : | 274.370 | 114.100 | |||
Palm Oil | : | 93.755 | 73.605 | |||
k) Medicinal crops | ||||||
Mozhi Kizhangu (Kanvazhi Kizhangu) | : | 120.630 | 82.85 | |||
l) Flowers | : | 161.480 | 168.570 | |||
m) Misc. Non food Tree crops | : | 1289.010 | 1356.115 | |||
n) Fodder crops | : | 156.940 | 110.065 | |||
12) | AREA OF FOOD AND NON FOOD CROP | |||||
a) Food Crops
Irrigated Un-irrigated Total |
: : : |
35578.335 52584.140 88162.475 |
||||
b) Non- Food Crops
Irrigated Un-irrigated Total |
: : : |
7949.580 12733.795 20683.375
|
||||
13) | SOURCE WISE IRRIGATION AREA | GROSS AREA | NET AREA | |||
a) Canals | : | 7973.91 | 7347.86 | |||
b) Ponds/Tanks | : | 2902.50 | 2628.92 | |||
c) Tube Well/Bore Well | : | 26647.59 | 21504.18 | |||
d) Open Well | : | 6003.92 | 4965.61 | |||
Total Irrigated Area | : | 43527.92 | 364463.57 | |||
14) | DETAILS OF CANALS/RIVER | |||||
Thirumanur Block | : | 1) Pullambadi Canel
2) Nanthiyar |
||||
T.Palur | : | 1) Ponnaru | ||||
15) | BLOCK WISE IMPORTANT LAKE/TANK | |||||
Ariyalur | : | 1) Nagamangalam Andi Eri
2) Kallankurichi Eri 3) Ariyalur Sitheri 4) Vilankudi Periya Eri 5) Vellur Periya Eri 6) Thelur Periya Eri 7) Rayampuram Eri 8) Agaram Periya Eri 9) Uppuodai Periya Eri |
||||
Thirumanur Block | : | 1) Arasan Eri
2)Vettakudi Eri 3) Thoothur Eri 4) Manodal Eri 5) Sukkiran Eri 6) Vannan Eri |
||||
Jayankondam Block | : | 1) Pon Eri
2) Valavan Eri 3) Pandian Eri 4) Veeramangudi Odai Eri |
||||
T.Palur Block | : | 1) Sripuranthan Periya Eri
2) Karaikurichi Kovathattai Eri 3) Sundakudi Eri |
||||
Andimadam Block | : | 1) Kallankuli Eri
2) Kattathur Periya Eri 3) Anikuthichan Eri 4) Sathanapattu Eri 5) Vilanthai Periya Eri 6) Periya Krihnapuram Periya Eri |
||||
Sendurai Block | : | 1) Nakkampadi Periya Eri
2) Kulmur Periya Eri 3) Sendurai Periya Eri 4) Nallanayagapuram Eri 5) Eachankattu Periya Eri 6) Thalavai Periya Eri |
||||
16) | DETAILS OF LAND HOLDING (9THAGRICULTURE CENSUS 2010-2011)
|
No. of Land Holders | Area | |||
a) Marginal (below 1 Hect.)
SC ST Institution Other Total |
: |
17060 246 58 161692 179056 |
4827.95 83.83 22.73 53679.75 58614.26 |
|||
b) Small (1 Hect.- 2 Hect)
SC ST Institution Other Total |
: |
956 21 18 20611 21606 |
1235.86 27.81 25.53 28605.62 29894.82 |
|||
c) Semi Medium (2 Hect.- 4 Hect)
SC ST Institution Other Total |
: |
156 8 17 8139 8320 |
401.87 19.08 48.75 21962.44 22432.14 |
|||
d) Medium (4 Hect.- 10 Hect.)
SC ST Institution Other Total |
: |
7 2 7 1896 1912 |
34.44 9.39 38.74 10129.07 10211.64 |
|||
e) Large (above 10 Hect.)
