Bodinayakanur

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Bodinayakanur, also called Bodi is a small town located on the foothills of the Western Ghats, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. This town is surrounded by the ranges of Western Ghats on three sides, offering spectacular views of the Ghats. Theni, the nearest market town is 16 kms from Bodi.

1 Origin of the name
2 History
3 Administration
4 Access
5 Economy
6 Tourist places

[edit] Origin of the name

The history behind the name of the place is interesting. Once a wild boar roamed the nearby lowland forest. It often intruded into the town and ruined the farms. So the Rajah of Travancore had announced that the town will be named after the person, who kills the wild boar. So the town has been named as Bodayanayakkanur, after the person Bodayanayakkar, who killed the wild boar. Later it got transformed to Bodinayakanur.

[edit] History

During the nineteenth century, Bodinayakanur was an important place in the Travancore province. There is a small palace built by the Rajah of Travancore. This palace has been built with the Jaipur Palace in mind.

[edit] Administration

Bodinayakanur has the status of a Municipality town and is also the Taluk headquarters, governing nearly 18 villages surrounding it. It falls under the Theni district governance.

[edit] Access

Bodinayakanur stands on the National Highway 49 (NH 49) which connects Tamil Nadu with Kerala. The town is well connected by roads to the nearby cities. It is 100 kms from Madurai. It is also connected to Madurai by a rail route. This route was laid to take the Cardamoms from the town to Madurai market.

[edit] Economy

The farm land provides food crops and the forest land provides cash crops. Along the high altitude of the Western Ghats, the forest has been converted to Tea, Coffee and Cardamom plantations. Cardamom is the main cash crop. The Cardamom produced here is exported to different countries. As a main source of the Cardamom market, Bodi is also called as the Cardamom City.

[edit] Tourist places

This town serves as a best vantage point for the nearby tourist places. Munnar is four hours away. Bodi Mettu, is an hours journey. Kambam Mettu is four hours journey. Kurankani is 6 kms from here. The best time to visit Kurankani is during October, wherein the ground is fresh by the monsoon rain and the mountain is filled with butterflies. Thekkady, Kodaikanal, Suruli waterfalls, Veerabandi temple are the other places nearby.

The Paramasivan Temple on the top of the small hill, brings people together, during festival season. Anappillaiyar temple, on the banks of the Rettaiyaru stream and Theerthathoti, a famous Murugan Temple are the must see places near by.