Arakkonam

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  ?Arakkonam
Tamil Nadu • India
Map indicating the location of Arakkonam
Thumbnail map of India with Tamil Nadu highlighted
Location of Arakkonam
Coordinates: 13°06′00″N 79°40′00″E / 13.1, 79.666667
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Vellore
Population 82,500 (2006)

Coordinates: 13°06′00″N 79°40′00″E / 13.1, 79.666667 Arakkonam (also "Arakonam") (Tamil: அரக்கோணம்) is a mid-sized town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with a population of about 77,000. This town is located in the Vellore District about 69km (via rail) from the state capital of Chennai.

Arakkonam is supposedly one of the hottest towns in India (next to Vellore), where the mercury can exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in peak of the summer.

Contents

[edit] History

The name of the town is believed to have been derived from the Tamil word Aaru konam meaning hexagon (ancient name was "arunthamizh kundram"), since it has six important places on its six sides. Nearby towns include Kanchipuram, Tiruttani, Tiruvalangadu, Thakkolam,Manavoor and Sholingur. Arakkonam is one of the important railway junctions in South India. The station was known as Arkonam until a few years ago. It is an important junction since the Chennai-Mumbai line branches off from the line going to Bangalore, Coimbatore, and Kerala. There is also a branch line to Chengalpattu via Kanchipuram. However, many trains coming from Bangalore side to Mumbai side bypass the station through an avoiding line.

[edit] Urban structure

Arakkonam is also one of the biggest junctions in Southern Railway. The town has one of the biggest workshops of the railways, known as Engineering Workshop (EWS).

The runway at INS Rajali, a naval Air base of the Indian Navy in Arakkonam is, at 4500 metres, the longest in South Asia. MRF tyres, Ramco cements, L&T cements, TVS, Tamil Nadu Steels, TTL have their plants in the town.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2006 India census,[1] Arakonam had a population of 82,500. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Arakonam has an average literacy rate of 80.2% higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 54% of the males and 46% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Language

Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar Temple Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Temple of Thondai Nadu - One of the 275 temples of lord shiva. Located at 15 Kms towards east of Arakkonam.

[edit] Language

Tamil is the language spoken by the most. Hindi is also spoken, due to the presence of military establishments.

[edit] Governance

Arakkonam is an Indian Parliamentary constituency and is also a Tamil Nadu state assembly constituency. DMK alliance candidate APLF M Jaganmoorthy won Arakkonam for 2006.

[edit] Education

[edit] Schools

  • Govt.AdiDravidar welfare higher secondary school(Boys)
  • Govt.AdiDravidar welfare higher secondary school(Girls)
  • Govt.AdiDravidar welfare primary school
  • Municipality Middle School, Winterpet
  • St. Andrews Higher Secondary School
  • CSI Central Higher Secondary School
  • Govt. Boys Hr. Secondary School
  • Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Valluvar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Steelplant Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • SMS Vimal Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Vivekanada Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Bharathidasanar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Dr. V. G. N Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Selvam Matriculation Higher sec. school
  • * * Mahathma Gandhiji visited to Govt.AdiDravidar welfare primary school. The ADW schools only serve to the poor and downdradden.

Andrew's High School, in the center of the town, is one of the oldest schools in India, having recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Nearly 3000 students study at this school. wisdom nursery school

[edit] Colleges

  • Sri Krishna Polytechnic, Near Mangammapet gate
  • Arakkonam College of Arts and Science
  • Jaya Arts and Science College (near MRF)
  • Shakir
  • Mercury college of Arts and Science, kummpinipet

[edit] Industries

  • Ramco Cement Factory
  • Tiruvalangadu Sugar Factory
  • Denny Steelplant
  • Ultratech cements
  • MRF Ltd.
  • Spinnig Mills
  • TVS
  • TTL

[edit] Nearby towns/cities

Arakkonam
Next station east:
Puliyamangalam		 Chennai suburban railway: West line Next station west:
Chitteri
Stop number: 29 KM from starting: 68
These are the stations of Chennai suburban railway – West line
Chennai Central · Basin Bridge · Vyasarpadi Jeeva · Perambur · Perambur Carriage Works · Perambur Loco Works · Villivakkam · Korattur · Pattaravakkam · Ambattur · Thirumullaivoil · Annanur · Avadi · Hindu College · Pattabiram · Pattabiram E Depot · Thiruninravur · Veppampattu · Sevvapet Road · Puttlur · Tiruvallur · Egattur · Kadambattur · Senjipanambakkam · Manavur · Tiruvalangadu · Mosur · Puliyamangalam · Arakkonam · Tiruttani

[edit] References

  1. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.