SC ST Institution Other Total |
: |
0 0 10 103 113 |
`
0 0 271.91 1549.66 1821.57 |
|||
17) | ANIMAL HUSBANDARY(2015-2016) | |||||
a) Veterinary Hospital | : | 2 | ||||
b) Veterinary Dispensaries | : | 40 | ||||
c) Clinician Centres | : | NIL | ||||
d) Sub Centres | : | 1 | ||||
e) Mobile Units | : | 1 | ||||
f) Animals treated | : | 963340 | ||||
g) Castration performed | : | 31882 | ||||
18) | LIVE STOCK AND POULTRY POPULATION (2015-16) | |||||
a) Cattle | : | 154842 | ||||
b) Buffaloes | : | 3869 | ||||
c) Sheep | : | 43495 | ||||
d) Goat | : | 233691 | ||||
e) Poultry | : | 175428 | ||||
19) | DAIRY DEVELOPMENT | |||||
a) No. of Co-Operative Societies | : | 105 | ||||
b) Milk Production (Lakh litres) | : | 261.43 | ||||
c)Value of Production | : | 69773468 | ||||
20) | FISHERIES | |||||
a) Inland Fish Production | : | 3102000Kg. | ||||
b) No. of Families engaged in fishing | : | 498 | ||||
21) | CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES | |||||
PACB | : | 64 | ||||
PARDB | : | 2 | ||||
M.SOCIETY | : | 1 | ||||
STORE | : | 2 | ||||
STUDENT | : | 6 | ||||
EMPLOYEES | : | 13 | ||||
URBAN BANK | : | 2 | ||||
LABOUR | : | 1 | ||||
22) | MEDICAL AND HEALTH | |||||
a) Hospitals | : | 4 | ||||
b) Dispensaries | : | 1 | ||||
c) Primary Health Centre | : | 38 | ||||
d) Health Sub-centre | : | 117 | ||||
23) | EDUCATION | |||||
a) Arts and Science College | : | 4 | ||||
b) Engineering College | : | 4 | ||||
c) Primary School | : | 409 | ||||
f) Middle School | : | 129 | ||||
g) High School (Included CBSE and Spl. school) | : | 96 | ||||
h) Higher Secondary School | : | 72 | ||||
l) Polytechnic | : | 3 | ||||
m) ITI(Govt) | : | 2 | ||||
n) Teacher Training Inst. | : | 6 | ||||
24) | TEMPERATURE | |||||
Minimum | : | 12.0 0 | ||||
Maximum | : | 39.60 | ||||
25) | RAINFALL | |||||
South West Monsoon | : | 263.2 mm | ||||
North East Monsoon | : | 681.2 mm | ||||
Winter Season | : | 0.0 mm | ||||
Hot Season | : | 89.4 mm | ||||
26) | SOIL CLASSIFICATION | |||||
a) Lateritic Soil | : | 1) Andimadam (All villages)
2) Jayankondam (All Villages) 3) Sendurai (Eastern Part) |
||||
b) Black Soil | : | 1) Sendurai (Western Part)
2) Ariyalur (All villages) 3) Thirumanur (Western Part) |
||||
c) Alluvial Soil | : | 1) Thirumanur (Easter Part)
2) T.Palur (Southern part) 3) Sendurai (Northern Part) |
||||
d) Red sandy Soil | : | 1) T.Palur (Northern Part) | ||||
27) | MINING AND QUARRYING | |||||
No. of Mining Lease | : | 61 | ||||
No. of Quarrying Lease | : | 29 | ||||
Limestone Production | : | 12802710(Tonnes) | ||||
Fire Clay | : | 283200 | ||||
Gravel(Load) | : | 227575CBM | ||||
Earth | : | 16200CBM | ||||
28) | TELEPHONE | |||||
a) Telephone exchanges | : | 25 | ||||
b) Equipped Capacity | : | 22992 | ||||
c) Direct Exchange Lines | : | 6362 | ||||
d) Telephones in use | : | 6362 | ||||
e) Public Call office with STD/ISD | : | 89 | ||||
29) | POST OFFICE | |||||
a) Ariyalur | : | 23 | ||||
b) Thirumanur | : | 24 | ||||
c) Jayankondam | : | 23 | ||||
d) T.Palur | : | 19 | ||||
e) Andimadam | : | 21 | ||||
f) Sendurai | : | 27 | ||||
30) | BANKS | |||||
a) Public Sector Bank | : | 11 | ||||
b) Co-op Banks | : | 2 | ||||
c) Private Banks | : | 8
|
||||
31) | ELECTRICITY | |||||
a) Power consumption (M.U.)
1) Industries 2) Domestic 3) Commercial 4) Public lighting and public works |
: : : : |
4.40 106.33 18.60 29.05 |
||||
b) Agricultural Pump set Electrification | : | 13230 | ||||
32) | HANDLOOM | |||||
a) No. of Societies
Jayankondam Andimadam Sendurai T.Palur |
: : : : |
18 5 3 4 |
||||
b) Production
Cotton Cloth Length Value in Lakhs |
: : |
15.821 (Meter in Lakhs) 1310.83 |
||||
33) | REGISTERED MOTOR VEHIELES(2015) | |||||
a) Commercial
Auto Rickshaw Motor Cab Maxi Cab School Bus Ambulance Light Commercial Vehicle Lorry(State Permit) Lorry(National Permit) Articulated Vehicle (State Permit) Articulated Vehicle(National Permit) Tractor/Trailer |
: : : : : : : : : : : |
45 31 69 33 — 198 350 81 14 18 7 |
||||
b) Non Commercial
Motor Cycle Scooter Moped Motor Car Tractor |
: : : : |
6271 1252 3458 190 224 |
||||
c) Driving License
Two Wheeler Four Wheeler HMV |
: : : |
6249 3331 388 |
||||
34) | NUTRITIOUS MEAL PROGRAMME | No. of Centres | ||||
a) PTMGR | : | 567 | ||||
b) ICDS | : | 774 | ||||
35) | VITAL STATISTICS | Male | Female | |||
Live Birth | : | 5352 | 5178 | |||
Still Birth | : | 58 | 48 | |||
Death Below one year | : | 57 | 45 | |||
Other Deaths | : | 3334 | 2386 | |||
36) | STUDENT HOSTELS | |||||
a) MBC and DC
Boys Girls Total |
: : : |
14 3 17 |
||||
b) BC
Boys Girls Total |
: : : |
8 7 15 |
||||
b) SC
Boys Girls Total |
: : : |
15 7 22 |
||||
37) | LEGISLATURE | |||||
a) Assembly
Elected Nominated |
: : |
2 — |
||||
b) Lok sabha MP | : | — | ||||
c) Rajya Sabha MP | : | — | ||||
38) | POLICE AND PRISION | |||||
a) Police Station(General) | : | 16 | ||||
b) Police Station (Women) | : | 2 | ||||
3) Sub-Jail | : | 2 | ||||
39) | RATION | |||||
a) Full time Shop | : | 261 | ||||
b) Part Time | : | 179 | ||||
c) Total | : | 440 | ||||
40) | LEGAL SERVICE | |||||
Principal District Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Additional District Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Fast Track Mahila Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Sub Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Special Court, No.I Jayankondam. | : | 1 | ||||
Special Court, No.II, Jayankondam. | : | 1 | ||||
Principal District Munsif Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Additional District Munsif Court, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
District Munsif Court, Jayankondam. | : | 1 | ||||
Judicial Magistrate Court, No.I Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Judicial Magistrate Court, No.II, Ariyalur. | : | 1 | ||||
Judicial Magistrate Court, Jayankondam. | : | 1 | ||||
41) | LIBRARY | |||||
a) District Library | : | 1 | ||||
b) Branch Library | : | 21 | ||||
c) Village Library | : | 16 | ||||
d) Part Time Library | : | 24 | ||||
42) | PILGRIM CENTRES | |||||
a) Ariyalur | : | 1) Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple | ||||
b) Thirumanur | : | 1) Sri Vaithiyanathan Swamy Temple
2) Veerama Munivar Church |
||||
c) Jayankondam | : | 1) Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple |
Tourist Places :
MELAPALUVUR & KILAIYUR :
The ancient name of this village was Mannuperumpaluvur, Periyapaluvur and Melaipaluvur. It was the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar Chiefs who were from Kerala and ruled Ariyalur area as feudatories of the Chola Kings from Aditya I to Rajendra Chola I. Paluvettaraiyar Kumaran Kandan , Kumaran Maravan, Kandan Amudan and Maravan Kandan were some of the important Kings of this family. The Sundaresvarar temple in this place dates back to the period of Aditya Chola – I. Its name was Pagaividai Isvaram.
The eastern part of this village is called Kilaiyur which was called as Avani Kandarvapuram during the period of the Cholas. It was a mercantile town of itinerant trade guilds. The Siva temple at Kilaiyur was called Avani gandarva Isvaram and built in A.D. 884 during the 13th year o f Aditya –I by Paluvettaraiyar chief Kumaran Kandan. This temple is one of the finest stone temples and one of the best preserved early Chola temples offering different architectural styles with an array of beautiful and charming sculptures. Chola Kings had marital alliances with the Paluvettaraiyar family. Parantaka Chola married Arumolinangai who was the daughter of the Paluvettaraiyar Chief Kumaran Maravan and the Chola King Arinjaya Chola was born to this princess. Uttamachola (970-986) also married a princess of this family. Panchavanmadevi, wife of Rajaraja –I was also a native of Avani Kandarvapuram and she was a dancing girl of the temple. The Chola Kings seem to have had their minting factory at this Capital.
KILAPALUVUR :
This place formed a part of the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar. It was called as Sirupaluvur, a Brahmadeya village in Kunra Kurram. Poems to the Alanduraiyar temple here were sung by Thirugnanasambandar during the 7th Century A.D. It is said that the Sage Parasurama did penance in this place and got rid of his sins of having killed his Mother. This temple was worshipped by the Malayali Brahmins during the period of Saint Sambandar. It was built of stone during the period Parantaka Chola – I and Uttama Chola .
THIRUMALAPADI :
The antiquity of this place goes back to the Sangam Period. It was an army camp of the valiant Malavar Clan of the Sangam Age and hence called Malavar-padi and later as Thirumalapadi. The Siva temple of this place called Vaidyanatha Swami was worshipped and sung by the Devaram Nayanmars viz., Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. It was also visited by Ayyadigal Kadavarkon who praised it in his hymns of Shetravenba. This saint has been identified with the Pallava king Simhavarman(540-558), the grandfather of Mahendra Varman pallava (598-630). It is believed that the Deity of this place appeared in the dream of Saint Sundarar and asked him to visit this place and praise Him and hence the saint came to this temple and sung peons in his famous Devaram hymns ‘Ponnar meniyane’.
The Siva temple was built of stone during the period of Aditya–I (871-907). Rajaraja–I ordered for its rebuilding and was completed by his son Rajendra–I. Again it was repaired by the Hoysala king Viranarasimha in A.D. 1235-36. The Queens of Aditya–I, Rajaraja–I, and Rajendra–I made gifts to the temple in the form of lands and ornaments. The first and second gopuras of this temple were built during the periods of the Pandyas and Cholas respectively. The famous festival celebrated in this Temple is the marriage for Nandi (nandi kalyanam). It is a popular belief in this area that impediments in getting married will be overcome if they see the marriage festival of Nandi Devar.
KAMARASAVALLI :
The Soundaresvarar temple with goddess Valambal in this village was built during the period of Sundra Chola in A.D. 962. Local traditions say that it was the place where Rathi did penance and got back her husband Manmatha and hence the village name Kama-rathi-valli. A village called Alagiyamanavalam is located east of this village. It is held that it was named after the beautiful husband of Rathi i.e., Alagiyamanavalan (beautiful husband-manmathan.) A beautiful bronze image of Rathi is also preserved in this temple. Another story preserved in this temple is that Karkotaka, the serpent King, got relieved of his curse by worshipping Lord Siva in this village and hence the God of the temple is called as Karkodaka Isvaram. A slab with figures depicting this lore is also preserved in this temple. There are more than 40 inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Hoysala periods in this temple. Inscriptions mention this temple name as Tirunallur Srikoyil Mahadevar, Tirunallurparamesvarar and Tirukkarkotaga Isvarattu Mahadevar. Inscriptions refer to this village as Kamadavallichaturvedi Mangalam a brahmadeya in Mirai kurram. There are beautiful sculptures and bronzes of Chola period in this temple.
ELAKURICHI :
Elakurichi is one of the most famous places of Ariyalur district. It is a sacred pilgrimage place for the Roman Catholics. Constantine Beschi (popularly known as Virama Munivar) from Italy came to Ariyalur region and spread Chirstianity between A.D. 1710 to 1742.The Adaikala Matha temple here was built by him. With the blessings of the Holy Mother Mary he cured a dangerous disease of the Ariyalur Palayakarar. Pleased by the service of Virama Munivar the Chief granted 60 acres of land to the temple. An inscription engraved on a stone slab written in A.D. 1763 is preserved in this Church makes a mention of this grant.
VETTAKUDI – KARAIVETTI BIRD SANCTUARY :
The Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary with an area of 453.71 ha. has been notified under section 18(1) of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as per Government Order No.219 E&F (FR.VI) Dept dt. 10.06.1997. The sanctuary is basically an irrigation tank that receives water from the Mettur dam from September onwards which is supplemented by the northeast monsoons from October till January. The sanctuary is one of the most important fresh water feeding ground for migratory water birds in the state of Tamil Nadu. One of the largest tanks in the state, it has recorded the largest congregation of water birds among all the tanks in the state. Of the 188 species of birds recorded in the sanctuary, 82 are water birds. Among the important visitors to the tank is the endangered Bar Headed Goose. The best time to visit the sanctuary for bird watching is April-May.
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